Property:Gloss-def
From Buddha-Nature
This is a property of type Text.
T
the Sambhogakāya aspect of Akṣobhya. +
After the Great Dharma King Ral-pa-can was killed by
anti-Buddhist factions of the government, his brother, Glang-dar-ma, took the
throne. During his reign, traditional studies were halted, monks forced to return to
lay life, and monasteries closed. Esoteric practitioners continued secretly, and all
lineages were preserved. The Vinaya transmission was maintained in the East through gYo, Rab, and
dMar, Bla-chen, and Klu-mes, who returned to Central Tibet; the Abhidharma
transmission was maintained in the East through lHa-lung dPal-gyi rdo-rje and his
disciples; the Prajñāpāramitā transmission was maintained through sKa-ba dPal-
brtsegs, Cog-ro Klu l-rgyal-mtshan, and Ye-shes sde; the Tantra transmission was
maintained through gNyags Jñānakumāra, gNubs-chen Sangs-rgyas ye-shes, and
the Three Zur. +
the five sciences: language; dialectics; science of
medicine; science of mechanical arts; religious philosophy. +
the state of consciousness between death and rebirth; the 'space' between
waking and sleeping; the 'space' between thoughts, etc. +
the highest ḍākinī who embodies all of Buddha wisdom; she is the
driving force of all wisdom; she is identical to the indestructible and immutable
nature of the vajra, and her activity represents the dynamic power of vajra wisdom. +
earth (the solid), air (the gaseous), fire (the incandescent), water
(the liquid), and space. The five elements can also be associated with the
five Dhyānibuddhas and with the cakras. +
'diamond scepter'; the active symbol of the means for at-
taining wisdom. +
world axis; the mountain at the center of a world-system, ringed by
chains of lesser mountains and lakes, continents, and oceans. +
lit. 'Great Vehicle'; the way of those who
follow the Bodhisattva ideal, intent on achieving liberation for the purpose of
freeing all beings from the misery of saṃsāra. Two paths lead to the realization of
the Bodhisattva: the Sūtrayāna, the way of those who follow the teachings of
the Sutras, and the Mantrayāna, the way of those who follow the teachings of the
Sutras and Tantras. +
also known as Sakra or Kauśika; chief of the Thirty-three Gods who reside
in the heaven of the desire realm known by that name. +
a being in whom the thought of
enlightenment has arisen, one who has formed the intention to strive for complete
enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. After practicing the Dharma
for countless lifetimes, a perfected Bodhisattva is reborn in the world to demon-
strate the way to enlightenment by becoming a Buddha. The Bodhisattvayāna is the vehicle of the Bodhisattva. Beginning with the
generation of the mind dedicated to enlightenment, the Bodhisattva develops
compassion and wisdom, the perfect knowledge of śūnyatā, the emptiness of all
existence. He practices the six pāramitās which begin as ordinary virtues (giving,
morality, patience, effort, meditation, and wisdom) and culminate in perfect
transcendent action. From within the six, four further pāramitās arise: skillful
means, vows, power, and primordial wisdom. The Bodhisattvayāna has ten stages,
the first beginning with entry into the Path of Seeing: the Joyous, the Immacu-
late, the Light-giving, the Radiant, the Invincible, the Realizing, the Far-reaching,
the Immovable, the Beneficial, and the Cloud of Dharma. +
great wrathful tantric deity; wrathful aspect of Avalokiteśvara. +
syllables and words whose sound can communicate the nature of tantric
deities, grant supernormal powers, or lead to purification and realization. +
The ancient kings of Tibet, descended from the Licchavis
of India, ruled Tibet for hundreds of years. There were five dynasties which reigned
before the great Dharma Kings: the Seven Khri beginning with gNya'-khri; the
Two ITengs; the Six Legs; the Eight IDe; and the Five bTsan, the last of whom was
lHa-tho-tho-ri gNyan-btsan. During his reign, the Dharma entered Tibet in the
form of Buddhist relics, dhārariīs, texts, and mantras. Although the king did not
understand the full significance of these things, he recognized the holiness of these
objects, and so kept and preserved them carefully. After lHa-tho-tho-ri, four kings ruled before the first of the Dharma Kings:
Khri-gnyan gzungs-btsan, 'Bro-gnang-lde, sTag-ri gnang-gzigs, and gNam-ri
srong-btsan. +
tutelary deity; a personal protector of one's practice and guide to en-lightenment. +
lit. 'the All-gooď; the Mother of all
the Buddhas of the three times; the female or prajñā (wisdom) counterpart of the
Ādibuddha Samantabhadra. +
it. 'the diamond vehicle'; also known as the
Mantrayāna, Tantrayāna, and Phalayāna, the vehicle of the result. This way offers
innumerable skillful means to enlightenment, based on the Sutras and Tantras.
When followed under the guidance of an accomplished teacher, this rapid path can
result in liberation within one lifetime. Transmitted by the Vidyādhara lineage of
Knowledge-holders, this vehicle produces the deepest and most far-reaching
realization particularly in the Kali Yuga when powerful techniques are necessary to
liberate human consciousness. +
lit. 'Buddha of Boundless Light'; one of
the five Dhyāni buddhas. +
