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The three vehicles of the Buddhist path. Hinayana, the "narrow vehicle," refers to an initial stage of self liberation, with an emphasis on cutting through ego fixation. Mahayana, the "great vehicle," brings realization of emptiness and egolessness of self and others, culminating in the bodhisattva path and the aspiration to liberate all sentient beings. Vajrayana, or "indestructible vehicle," sometimes referred to as "tantra," recognizes wisdom and compassion in the form of the guru, devotion to whom brings enlightenment, the fruition of the Buddhist path.
Three yanas;three yanas;The three vehicles of the Buddhist path. Hinayana, the "narrow vehicle," refers to an initial stage of self liberation, with an emphasis on cutting through ego fixation. Mahayana, the "great vehicle," brings realization of emptiness and egolessness of self and others, culminating in the bodhisattva path and the aspiration to liberate all sentient beings. Vajrayana, or "indestructible vehicle," sometimes referred to as "tantra," recognizes wisdom and compassion in the form of the guru, devotion to whom brings enlightenment, the fruition of the Buddhist path.
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Four preliminary instructions known as the Four Thoughts That Transform the Mind: the preciousness of a human birth, impermanence, the suffering of the six realms of samsaric existence, and karma.
Four Reminders;four reminders;Four preliminary instructions known as the Four Thoughts That Transform the Mind: the preciousness of a human birth, impermanence, the suffering of the six realms of samsaric existence, and karma.
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The three unvirtuous actions of body (killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct); four of speech (lying, sowing discord, harsh speech, and idle chatter); and three of mind (covetousness, wishing harm on others, and wrong view). Their opposites are the ten virtuous actions.
Ten unvirtuous actions;ten unvirtuous actions;The three unvirtuous actions of body (killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct);four of speech (lying, sowing discord, harsh speech, and idle chatter);and three of mind (covetousness, wishing harm on others, and wrong view). Their opposites are the ten virtuous actions.
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One of the deities in the Tibetan vajrayana teachings, known as the embodiment of compassion.
spyan ras gzigs;Avalokiteshvara;Chenrezig;chenrezig;One of the deities in the Tibetan vajrayana teachings, known as the embodiment of compassion.
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The form, formless, and desire realms are the three basic manifestations of samsara. Human beings are born into the desire realm, which expresses itself as the six realms of existence.
Three realms;three realms;The form, formless, and desire realms are the three basic manifestations of samsara. Human beings are born into the desire realm, which expresses itself as the six realms of existence.
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rnam rtog;Discursive thoughts;discursive thoughts;namtok;namtok
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"Awakened heart" or "enlightened mind." It relates to the mahayana principle of loving-kindness and genuine compassion, the generation of which cuts through selfishness and dispels the ignorance that grasps at individual liberation.
byang chub sems;Bodhichitta;jangchub sem;jangchub sem;"Awakened heart" or "enlightened mind." It relates to the mahayana principle of loving-kindness and genuine compassion, the generation of which cuts through selfishness and dispels the ignorance that grasps at individual liberation.
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Three "bodies" of realization — dharmakaya, sambhogakaya, nirmanakaya — connected with mind, speech, and body of existence. Dharmakaya refers to the "body of reality," or fundamental essence; sambhogakaya to the "body of complete enjoyment," or nature of the essence; and nirmanakaya to the "emanated body," the action, or compassion, aspect of nature and essence together. The indivisibility of the three kayas is the ''svabhavikakaya'', also referred to as the "essence body."
Three kayas;three kayas;Three "bodies" of realization — dharmakaya, sambhogakaya, nirmanakaya — connected with mind, speech, and body of existence. Dharmakaya refers to the "body of reality," or fundamental essence;sambhogakaya to the "body of complete enjoyment," or nature of the essence;and nirmanakaya to the "emanated body," the action, or compassion, aspect of nature and essence together. The indivisibility of the three kayas is the ''svabhavikakaya'', also referred to as the "essence body."
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A form of sacred architecture representing the pure presence of the Buddha and embodying essential principles of the body, speech, mind, qualities, and actions of enlightenment.
Stupa;A form of sacred architecture representing the pure presence of the Buddha and embodying essential principles of the body, speech, mind, qualities, and actions of enlightenment.
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One who, through hinayana practices, has gone beyond emotional defilements to attain the lesser fruition of individual liberation, or "arhatship."
Arhat;One who, through hinayana practices, has gone beyond emotional defilements to attain the lesser fruition of individual liberation, or "arhatship."
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The freedoms that make it possible to bring one's human existence to fruition. The first three refer to freedom from birth in the three lower realms. The fourth is freedom from birth in a barbarous place; the fifth, freedom from birth in the god realm; the sixth, freedom from wrong view; the seventh, freedom from birth in a place without a buddha; and the eighth, freedom from being born deaf and mute.
dal brgyad;Eight freedoms;eight freedoms;dal-je;dal-je;The freedoms that make it possible to bring one's human existence to fruition. The first three refer to freedom from birth in the three lower realms. The fourth is freedom from birth in a barbarous place;the fifth, freedom from birth in the god realm;the sixth, freedom from wrong view;the seventh, freedom from birth in a place without a buddha;and the eighth, freedom from being born deaf and mute.
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(2nd cent. C.E.) Indian philosopher/dialectician and originator of the Madhyamika school.
Nagarjuna;(2nd cent. C.E.) Indian philosopher/dialectician and originator of the Madhyamika school.
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Literally, "sending and taking,"a contemplative practice that generates loving-kindness and compassion for sentient beings.
gtong len;tonglen;tonglen;Literally, "sending and taking,"a contemplative practice that generates loving-kindness and compassion for sentient beings.
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gro ba;Sentient beings;sentient beings;drowa;drowa
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Prana energy;prana energy;The wind element, or breath.
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The five individual and five circumstantial endowments of a precious human birth: (i) in a human body; (2) in a "central place"; (3) with senses intact; (4) with right view; (5) with devotion, or irreversible confidence; (6) with the Buddha having been born in this kalpa; (7) with the Buddha having taught the Dharma; (8) in the presence of the Dharma; (9) among practitioners of the Dharma; and (10) with compassion in the hearts of the teachers.
'byor ba bcu;Ten endowments;ten endowments;jorwa chu;jorwa chu;The five individual and five circumstantial endowments of a precious human birth: (i) in a human body;(2) in a "central place";(3) with senses intact;(4) with right view;(5) with devotion, or irreversible confidence;(6) with the Buddha having been born in this kalpa;(7) with the Buddha having taught the Dharma;(8) in the presence of the Dharma;(9) among practitioners of the Dharma;and (10) with compassion in the hearts of the teachers.
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(1646-1714) Also known as Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje, an incarnation of Vairochana and one of the greatest Nyingma lineage holders and discoverers of hidden teachings. He was a teacher/disciple of the fifth Dalai Lama and founder of Mindrolling Monastery in central Tibet.
Terdag Lingpa;terdag lingpa;(1646-1714) Also known as Minling Terchen Gyurme Dorje, an incarnation of Vairochana and one of the greatest Nyingma lineage holders and discoverers of hidden teachings. He was a teacher/disciple of the fifth Dalai Lama and founder of Mindrolling Monastery in central Tibet.
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One of the many names for enlightenment, it refers to removing ignorance that obscures the mind and realizing absolute truth.
Nirvana;One of the many names for enlightenment, it refers to removing ignorance that obscures the mind and realizing absolute truth.
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zhi gnas;Shamatha meditation;shamatha meditation;shine;shine
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The three lower realms (hell realm, hungry ghost realm, and animal realm) and three higher realms (human realm, jealous god realm, and god realm) of samsaric existence. Since the god and asura (jealous god) realms are often considered as one, the six realms are sometimes referred to as five realms.
Six realms;six realms;The three lower realms (hell realm, hungry ghost realm, and animal realm) and three higher realms (human realm, jealous god realm, and god realm) of samsaric existence. Since the god and asura (jealous god) realms are often considered as one, the six realms are sometimes referred to as five realms.
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From the ground of awareness stabilized by shamatha meditation, vipashyana (insight meditation) arises as the wisdom of discernment that recognizes the true nature of all inner and outer phenomena.
lhag mthong;Vipashyana Meditation;vipashyana meditation;From the ground of awareness stabilized by shamatha meditation, vipashyana (insight meditation) arises as the wisdom of discernment that recognizes the true nature of all inner and outer phenomena.
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The confidence that comes from recognizing and being sure about the presence of one's core essence of enlightenment; it brings willingness to train the mind and is connected with devotion.
Irreversible confidence;irreversible confidence;The confidence that comes from recognizing and being sure about the presence of one's core essence of enlightenment;it brings willingness to train the mind and is connected with devotion.
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(1040-1123) Great yogi and poet of Tibetan Buddhism and the Karma Kagyu lineage.
Milarepa;milarepa;(1040-1123) Great yogi and poet of Tibetan Buddhism and the Karma Kagyu lineage.
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The basic qualities of a precious human existence, composed of the eight freedoms and ten endowments.
dal 'byor bco brgyad.;Discursive thoughts;discursive thoughts;daljor choje;daljor choje;The basic qualities of a precious human existence, composed of the eight freedoms and ten endowments.
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From ''bodhi'', meaning "awakening," the actual place where the Buddha attained enlightenment and first taught. Also known as Vajrasana, "land of vajra," or "vajra mind," referring to buddha mind or a situation or place where, upon viewing vajra mind, one could realize one's inherent buddha nature.
Bodhgaya;From ''bodhi'', meaning "awakening," the actual place where the Buddha attained enlightenment and first taught. Also known as Vajrasana, "land of vajra," or "vajra mind," referring to buddha mind or a situation or place where, upon viewing vajra mind, one could realize one's inherent buddha nature.
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The vajrayana teachings given by the Buddha in his sambhogakaya form. Tantra, meaning "continuity," refers to the expression of innate buddha nature in tantric scriptures. Tantra can also refer to all the resultant teachings of vajrayana as a whole.
rgyud;Tantra(s);jud;jud;The vajrayana teachings given by the Buddha in his sambhogakaya form. Tantra, meaning "continuity," refers to the expression of innate buddha nature in tantric scriptures. Tantra can also refer to all the resultant teachings of vajrayana as a whole.
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An eon lasting for thousands of years and made up of four stages: origination, continuation, gradual disintegration, and complete extinction.
bskal pa;kalpa;=kalpa;=kalpa;An eon lasting for thousands of years and made up of four stages: origination, continuation, gradual disintegration, and complete extinction.
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A fully enlightened compassionate being who, through the "superior" motivation and practices of the mahayana path, goes beyond personal liberation to benefit all sentient beings. (See also Three yanas)
Bodhisattva;A fully enlightened compassionate being who, through the "superior" motivation and practices of the mahayana path, goes beyond personal liberation to benefit all sentient beings. (See also Three yanas)
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Attachment, aggression, and ignorance, which arise from basic duality and the initial clinging to a self.
Three poisons;three poisons;Attachment, aggression, and ignorance, which arise from basic duality and the initial clinging to a self.
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The Middle Way teachings of Buddhism, which expose the falsity of the extreme views of nihilism and eternalism.
Madhyamika school;madhyamika school;The Middle Way teachings of Buddhism, which expose the falsity of the extreme views of nihilism and eternalism.
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The energetic or expressive aspect of enlightened mind in the form of a tutelary deity. In Tibetan Buddhism, the focus of one's formal practice might be one of hundreds of such deities. As tutelary deity, the yidam is a personal protector of one's practice and guide to enlightenment.
yi dam;yidam;yidam;The energetic or expressive aspect of enlightened mind in the form of a tutelary deity. In Tibetan Buddhism, the focus of one's formal practice might be one of hundreds of such deities. As tutelary deity, the yidam is a personal protector of one's practice and guide to enlightenment.
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The Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha in whom one takes refuge.
dkon mchog gsum;Three Jewels;three jewels;triratna;könchok sum;könchok sum;The Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha in whom one takes refuge.
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Any cause, or first action, producing some effect or fruition, which then becomes another cause. Awareness of cause and effect brings understanding of karma.
Karma;Any cause, or first action, producing some effect or fruition, which then becomes another cause. Awareness of cause and effect brings understanding of karma.
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That which spins, or moves in circles, referring specifically to the cycle of suffering.
'khor ba;Samsara;khorwa;khorwa;That which spins, or moves in circles, referring specifically to the cycle of suffering.
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