Chapter 34 - Glossary

Amitabha
The Buddha of "Limitless Light." This is one of the most important and popular Buddhas of the Mahayana, the subject of the Amitabha Sutra, who presides over the Western Paradise [Sukhavati] described in the Sukhavativyuha Sutra. He is the focus of all Pure Land school devotions.

Avalokitesvara (Also Avalokita, in Chinese "Guan Yin," or "Kuan Yin.")
One of the most important Bodhisattvas of the Mahayana. The literal meaning of Avalokitesvara is "He Who Hears the Sounds [Outcries] of the World." He embodies one of the two fundamental aspects of Buddhahood: compassion, in virtue of which he is often given the epithet "Great Compassion." The other fundamental aspect of Buddhahood is wisdom, which is embodied by the Bodhisattva Manjusri. Avalokitesvara is also one of the two helpers of Amitabha Buddha in the Western Paradise (the other is Mahasthamaprapta).

Bodhisattva
In general, this term applies to anyone who has taken the vow to relinquish his or her personal enlightenment in order to work for the benefit of all sentient beings. More specifically, it designates a special class of beings who have not only taken that vow but who also have attained a significant level of realization.

Bon
Pre-Buddhist religion of Tibet.

Buddha

"Awakened One."

1. One who has purified all obscurations and perfected all good qualities.
2. Shakyamuni Buddha.
3. Celestial Awakened Ones, such as Amitabha.
4. The primordially pure nature of one's own mind.

Buddha Dharma - see Dharma

Chakra
Term for the subtle energy centers in the human energy body. The seven principal chakras are:

1. Muladhara (Bottom) chakra-located at the lowest part of the central energy channel, between the root of the genitals and the anus.
2. Svadhishthana (Genital) chakra located in the central energy channel at the root of the genitals.
3. Manipura (Navel) chakra-located within the central energy channel in the region of the navel. In Chinese this is called the Dan-tien
4. Anahata (Heart) chakra-located in the heart region within the central energy channel.
5. Vishuddha (Throat) chakra-located at the lower end of the throat.
6. Ajna (Brow Point) chakra-located in the space between the eyebrows.
7. Sahasrara (Crown) chakra-located at top of the crown of the head.

Charm
"Fu-lu" or sometimes simply "Fu". Chinese magical talismans used by many schools of religious Taoism. Fu-lu are strips of paper inscribed with symbols that resemble Chinese writing. They protect the wearer against illness and ward off demons.

Deva
A long-lived celestial being or god.

Dharma
"That which is firmly established." The doctrine and path taught by the Buddha. Truth.

Dharma Body - see Three Bodies

Divine Hearing - see Six Transcendental Powers

Feng Shui
"Wind and water." The study of the spiritual energy of a geographical area; geomancy.

Five Precepts
Refrain from killing; refrain from taking intoxicants; refrain from committing adultery; refrain from engaging in double talk or gossip; refrain from stealing.

Five Vehicles
Method for entering the realms of humans, heavens, Sravaka, Pratyek Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Four Preliminary Practices
The practices of Great Homage, Mandala Offerings, Fourfold Refuge, and Vajrasattva.

Karma

1. "Causality." The Law of the Universe; as one sows, so shall one reap, independent of personal belief systems or expectations. The basis of all Buddhist teaching, it is infallible but operates on many levels at once.
2. "Action." Acts of one's body, speech, mind and/or the phenomenal world which, being one in nature, are completely interdependent .

Karmic -
Adjective of karma

Maha
Great, huge.

Mahamudra
One of the highest teachings of the Vajrayana which, in Tibet, is transmitted especially in the Kagyupa school.

Mala
A string of beads that is used to count repetitions in the recitation of mantras, and the name of Buddha. The number of beads in a Buddhist mala is 108.

Mantra
A power-laden syllable or series of syllables that manifests certain cosmic forces and aspects of the Buddhas.

Sometimes also the name of a Buddha.

Mara
"Destroyer." Any foe or obstacle to inner purification and maturation. Shakyamuni Buddha graphically described an onslaught of "Lord Mara's armies" as being seductive, confusing, and terrifying. However, by remaining in samadhi (deep meditation), he completely penetrated all separateness and awakened to primordial awareness.

In Buddhist medicine, any mental poison, physical sickness, or psychic attack is a "mara."

Mudra
Hand gesture that accompanies the performance of liturgies and the recitation of mantras.

Naga
The "dragon." A water deity who lives in the sea.

Padmakumara
"Lotus child." The Bodhisattva(s) who resides in the Maha Twin Lotus Ponds in the Western Paradise.

Paramitas
"Means to reach the other shore." The transcendental. The paramitas, generally translated as "the perfections," are the virtues perfected by a Bodhisattva in the course of his development. There are six of these, see Six Perfections.

Sadhana
Manual of practice of deity yoga.

Samadhi
Meditative concentration/stabilization.

Six Perfections

1. Generosity, giving;
2. Discipline;
3. Patience;
4. Energy or exertion;
5. Meditation;
6. Wisdom.

Six Realms [Six Paths]
Six aspects of samsara, whether experienced subjectively or objectively. These are Hell Being (torture), Hungry Ghost (craving), Animal (stupidity), Human (insecurity), Fighting Demigod (jealousy), and Samsaric God (pride). The latter two are advantageous, but limited. Only in the human realm can one effectively cultivate to Buddhahood.

Six Transcendental Powers
The six supernatural powers mentioned in Buddhism are:

1. Divine vision (instantaneous view of anything, anywhere, in the form-realm);
2. Divine hearing (perception of human and divine voices);
3. Perception of the thoughts of other beings;
4. Recollection of previous existences;
5. Divine speed (power to be anywhere at will);
6. Knowledge concerning the extinction of one's own impurities and passions, which signifies with certainty of having attained liberation.

Tantra
"Weaving." Refers to esoteric spiritual teaching, specifically Buddhist Yoga, in the form of:

1. Ritual initiation text
2. Meditation discipline
3. Class of teachings on transforming awareness.

By connotation, the term refers to the inseparability of Buddha nature, Buddhist yoga, and Realization.

Tantrika
"Practitioner of Tantra." Someone who has formally received Buddhist Refuge and full initiation into a Tantra by an authorized guru. A Tantrika is principally concerned with enacting enlightened awareness by identifying himself or herself with an enlightened being, as opposed to studying the causes of enlightenment as given in the sutras.

Tathagata
"Thus Gone One." Synonym for Buddha. Tathagatagarbha refers to the primordially pure Buddha nature which can neither be created anew nor ever destroyed. However, this nature can remain obscured indefinitely if not purified and developed.

Ten Wholesome Actions
The ability to give up forever killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, slandering, harsh language, frivolous speech, lust, hate and wrong views.

Three Bodies [Trikaya]
Refers to the three bodies possessed by a Buddha, according to the Mahayana view. The basis of this teaching is the conviction that a Buddha is one with the absolute, and he manifests in the relative world in order to work for the welfare of all beings. The three bodies are: 1. Dharmakaya (Dharma Body, body of the great order); the true nature of the Buddha, which is identical with transcendental reality, the essence of the universe. 2. Sambhogakaya (Bliss Body, body of delight); the manifestation in dreams, visions, and divine realms. 3. Nirmanakaya (Transformation Body); the earthly body in which Buddhas appear to men, in order to fulfill the Buddhas' resolve to guide all beings to liberation.

Transformation Body - See Three Bodies

Twelve Links of Cause and Effect

1. Ignorance
2. Action
3. Consciousness
4. Name and Form
5. The six sense organs (i.e. eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind)
6. Contact, touch
7. Sensation, feeling
8. Thirst, desire, craving
9. Laying hold of, grasping
10. Being, existing
11. Birth
12. Old age, death.

Vajra
"Diamond," "Thunderbolt," or "Indestructible." 1) The scepter of spiritual nobility and power, used by Tantrikas, which represents yogis technique. Complementary to the ghanta. 2) Indestructible truth in either the functional aspect of purifying all suffering and destroying all mental distortions, or the absolute aspect of Buddha-nature which is primordial, pristine awareness. This is described as being immovable, indivisible, imperishable, and all-encompassing.

Vajrayana
"Diamond Vehicle." The essence of the Buddha's realization as expressed in direct transformation of human potentials and awareness. It is also another name for Tantrayana, a form of Buddhism utilizing a series of books and methods concerned with special yogis practices for swiftly attaining Buddhahood; the third and final interpretation of the Buddha's teachings.

Toolbox

Back Top Print Bookmark Tell a friend:

© 2008 Padmakumara. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright & Terms of Use.