) A method for
developing
bodhicitta.
Kalu Rinpoche
) One who has taken monastic ordination, but without the full range of vows.
Usually, a novice will eventually take full monastic ordination.
Nyingmapa [mying rna pa] (Tib. ) One of the four main traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. For Nyingmapas, Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche or precious Lama) is the central figure in whom they take refuge. The name of their school ("older ones") reflects their adherence to the earliest translations of Buddhist texts into Tibetan.
Obscuration drip pa [sgrib pa] (Tib. ) varat;ta (Skt. ) What is obscured is the true nature of mind. Four levels of obscuration are spoken of in this text:
1. Obscuration of Fundamental Ignorance rna rik pay drip pa [rna rig pa'i sgbrib pa] (Tib. ) avidyavarat;ta (Skt. ) "The mind does not see itself, it is not directly aware of its own nature. "
2. Obscuration of Habitual Tendencies bak chak chi drip pa [bag chags kyi sgrib pa] (Tib. ) vasanavarat;ta (Skt. ) Based on ignorance, mind develops "the habit of ex- periencing reality in terms of subject and object. "
S. Obscuration of Emotional Affliction nyon mong pay drip pa [nyon mongs pa'i sgrib pa] (Tib. ) kldavarat;ta
202 The Dharma
(Skt. ) Confronted by these dualistic projections, mind
reacts with attachment, aversion and bewilderment.
4. Obscuration of Karma lay chi drip pa [las kyi sgrib pa] (Tib. ) karmavaraJ? ,a (Skt. ) Emotional confusion pro- duces physical, verbal, and mental reactions that become habitual and have their own further conse-
quences.
Palpung [dpal spungs] (Tib. ) A major monastic center in Kham, residence of the Situ incarnation lamas. The retreat center started there by Jamgon Kongtrul was presided over later by Kalu Rin- poche.
Paths, The Five
1. Path of Accumulation tso lam [tshogs lam] (Tib. ) sam- bharamarga (Skt. ) The first phase of effort towards enlightenment: purifying one's obscurations, acquiring merit, and achieving emotional and meditative stability-"gathering what we need for the journey. "
2. Path of Application jor lam [sbyor lam] (Tib. ) prayogamarga (Skt. ) Practice of twenty-two of the thirty-seven elements of enlightenment, q. v.
3. Path of Vision tong lam [mthong lam] (Tib. ) dar? anamarga (Skt. ) The first level of Bodhisattva realization. "Instead of seeing things in the ordinary sense, one actually sees the nature of mind. "
4. Path of Meditation gom lam [sgom lam] (Tib. ) bhavanamarga (Skt. ) This path, with the preceding, coincides with the ten stages of Bodhisattva realization.
5. Path of No More Learning mi lop pay lam [mi slob pa'i lam] (Tib. ) a? ai~amarga (Skt. ) Buddhahood.
Peace shi wa [zhi ba] (Tib. ) santi (Skt. ) A synonym for Nirv~a.
Perfection of Wisdom see Prajiiaparamita
Prajnaparamita The "Perfection of Wisdom," a name for the body of Mahayana sutras expounding the doctrine of Emptiness; among
the most famous of these are the Heart Sutra and the Diamond Sutra. Also, the name of the female Buddha (she rap pa rol tu chin ma [she rab pha rol tu phyin ma]) who represents perfect wisdom.
Pratimolqa (Skt. ) so sor tar pa [so sor thar pa] {Tib. ) Originally, the rules and directions for conscientious moral conduct by which the members of the Sangha are to live. In the present context, the word suggests (as the Tibetan says literally) "the discipline of i'ndi'vi'dual li'berati'on. "
Precious Human Birth Human birth that possesses the Eight Freedoms and Ten opportunities. The Eight Freedoms are freedom from birth in any of the eight unrestful states; that is, not to be born:
1. As a hell-being
2. As a yi'dak
3. As an animal
4. Asagod
5. In a society where the Dharma is unknown
6. As a person with wrong views, who believes in neither
Dharma nor karma
7. In an age when no Buddha has appeared
8. As a person suffering from mental or sensory im-
pairments that make it impossible to understand the Dharma
Of the Ten Opportunities, or Resources, five refer to one's personal condition and five to one's environment. One is born:
1. As a human
2. In a country where the Dharma exists
3. With one's senses and intelligence intact
4. Without karmic compulsions to commit evil deeds
5. As a person able to have faith in the Three Jewels
6. In an age in which a Buddha has appeared
7. In an age in which a Buddha has taught the Dharma
8. In an age in which the Dharma has not declined, but en-
dures
9. In a region where many practice the Dharma
Glossary 203
204 The Dharma
10. In a region where others, motivated by faith and kind- ness, will help one in one's practice
The Precious Human Birth is extremely rare; while hell-beings, for instance, are said to be as numerous as atoms, yidaks as the sands of
the Ganges, animals as snowflakes, and gods of the higher realms as stars in the night sky, those having the Precious Human Birth are said to be as rare as daytime stars.
Preliminaries The Ordinary Preliminaries for Mahiimudra are meditations on the Four Thoughts that Tum the Mind (to the Dhar- ma). These are:
1. The Precious Human Birth (q. v. ) with its freedoms and opportunities.
2. Impermanence and the inevitability of death.
3. The pervasiveness of suffering (q. v. ) in sarllsara. 4. The inerrancy of karma.
The four Extraordinary Preliminaries are:
1. Taking Refuge and making prostrations to the Three Jewels and the Three Roots, q. v.
2. Dorje Sempa purification, q. v. 3. Ma~~ala Offering, q. v.
4. Guru Yoga, q. v.
The Ordinary and Extraordinary Preliminaries are together termed Ngondro [sngon 'gro] in Tibetan.
Preta see Yidak
Primordial Awareness see Yeshe
Protectors cho chong [chos skyong] (Tib. ) Embodiments of wisdom, usually represented as wrathful or terrifying in appearance, who are invoked to eliminate obstacles on the path to Enlightenment. They are among the wisdom beings, third of the Three Roots in Va- jrayana refuge. The most important protector for the Kagyii tradi- tion is Mahakala.
Pure Land dak pay shing kam [dag pa'i zhing khams] (Tib. ) The sphere of activity of a Buddha. A Buddha-Realm where sentient be? ings mature towards enlightenment.
Raptu Gawa [rab tu dga' ba] (Tib. ) pramudita (Skt. ) "Total joy:" the first stage [bhumi, q. v. ] of Bodhisattva realization.
Realization see Enlightenment
Realms of Saihs~ra, the Three kam sum [khams gsum] (Tib. )
tridhatu (Skt. )
1. Desire Realm: Extends from the lowest hells up to certain of the gods' realms.
2. Form Realm: The seventeen levels of the gods of form.
3. Formless Realm: Four levels of the formless gods.
Refuge chap [skyabs] (Tib. ) saral)a (Skt. ) To take Refuge (chap su dro wa [skyabs su 'gro ba]) is to make a formal commitment to ac? cept the precepts and protection of the Three Jewels as the way of developing the aspiration for enlightenment. In the Vajrayana, one also takes refuge in the Three Roots.
Renouncing and Accepting pang lang [spangs blang] (Tib. ) Giving up unvirtuous actions and adopting the course of virtuous conduct.
Rek pa [reg pa] (Tib. ) spar? a (Skt. ) Contact, or touch. The sixth Nidana, q. v.
Ri may [ris med] (Tib. ) A syncretic movement in nineteenth century Tibet intended to minimize sectarian rivalry and revitalize spiritual practice by making use of texts, commentaries, and procedures from many different Tibetan traditions. Jamgon Kongtrul, Chokchur Lingpa, Mipham Rinpoche, and Khyentse Wangpo are among the best known of the ri may masters.
Rinpoche [rin po che] (Tib. ) Literally, "precious" one. A title reserved properly for incarnate lamas (see Tiilku) and eminent
Glossary 205
206 The Dharma
spiritual teachers. It is used both as a term of address and as the last element in the name.
Ro chik [ro gcig] (Tib. ) ekarasa (Skt. ) Ro chik is the third of the four phases of Path Mahamudra: One Point, Free from Activity, One Taste, and No More Meditation.
Root Lama tsa way Ia rna [rtsa ba'i bla rna] (Tib. ) A teacher from whom one has received the empowerments, instructions, and precepts that form the core of one's own practice.
Sakya [sa skya] (Tib. ) One of the four major sects of Tibetan Bud? dhism. Its most famous teacher was Sakya Pandita. The lineage stresses intellectual preparation and meditation.
Samldhi (Skt. ) ting nge dzin [ting nge 'dzin] (Tib. ) Meditative con? centration.
Samatha see Shi nay
SambhogakAya (Skt. ) long cho dzok pay ku [long spyod rdzogs pa'i sku] {Tib. ) The illuminating potential of mind. Second of the Three Bodies of a Buddha, it is emanated from the Dharmakaya to benefit sentient beings on the path by providing an example of the goal. The Sambhogakaya manifests only to Bodhisattvas. See the Five Certainties.
Samdrup Tarjay Ling [bsam 'grup dar rgyas gling] (Tib. ) Kalu Rinpoche's monastery in Sonada, a hill town near Darjeeling in West Bengal.
Sam pa [bsam pa] (Tib. ) Literally, "to think about. " Second phase of practice: contemplating what has been taught, and applying it thoughtfully and alertly to one's experience.
Samslra (Skt. ) kor wa ['khor ba] (Tib. ) Cyclic existence, the begin? ningless and endless wheel of rebirth.
Sam ten Bardo [bsam gtan bar do] (Tib. ) The Bardo of meditative stability, equilibrium. See Bardo.
Sangdok Palri [zangs mdog dpal ri] (Tib. ) The Noble Copper- Colored Mountain, the Pure Land of Guru Rinpoche.
Sangye [sangs rgyas] (Tib. ) The Tibetan word for Buddha. It com- bines the notions of complete purification (sangs) and rgyas, expan- sion (that is, of knowledge).
Sangha (Skt. ) gen diin [dge 'dun] (Tib. ) The "assembly of practi? tioners who realize and transmit the [Buddha's] teachings. " (sometimes a distinction is made: the whole body of the Buddhist clergy and Buddhist practitioners is the Sangha, while the Arhats and Bodhisattvas are the Aryasangha, the Noble or Exalted
Assembly. )
Seed Syllable tsik [tshig] (Tib. ) bija (Skt. ) A single syllable conceiv- ed of as the expression of one embodiment of enlightened mind; thus HRII;I is the seed syllable connected with Buddha Amitabha and the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.
Sems [sems] (Tib. ) citta (Skt. ) One of several Tibetan words for mind. More specifically, it can denote the alayavijiiana or Eighth Consciousness.
Sending and Taking tong len [gtong len] (Tib.
) A method for developing bodhicitta. A meditation in which practitioners willingly take on all the pains and burdens of other beings, and willingly give out all that is positive in their own lives, their merit and happiness. The practice was promulgated in Tibet by Atisa.
Se pa [sred pa] (Tib. ) tnva (Skt. ) Craving. The eighth Nidana, q. v.
Shangba [shangs pa] (Tib. ) A lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, found- ed by the scholar-siddha (kay drup [mkhas grub]) Chungpo Naljor in the eleventh century. It emphasizes meditational practice and
Glossary 207
208 The Dharma
teaches the Five Golden Dharmas (Ser cho nga [gser chos lnga)), which include the Six Yogas of Niguma (comparable to the Six Yogas ofNaropa, q. v. ). The Shangba lineage has been important as a source of teachings and practice, rather than as an organized hierarchy or monastic sect, and its influence has been felt by all the traditional schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Kalu Rinpoche is the pres- ent lineage holder of the Shangba teachings.
Shangba Rinchen Dun Ju [shangs pa rin chen bdun rgyud) (Tib. ) The "precious lineage of seven" who established and transmitted the Shangba teachings of Mahamudra.
1. Vajradhara (Dorje Chang [rDo rje' Chang]) 2. Niguma [Ni gu rna]
3. Chungpo Naljor [Khyung po rNal 'byor]
4. Mokchokpa [rMog ! Cog pa]
5. Chergangpa [sKyer sGang pa]
6. Nyentonpa [gNyan sTon pa]
7. Sangye Tonpa [Sangs rgyas sTon pa]
Shavari (Skt. ) Sha wa ri pa [sha ba ri pa] (Tib. ) One of the Indian Mahasiddhas, said to have been a hunter reformed and instructed directly by Chenrezi. Achieving full realization after twelve years of meditation, Shavari chose to remain in this world for the benefit of all beings, and will remain until the next Buddha comes.
Shen pa Shi drel [zhen pa bzhi 'bral] (Tib. ) "Separation from the Four Attachments," a teaching in the form of a simple quatrain, used in the Sakya tradition.
Si pa [srid pa] (Tib. ) bhava (Skt. ) Becoming. The tenth Nidana, q. v.
Six Yogas of Naropa Usual name for the Six Dharmas of Naropa (Naro Chodruk [na ro chos drug]), the yogic practices which con- stitute a basic part of the Kagyii traditions of training. The six,
followed by their Tibetan names, are:
1. Psychic heat (tum mo [gtum mo]) 2. The Illusory body (jii Iii [sgyu Ius]) 3. Dream (milam [rmi lam])
4. Clear Light (o sal ['od gsal])
5. Intermediate States (bar do [bar do])
6. Consciousness Transference (po wa ['pho ba])
Shi nay [zhi gnas] (Tib. ) samatha (Skt. ) Tranquility meditation, which develops calmness of mind. One of the two basic meditations in all traditions of Buddhism, the other being vipasyana (lha tong, q. v. ).
Si pa Bardo [srid pa bar do] (Tib. ) The intermediate stage of Becoming. See Bardo.
Six Realms The six planes of rebirth within Sarhsara:
1. Hells
2. Realm of the Hungry Ghosts (yidaks) 3. Animal Realm
4. Human Realm
5. Realm of the Asuras
6. Realm of the Gods
The last three are called Fortunate Realms, while the first three are called Unfortunate.
Skandhas, The Five pung po nga [phung po lnga] (Tib. ) Five ag- gregates that describe the physical and mental existence of all beings in the Desire Realm:
1. Form (Tib. : zuk [gzugs]; Skt. : nipa)
2. Sensation (Tib: tsor wa [tshor ba]; Skt. : vedana)
3. Recognition (Tib. : du shay ['du shes]; Skt. : sarhjiia)
4. Formation (Tib. : du che ['du byed]; Skt. : sarhskara)
5. Consciousness (Tib. : nam shay [mam shes]; Skt. :
vijiiana)
Skandhas of the Four Labels see Ming shi pung po.
Glossary 209
210 The Dharma
Songtsen Gampo (ca. 569-650) [srong btsan sgam po] (Tib. ) King of Tibet. Tibetan historians considered him an emanation of Chenrezi and a powerful monarch of Asia.
Sufferingdu ngal [sdug bsngal] (Tib. ) dul;lkha (Skt. ) Three types of suffering are described:
1. The all-pervasive fundamental suffering: "the suffering of simply being alive. " (chap pa du je chi du ngal [rkyab pa 'du byed kyi sdug bsngal])
2. The suffering of change Gur way du ngal ['gyur wa'i sdug bsngal]).
S. The suffering of suffering, i. e. , actual pain (du ngal chi du ngal [sdug bsngal kyi sdug bsngal].
SO. nyatl see Emptiness
SO. tra (Skt. ) do [mdo] (Tib. ) A scripture attributed to the Buddha Shakyamuni.
Tantras (Skt. ) jii [rgyud] (Tib. ) The root scriptures of Vajrayana Buddhism. The texts are ascribed to the Buddha Shakyamuni in various of his manifestations, and each usually describes the man? dala and practice associated with a particular enlightened being. The word "tantra" literally means "thread" or "continuity. "
Tara Drolma [sgrol rna] (Tib. ) A female Bodhisattva of Compas? sion, specially associated with the ability to protect her devotees and rescue them from suffering, fears, and dangers.
Targay Gyamtso Rinpoche [dar rgyas rgya mtsho] (Tib. ) First Root Lama of Lama Norlha. Native of the small kingdom of Nang Chen in Kham. He spent sixty years in meditation and retreat, most? ly in seclusion or in the mountains. He was a disciple of Jamgan Kongtrul, who called him "the Milarepa of Go Chi," referring to the monastery with which Targay Gyamtso was connected. He assumed the rainbow body in February 1959.
Tathlgata (Skt. ) de shin shek pa [de bzhin gshegs pa] (Tib. ) The "Thus-gone" one, an epithet for a Buddha.
Tathlgatagarbha (Skt. ) de shin shek pay nying po [de bzhin gshegs pa'i nying po] (Tib. ) The seed of Enlightenment, the potential for Buddhahood in every sentient being.
Terton [gter ston] (Tib. ) A discoverer of hidden texts (ter rna [gter rna]) understood to have been concealed by great teachers of the past in various ways, until the time when they could be understood and applied.
Thirty-seven Limbs of Enlightenment: Four essential recollections.
Four proper attitudes towards what should be renounced and what accepted.
Four bases of supernormal power. Five strengths.
Five faculties.
Seven subsidiary factors. Eightfold Noble Path.
Three Jewels kon chok sum [dkon mchog gsum] (Tib. ) Triratna (Skt. )
1. The Buddha, embodiment of Enlightenment.
2. The Dharma, the Buddha's teaching.
3. The Sangha, the Community of those committed to the
practice of these teachings. This includes the ordinary human Sangha and the Noble Sangha of Bodhisattvas.
Three Roots tsa wa sum [rtsa ba gsum] (Tib. ) In the Vajrayana, refuge is taken in the Three Roots: the Lamas, the Yidams, and the Protectors.
Three Year Retreat lo sum cho sum [lo gsum phyogs gsum] (Tib. ) A fundamental discipline of training and spiritual practice. For
Glossary 211
212 The Dharma
three years, three months, and three days, retreatants devote themselves in seclusion to meditational practice and study.
Tig le [thig le] (Tib. ) Bindu (Skt. ) Literally, a "drop" or "circle," the word has a very wide range of referents. In this text, two usages are to be noted:
1. The circles or dots of light that appear to the mind in certain stages of the Bardo experience.
2. The red and white tig le, as the creative energy of the body, whose control and direction during yogic practice can result in the attainment of stable bliss.
Tilopa (988-1069} Indian Mahasiddha, teacher of Naropa. Tilopa is considered the person in whom the lineage of Mahamudra became manifest. He received the teachings directly from Dorje Chang.
Tong len see Sending and Taking
T o pa [thos pa] (Tib. ) Literally, "to hear. " First of the three phases of practice consisting of hearing (and reading and studying) the teachings.
Tri ['khrid] (Tib. ) Instruction in the proper performance of a Va- jrayana practice. See Empowerment.
Trungpa Rinpoche A line of incarnation Lamas long associated with Surmang [zur mang] Monastery in eastern Tibet. The present tiilku, the eleventh, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, lives and teaches in the West.
Tsor wa [tshor ba] (Tib. ) vedana (Skt. ) Sensation or feeling, the feeling-tone of an experience. The seventh Nidana, q. v.
Tsurpu [mtshur phu] (Tib. ) A great monastery near Lhasa which was the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapas and headquarters of the Kar-
rna Kagyii linage. This function has been fulfilled in recent years by Rumtek monastery in Sikkim.
Tuk say [thugs sras] (Tib. ) Heart-son; a close disciple or successor of a high Lama.
Tiilku [sprul sku] (Tib. ) One of the three types of Nirmat;takaya. It usually denotes a being of high realization who deliberately chooses to be reborn in a specific situation for the benefit of sentient beings. The Dalai Lama and the Gyalwa Karmapa are well known ex- amples.
Unimpededness man ga pa [rna 'gag pa] (Tib. ) One of the three in- trinsic qualities of mind, the other two being Emptiness and Clarity; the manifestation of the inseparable union of mind's essential Emp-
. tiness and natural Clarity; it corresponds to the Nirmat;takaya aspect of Enlightenment. "The intelligence that allows us to make judgments and recognize particular details is a manifestation of mind's Unimpededness. "
Union of Form and Emptiness One specific referent of this impor- tant notion is the meditational experience of the "apparent but in no way substantial form" of an image of Enlightenment, the Bod? hisattva Avalokitesvara, for example.
Vajra see Dorje
Vajradhara see Dorje Chang Vajrasattva see Dorje Sempa Vajravarahi see Dorje Phagmo
Vajrayana dorje tek pa [rdo rje'i theg pa] (Tib. ) the third of the Three Vehicles of Buddhism. Also called Mantrayana, it is the Bud- dhism of Tibet, Mongolia, and much of the Far East, in which the central Mahayana themes of compassion and emptiness are dealt
Glossary 213
214 The Dharma
with using symbolic and practical systems of technique and understanding.
Vinaya (Skt. ) dul wa ['dul ba] (Tib. ) Buddhist scriptures concerned with monastic discipline and moral conduct; the code of virtuous behavior so presented.
Vipa5yana see Lha tong
W ang see Empowerment
Yama (Skt. ) Shinje (gshin rje] (Tib. ) The Lord of Death and judge of the afterlife, usually called Yamaraja (Shin je gyal po [gshin rje rgyal po]).
Yeshe [ye shes] (Tib. ) jiiina (Skt. ) Primodial awareness.
Yeshe Tsogyal [ye shes mtsho rgyal] (Tib. ) Disciple and consort of
Guru Rinpoche, and his Dharma successor.
Yi [yid] (Tib. ) One of several Tibetan words for "mind. " Here it designates the "impassioned or afflicted consciousness," which is the Seventh Consciousness when eight are reckoned.
Yidak [yi dvags] (Tib. ) preta (Skt. ) Hungry Ghosts, occupants of one of the three unfortunate realms of samsara (i. e. , Hells, Hungry Ghosts, and Animals). The yidaks are tormented by unappeasable appetites.
Yidam [yi dam] (Tib.
Nyingmapa [mying rna pa] (Tib. ) One of the four main traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. For Nyingmapas, Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche or precious Lama) is the central figure in whom they take refuge. The name of their school ("older ones") reflects their adherence to the earliest translations of Buddhist texts into Tibetan.
Obscuration drip pa [sgrib pa] (Tib. ) varat;ta (Skt. ) What is obscured is the true nature of mind. Four levels of obscuration are spoken of in this text:
1. Obscuration of Fundamental Ignorance rna rik pay drip pa [rna rig pa'i sgbrib pa] (Tib. ) avidyavarat;ta (Skt. ) "The mind does not see itself, it is not directly aware of its own nature. "
2. Obscuration of Habitual Tendencies bak chak chi drip pa [bag chags kyi sgrib pa] (Tib. ) vasanavarat;ta (Skt. ) Based on ignorance, mind develops "the habit of ex- periencing reality in terms of subject and object. "
S. Obscuration of Emotional Affliction nyon mong pay drip pa [nyon mongs pa'i sgrib pa] (Tib. ) kldavarat;ta
202 The Dharma
(Skt. ) Confronted by these dualistic projections, mind
reacts with attachment, aversion and bewilderment.
4. Obscuration of Karma lay chi drip pa [las kyi sgrib pa] (Tib. ) karmavaraJ? ,a (Skt. ) Emotional confusion pro- duces physical, verbal, and mental reactions that become habitual and have their own further conse-
quences.
Palpung [dpal spungs] (Tib. ) A major monastic center in Kham, residence of the Situ incarnation lamas. The retreat center started there by Jamgon Kongtrul was presided over later by Kalu Rin- poche.
Paths, The Five
1. Path of Accumulation tso lam [tshogs lam] (Tib. ) sam- bharamarga (Skt. ) The first phase of effort towards enlightenment: purifying one's obscurations, acquiring merit, and achieving emotional and meditative stability-"gathering what we need for the journey. "
2. Path of Application jor lam [sbyor lam] (Tib. ) prayogamarga (Skt. ) Practice of twenty-two of the thirty-seven elements of enlightenment, q. v.
3. Path of Vision tong lam [mthong lam] (Tib. ) dar? anamarga (Skt. ) The first level of Bodhisattva realization. "Instead of seeing things in the ordinary sense, one actually sees the nature of mind. "
4. Path of Meditation gom lam [sgom lam] (Tib. ) bhavanamarga (Skt. ) This path, with the preceding, coincides with the ten stages of Bodhisattva realization.
5. Path of No More Learning mi lop pay lam [mi slob pa'i lam] (Tib. ) a? ai~amarga (Skt. ) Buddhahood.
Peace shi wa [zhi ba] (Tib. ) santi (Skt. ) A synonym for Nirv~a.
Perfection of Wisdom see Prajiiaparamita
Prajnaparamita The "Perfection of Wisdom," a name for the body of Mahayana sutras expounding the doctrine of Emptiness; among
the most famous of these are the Heart Sutra and the Diamond Sutra. Also, the name of the female Buddha (she rap pa rol tu chin ma [she rab pha rol tu phyin ma]) who represents perfect wisdom.
Pratimolqa (Skt. ) so sor tar pa [so sor thar pa] {Tib. ) Originally, the rules and directions for conscientious moral conduct by which the members of the Sangha are to live. In the present context, the word suggests (as the Tibetan says literally) "the discipline of i'ndi'vi'dual li'berati'on. "
Precious Human Birth Human birth that possesses the Eight Freedoms and Ten opportunities. The Eight Freedoms are freedom from birth in any of the eight unrestful states; that is, not to be born:
1. As a hell-being
2. As a yi'dak
3. As an animal
4. Asagod
5. In a society where the Dharma is unknown
6. As a person with wrong views, who believes in neither
Dharma nor karma
7. In an age when no Buddha has appeared
8. As a person suffering from mental or sensory im-
pairments that make it impossible to understand the Dharma
Of the Ten Opportunities, or Resources, five refer to one's personal condition and five to one's environment. One is born:
1. As a human
2. In a country where the Dharma exists
3. With one's senses and intelligence intact
4. Without karmic compulsions to commit evil deeds
5. As a person able to have faith in the Three Jewels
6. In an age in which a Buddha has appeared
7. In an age in which a Buddha has taught the Dharma
8. In an age in which the Dharma has not declined, but en-
dures
9. In a region where many practice the Dharma
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204 The Dharma
10. In a region where others, motivated by faith and kind- ness, will help one in one's practice
The Precious Human Birth is extremely rare; while hell-beings, for instance, are said to be as numerous as atoms, yidaks as the sands of
the Ganges, animals as snowflakes, and gods of the higher realms as stars in the night sky, those having the Precious Human Birth are said to be as rare as daytime stars.
Preliminaries The Ordinary Preliminaries for Mahiimudra are meditations on the Four Thoughts that Tum the Mind (to the Dhar- ma). These are:
1. The Precious Human Birth (q. v. ) with its freedoms and opportunities.
2. Impermanence and the inevitability of death.
3. The pervasiveness of suffering (q. v. ) in sarllsara. 4. The inerrancy of karma.
The four Extraordinary Preliminaries are:
1. Taking Refuge and making prostrations to the Three Jewels and the Three Roots, q. v.
2. Dorje Sempa purification, q. v. 3. Ma~~ala Offering, q. v.
4. Guru Yoga, q. v.
The Ordinary and Extraordinary Preliminaries are together termed Ngondro [sngon 'gro] in Tibetan.
Preta see Yidak
Primordial Awareness see Yeshe
Protectors cho chong [chos skyong] (Tib. ) Embodiments of wisdom, usually represented as wrathful or terrifying in appearance, who are invoked to eliminate obstacles on the path to Enlightenment. They are among the wisdom beings, third of the Three Roots in Va- jrayana refuge. The most important protector for the Kagyii tradi- tion is Mahakala.
Pure Land dak pay shing kam [dag pa'i zhing khams] (Tib. ) The sphere of activity of a Buddha. A Buddha-Realm where sentient be? ings mature towards enlightenment.
Raptu Gawa [rab tu dga' ba] (Tib. ) pramudita (Skt. ) "Total joy:" the first stage [bhumi, q. v. ] of Bodhisattva realization.
Realization see Enlightenment
Realms of Saihs~ra, the Three kam sum [khams gsum] (Tib. )
tridhatu (Skt. )
1. Desire Realm: Extends from the lowest hells up to certain of the gods' realms.
2. Form Realm: The seventeen levels of the gods of form.
3. Formless Realm: Four levels of the formless gods.
Refuge chap [skyabs] (Tib. ) saral)a (Skt. ) To take Refuge (chap su dro wa [skyabs su 'gro ba]) is to make a formal commitment to ac? cept the precepts and protection of the Three Jewels as the way of developing the aspiration for enlightenment. In the Vajrayana, one also takes refuge in the Three Roots.
Renouncing and Accepting pang lang [spangs blang] (Tib. ) Giving up unvirtuous actions and adopting the course of virtuous conduct.
Rek pa [reg pa] (Tib. ) spar? a (Skt. ) Contact, or touch. The sixth Nidana, q. v.
Ri may [ris med] (Tib. ) A syncretic movement in nineteenth century Tibet intended to minimize sectarian rivalry and revitalize spiritual practice by making use of texts, commentaries, and procedures from many different Tibetan traditions. Jamgon Kongtrul, Chokchur Lingpa, Mipham Rinpoche, and Khyentse Wangpo are among the best known of the ri may masters.
Rinpoche [rin po che] (Tib. ) Literally, "precious" one. A title reserved properly for incarnate lamas (see Tiilku) and eminent
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spiritual teachers. It is used both as a term of address and as the last element in the name.
Ro chik [ro gcig] (Tib. ) ekarasa (Skt. ) Ro chik is the third of the four phases of Path Mahamudra: One Point, Free from Activity, One Taste, and No More Meditation.
Root Lama tsa way Ia rna [rtsa ba'i bla rna] (Tib. ) A teacher from whom one has received the empowerments, instructions, and precepts that form the core of one's own practice.
Sakya [sa skya] (Tib. ) One of the four major sects of Tibetan Bud? dhism. Its most famous teacher was Sakya Pandita. The lineage stresses intellectual preparation and meditation.
Samldhi (Skt. ) ting nge dzin [ting nge 'dzin] (Tib. ) Meditative con? centration.
Samatha see Shi nay
SambhogakAya (Skt. ) long cho dzok pay ku [long spyod rdzogs pa'i sku] {Tib. ) The illuminating potential of mind. Second of the Three Bodies of a Buddha, it is emanated from the Dharmakaya to benefit sentient beings on the path by providing an example of the goal. The Sambhogakaya manifests only to Bodhisattvas. See the Five Certainties.
Samdrup Tarjay Ling [bsam 'grup dar rgyas gling] (Tib. ) Kalu Rinpoche's monastery in Sonada, a hill town near Darjeeling in West Bengal.
Sam pa [bsam pa] (Tib. ) Literally, "to think about. " Second phase of practice: contemplating what has been taught, and applying it thoughtfully and alertly to one's experience.
Samslra (Skt. ) kor wa ['khor ba] (Tib. ) Cyclic existence, the begin? ningless and endless wheel of rebirth.
Sam ten Bardo [bsam gtan bar do] (Tib. ) The Bardo of meditative stability, equilibrium. See Bardo.
Sangdok Palri [zangs mdog dpal ri] (Tib. ) The Noble Copper- Colored Mountain, the Pure Land of Guru Rinpoche.
Sangye [sangs rgyas] (Tib. ) The Tibetan word for Buddha. It com- bines the notions of complete purification (sangs) and rgyas, expan- sion (that is, of knowledge).
Sangha (Skt. ) gen diin [dge 'dun] (Tib. ) The "assembly of practi? tioners who realize and transmit the [Buddha's] teachings. " (sometimes a distinction is made: the whole body of the Buddhist clergy and Buddhist practitioners is the Sangha, while the Arhats and Bodhisattvas are the Aryasangha, the Noble or Exalted
Assembly. )
Seed Syllable tsik [tshig] (Tib. ) bija (Skt. ) A single syllable conceiv- ed of as the expression of one embodiment of enlightened mind; thus HRII;I is the seed syllable connected with Buddha Amitabha and the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara.
Sems [sems] (Tib. ) citta (Skt. ) One of several Tibetan words for mind. More specifically, it can denote the alayavijiiana or Eighth Consciousness.
Sending and Taking tong len [gtong len] (Tib.
) A method for developing bodhicitta. A meditation in which practitioners willingly take on all the pains and burdens of other beings, and willingly give out all that is positive in their own lives, their merit and happiness. The practice was promulgated in Tibet by Atisa.
Se pa [sred pa] (Tib. ) tnva (Skt. ) Craving. The eighth Nidana, q. v.
Shangba [shangs pa] (Tib. ) A lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, found- ed by the scholar-siddha (kay drup [mkhas grub]) Chungpo Naljor in the eleventh century. It emphasizes meditational practice and
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teaches the Five Golden Dharmas (Ser cho nga [gser chos lnga)), which include the Six Yogas of Niguma (comparable to the Six Yogas ofNaropa, q. v. ). The Shangba lineage has been important as a source of teachings and practice, rather than as an organized hierarchy or monastic sect, and its influence has been felt by all the traditional schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Kalu Rinpoche is the pres- ent lineage holder of the Shangba teachings.
Shangba Rinchen Dun Ju [shangs pa rin chen bdun rgyud) (Tib. ) The "precious lineage of seven" who established and transmitted the Shangba teachings of Mahamudra.
1. Vajradhara (Dorje Chang [rDo rje' Chang]) 2. Niguma [Ni gu rna]
3. Chungpo Naljor [Khyung po rNal 'byor]
4. Mokchokpa [rMog ! Cog pa]
5. Chergangpa [sKyer sGang pa]
6. Nyentonpa [gNyan sTon pa]
7. Sangye Tonpa [Sangs rgyas sTon pa]
Shavari (Skt. ) Sha wa ri pa [sha ba ri pa] (Tib. ) One of the Indian Mahasiddhas, said to have been a hunter reformed and instructed directly by Chenrezi. Achieving full realization after twelve years of meditation, Shavari chose to remain in this world for the benefit of all beings, and will remain until the next Buddha comes.
Shen pa Shi drel [zhen pa bzhi 'bral] (Tib. ) "Separation from the Four Attachments," a teaching in the form of a simple quatrain, used in the Sakya tradition.
Si pa [srid pa] (Tib. ) bhava (Skt. ) Becoming. The tenth Nidana, q. v.
Six Yogas of Naropa Usual name for the Six Dharmas of Naropa (Naro Chodruk [na ro chos drug]), the yogic practices which con- stitute a basic part of the Kagyii traditions of training. The six,
followed by their Tibetan names, are:
1. Psychic heat (tum mo [gtum mo]) 2. The Illusory body (jii Iii [sgyu Ius]) 3. Dream (milam [rmi lam])
4. Clear Light (o sal ['od gsal])
5. Intermediate States (bar do [bar do])
6. Consciousness Transference (po wa ['pho ba])
Shi nay [zhi gnas] (Tib. ) samatha (Skt. ) Tranquility meditation, which develops calmness of mind. One of the two basic meditations in all traditions of Buddhism, the other being vipasyana (lha tong, q. v. ).
Si pa Bardo [srid pa bar do] (Tib. ) The intermediate stage of Becoming. See Bardo.
Six Realms The six planes of rebirth within Sarhsara:
1. Hells
2. Realm of the Hungry Ghosts (yidaks) 3. Animal Realm
4. Human Realm
5. Realm of the Asuras
6. Realm of the Gods
The last three are called Fortunate Realms, while the first three are called Unfortunate.
Skandhas, The Five pung po nga [phung po lnga] (Tib. ) Five ag- gregates that describe the physical and mental existence of all beings in the Desire Realm:
1. Form (Tib. : zuk [gzugs]; Skt. : nipa)
2. Sensation (Tib: tsor wa [tshor ba]; Skt. : vedana)
3. Recognition (Tib. : du shay ['du shes]; Skt. : sarhjiia)
4. Formation (Tib. : du che ['du byed]; Skt. : sarhskara)
5. Consciousness (Tib. : nam shay [mam shes]; Skt. :
vijiiana)
Skandhas of the Four Labels see Ming shi pung po.
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Songtsen Gampo (ca. 569-650) [srong btsan sgam po] (Tib. ) King of Tibet. Tibetan historians considered him an emanation of Chenrezi and a powerful monarch of Asia.
Sufferingdu ngal [sdug bsngal] (Tib. ) dul;lkha (Skt. ) Three types of suffering are described:
1. The all-pervasive fundamental suffering: "the suffering of simply being alive. " (chap pa du je chi du ngal [rkyab pa 'du byed kyi sdug bsngal])
2. The suffering of change Gur way du ngal ['gyur wa'i sdug bsngal]).
S. The suffering of suffering, i. e. , actual pain (du ngal chi du ngal [sdug bsngal kyi sdug bsngal].
SO. nyatl see Emptiness
SO. tra (Skt. ) do [mdo] (Tib. ) A scripture attributed to the Buddha Shakyamuni.
Tantras (Skt. ) jii [rgyud] (Tib. ) The root scriptures of Vajrayana Buddhism. The texts are ascribed to the Buddha Shakyamuni in various of his manifestations, and each usually describes the man? dala and practice associated with a particular enlightened being. The word "tantra" literally means "thread" or "continuity. "
Tara Drolma [sgrol rna] (Tib. ) A female Bodhisattva of Compas? sion, specially associated with the ability to protect her devotees and rescue them from suffering, fears, and dangers.
Targay Gyamtso Rinpoche [dar rgyas rgya mtsho] (Tib. ) First Root Lama of Lama Norlha. Native of the small kingdom of Nang Chen in Kham. He spent sixty years in meditation and retreat, most? ly in seclusion or in the mountains. He was a disciple of Jamgan Kongtrul, who called him "the Milarepa of Go Chi," referring to the monastery with which Targay Gyamtso was connected. He assumed the rainbow body in February 1959.
Tathlgata (Skt. ) de shin shek pa [de bzhin gshegs pa] (Tib. ) The "Thus-gone" one, an epithet for a Buddha.
Tathlgatagarbha (Skt. ) de shin shek pay nying po [de bzhin gshegs pa'i nying po] (Tib. ) The seed of Enlightenment, the potential for Buddhahood in every sentient being.
Terton [gter ston] (Tib. ) A discoverer of hidden texts (ter rna [gter rna]) understood to have been concealed by great teachers of the past in various ways, until the time when they could be understood and applied.
Thirty-seven Limbs of Enlightenment: Four essential recollections.
Four proper attitudes towards what should be renounced and what accepted.
Four bases of supernormal power. Five strengths.
Five faculties.
Seven subsidiary factors. Eightfold Noble Path.
Three Jewels kon chok sum [dkon mchog gsum] (Tib. ) Triratna (Skt. )
1. The Buddha, embodiment of Enlightenment.
2. The Dharma, the Buddha's teaching.
3. The Sangha, the Community of those committed to the
practice of these teachings. This includes the ordinary human Sangha and the Noble Sangha of Bodhisattvas.
Three Roots tsa wa sum [rtsa ba gsum] (Tib. ) In the Vajrayana, refuge is taken in the Three Roots: the Lamas, the Yidams, and the Protectors.
Three Year Retreat lo sum cho sum [lo gsum phyogs gsum] (Tib. ) A fundamental discipline of training and spiritual practice. For
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three years, three months, and three days, retreatants devote themselves in seclusion to meditational practice and study.
Tig le [thig le] (Tib. ) Bindu (Skt. ) Literally, a "drop" or "circle," the word has a very wide range of referents. In this text, two usages are to be noted:
1. The circles or dots of light that appear to the mind in certain stages of the Bardo experience.
2. The red and white tig le, as the creative energy of the body, whose control and direction during yogic practice can result in the attainment of stable bliss.
Tilopa (988-1069} Indian Mahasiddha, teacher of Naropa. Tilopa is considered the person in whom the lineage of Mahamudra became manifest. He received the teachings directly from Dorje Chang.
Tong len see Sending and Taking
T o pa [thos pa] (Tib. ) Literally, "to hear. " First of the three phases of practice consisting of hearing (and reading and studying) the teachings.
Tri ['khrid] (Tib. ) Instruction in the proper performance of a Va- jrayana practice. See Empowerment.
Trungpa Rinpoche A line of incarnation Lamas long associated with Surmang [zur mang] Monastery in eastern Tibet. The present tiilku, the eleventh, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, lives and teaches in the West.
Tsor wa [tshor ba] (Tib. ) vedana (Skt. ) Sensation or feeling, the feeling-tone of an experience. The seventh Nidana, q. v.
Tsurpu [mtshur phu] (Tib. ) A great monastery near Lhasa which was the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapas and headquarters of the Kar-
rna Kagyii linage. This function has been fulfilled in recent years by Rumtek monastery in Sikkim.
Tuk say [thugs sras] (Tib. ) Heart-son; a close disciple or successor of a high Lama.
Tiilku [sprul sku] (Tib. ) One of the three types of Nirmat;takaya. It usually denotes a being of high realization who deliberately chooses to be reborn in a specific situation for the benefit of sentient beings. The Dalai Lama and the Gyalwa Karmapa are well known ex- amples.
Unimpededness man ga pa [rna 'gag pa] (Tib. ) One of the three in- trinsic qualities of mind, the other two being Emptiness and Clarity; the manifestation of the inseparable union of mind's essential Emp-
. tiness and natural Clarity; it corresponds to the Nirmat;takaya aspect of Enlightenment. "The intelligence that allows us to make judgments and recognize particular details is a manifestation of mind's Unimpededness. "
Union of Form and Emptiness One specific referent of this impor- tant notion is the meditational experience of the "apparent but in no way substantial form" of an image of Enlightenment, the Bod? hisattva Avalokitesvara, for example.
Vajra see Dorje
Vajradhara see Dorje Chang Vajrasattva see Dorje Sempa Vajravarahi see Dorje Phagmo
Vajrayana dorje tek pa [rdo rje'i theg pa] (Tib. ) the third of the Three Vehicles of Buddhism. Also called Mantrayana, it is the Bud- dhism of Tibet, Mongolia, and much of the Far East, in which the central Mahayana themes of compassion and emptiness are dealt
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with using symbolic and practical systems of technique and understanding.
Vinaya (Skt. ) dul wa ['dul ba] (Tib. ) Buddhist scriptures concerned with monastic discipline and moral conduct; the code of virtuous behavior so presented.
Vipa5yana see Lha tong
W ang see Empowerment
Yama (Skt. ) Shinje (gshin rje] (Tib. ) The Lord of Death and judge of the afterlife, usually called Yamaraja (Shin je gyal po [gshin rje rgyal po]).
Yeshe [ye shes] (Tib. ) jiiina (Skt. ) Primodial awareness.
Yeshe Tsogyal [ye shes mtsho rgyal] (Tib. ) Disciple and consort of
Guru Rinpoche, and his Dharma successor.
Yi [yid] (Tib. ) One of several Tibetan words for "mind. " Here it designates the "impassioned or afflicted consciousness," which is the Seventh Consciousness when eight are reckoned.
Yidak [yi dvags] (Tib. ) preta (Skt. ) Hungry Ghosts, occupants of one of the three unfortunate realms of samsara (i. e. , Hells, Hungry Ghosts, and Animals). The yidaks are tormented by unappeasable appetites.
Yidam [yi dam] (Tib.
