The Rangjung Yeshe Gilded Palace of Dharmic Activity

A Glossary of Buddhist People, Places, and Things...

- The Terms by which They're Defined -

-B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z -

---

A

Abandonment and realization (spangs rtogs). - A synonym for 'buddhahood' or 'enlightenment.' (bla ma'i thugs rgyud kyi spangs rtogs kyi yon tan) -- the qualities of freedom and realization of the teacher's wisdom mind [RY]

Abhidana of the Samvara Tantra - a tantric text. [RY]

Abbot, the Master, and the Dharma King: are Shantarakshita, Padmasambhava, and Trisong Deutsen

Abhidharma -(chos mngon pa)- 1) systematic teachings which analyze elements of experience and investigate the nature of existence, thus dispelling wrong views and establishing analytic insight. 2) One of the three parts of the Tripitaka, the Words of the Buddha, the essence of which is prajna, or discriminating knowledge (kun rtogs ye shes). 3) Branch of Buddhist literature and practice concerned with the analysis of phenomena into their elementary constituents (dharmas). 4) Systematic teachings on metaphysics focusing on the training and developing of discriminating knowledge by analyzing elements of experience and investigating the nature of existing things. The chief commentaries on Abhidharma are the Abhidharma Kosha by Dignaga from the Hinayana perspective, and the Abhidharma Samucchaya by Asanga from the Mahayana point of view. Dignaga was a disciple of Vasubandhu. Vasubandhu was later converted to Mahayana by Asanga. [RY]

Abhidharma Kosha -(mngon pa mdzod)-. An authoritative scripture on Buddhist metaphysics according to Hinayana, composed by the Indian pandita Dignaga. [RY]

Abhidharma Pitaka -(mngon pa'i sde snod)-. One of The Three Pitakas -(sde snod gsum)-, containing the foundation of Buddhist psychology and logic. It describes the universe, the various types of beings, the steps on the path to enlightenment, refutes wrong views and so forth. [RY]

Abhidharma Samuccaya -(mngon pa kun btus)-. An authoritative scripture on Buddhist metaphysics according to Mahayana, composed by the Indian pandita Asanga. [RY]

Abhisamaya Lamkara -(mngon rtogs rgyan)- The 'Ornament of Realization' authored by Maitreya and written down by Asanga. It explains the paths and bhumis of the bodhisattva vehicle. [RY]

Abhisheka -(dbang bskur)-. See empowerment. [RY]

absolute (yongs grub) [LW1] [RY]

absolute (yongs grub); unchanging ('gyur med yongs grub), expl.; unmistaken (phyin ci ma log pa'i yongs grub), expl. [LWx] [RY]

absolute bodhicitta -(don dam byang chub gyi sems)- corresponds to the realization of emptiness. The relative bodhicitta -(kun rdzob byang chub kyi sems)- is the wish to attain enlightenment for the sake of others and the putting of this wish into action. [MR-ShabkarNotes]

Abu -(a bu)-. Another name for Paltrul Rinpoche, Jigme Choskyi Wangchuk (1808-87), also known as Dzogchen Palge Tulku. [RY]

Acarya -(slob dpon)- master. [RY]

Acceptance -(bzod pa)- One of the 'four aspects of ascertainment' attained on the path of joining. [RY]

Acceptance of the profound Dharma -(zab mo'i chos la bzod pa)- Acceptance of emptiness; that dharmas are unproduced. [RY]

Acceptance that dharmas are unproduced (Skt. anutpattika-dharma-ksanti, mi skye ba'i chos la bzod pa). An important realization gained on entry to the eighth Bodhisattva Stage. [RY]

Accomplishment -(dngos grub, Skt. siddhi)- See 'supreme and common siddhis.' [RY]

Accomplishment -(dngos grub)- Skt. siddhi). The result of the practice. [RY]

Accomplishment 1) (dngos grub, siddhi). See 'supreme and common siddhis.' 2)-(sgrub pa)- See 'four aspects of approach and accomplishment.' [RY]

Accomplishment of Means and Knowledge (thabs shes grub pa) [LW1] [RY]

Accomplishment of Nonduality (gnyis med grub pa) [LW1] [RY]

Accomplishment of Secrets (gsang ba grub pa) [LW1] [RY]

Accomplishment of Thatness to Clearly Encompass Reality (dngos po gsal ba'i rjes su 'gro ba'i de kho na nyid grub pa) [LW1] [RY]

Accomplishment of the Great Secret Thatness (gsang ba chen po de nyid grub pa) [LW1] [RY]

Accomplishment of the Innate (lhan skyes grub pa) [LW1] [RY]

Accomplishment of Wisdom (ye shes grub pa) [LW1] [RY]

ACCOMPLISHMENT. 1) (dngos grub), Skt. siddhi. The attainment resulting from Dharma practice usually referring to the 'supreme accomplishment' of complete enlightenment. It can also mean the 'common accomplishments,' eight mundane accomplishments such as clairvoyance, clairaudiance, flying in the sky, becoming invisible, everlasting youth, or powers of transmutation. The most eminent attainments on the path are, however, renunciation, compassion, unshakable faith and realization of the correct view. See also 'supreme and common accomplishments.' 2) (sgrub pa). See also 'approach and accomplishment.'[AL] [RY]

ACCUMULATION (tshogs). Provisions for the path. See 'two accumulations.'[AL] [RY]

Accumulation of merit (bsod nams kyi tshogs). Virtuous actions or meditation practice carried out with conceptual mind; for instance, the concepts of oneself, the deed and the purpose. [Bardo Guide 91] [RY]

Accumulation of wisdom (ye shes kyi tshogs). Virtuous actions embraced by the discriminating knowledge (shes rab) of insight into emptiness. [RY]

Accumulation of wisdom (ye shes kyi tshogs). Virtuous actions or meditation practice embraced by the discriminating knowledge of insight into emptiness, naked mind free from conceptual thinking. [Bardo Guide 91] [RY]

Accumulations (tshogs). The provisions for journeying along the path of enlightenment. See the 'Two accumulations.' [RY]

Accumulations, the two (sambhara, tshogs). The accumulations of merits and of Wisdom-knowledge that one must gather by practicing the Perfections so as to achieve Enlightenment. [RY]

Acharya Lilavajra. One of the Indian mahasiddhas. [RY]

Acharya Nagarjuna (slob dpon klu sgrub). A great Indian master of philosophy. He was named "Naga Master" because he taught the beings in the naga world and returned with the extensive version of Prajnaparamita left in their safe keeping. [RY]

-A Work in Progress---Richard 03:58, 21 January 2006 (EST)[RWB]