As It Is, Vol I

Nirmanakaya (sprul sku), (sprul pa'i sku).

• 'Emanation body,' 'form of magical apparition.' The third of the Three Kayas. The aspect of enlightenment that can be perceived by ordinary beings. [RY]

The kayas: Various aspects or states of buddhahood. One recognizes two, three, four, or five kayas.

• Two Kayas: dharmakaya, the absolute body, and rupakaya, the body of form.
• Three kayas: the dharmakaya, or absolute body; the sambhogakaya, or body of divine enjoyment; and the nirmanakaya, or manifested body. These correspond to the mind, speech, and body of an enlightened buddha and are expressed as the five wisdoms.
• Four Kayas: the svabhavikakaya, or essential body, is to be added to the three kayas and represents their inseparability (dbyer med).
• Five kayas: to the three kayas one adds the avikaravajrakaya, the "unchanging vajra body," and the abhisambodhikaya, "body of total enlightenment." Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche