The Fivefold Mahamudra of the Drigungpas

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 -

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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]

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 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]

-A Work in Progress- [RWB]