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The Rangjung Yeshe Gilded Palace of Dharmic Activity (Front Cover)
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Nabun Dzong. [RY]
Nada (na da). Means tone of sound (sgra dbyangs). Subtle sound [RY]
Nada (na da). Subtle sound. [RY]
nada. Though nada is Sanskrit literally for sound and is the term for the diamond above a letter to represent a final nasal sound, this being represented in Tibetan by a crescent and circle, the term in the context of these visualisations is taken to refer to the tiniest possible fragment, the size of a hair tip, that remains of the circle above the letter. [Peter Roberts]
nada. Though the "Nada" is the Sanskrit grammatical term for the sign above a letter, represented in Tibetan by a crescent and a circle, the term is taken in this context to mean the most fine material remainder of that circle above the Hum. [Peter Roberts]
Nada; literal meaning [LWx] [RY]
nadi (rtsa). See also channels [LW1] [RY]
Nadi (rtsa). The channels in the vajra body through which the energy currents move. [Bardo Guide 91] [RY]
NADI (rtsa). The channels in the vajra body through which the energy currents move. [AL] [RY]
Nadi (rtsa). The channels in the vajra body through which the winds (prana) flow. [RY]
Nadi and prana (rtsa rlung) The channels and energies; as one term, they refer to the exercises of Anu Yoga. [RY]
nadi syllables (rtsa yig) [LW1] [RY]
Nadi, prana, and bindu (rtsa rlung thig le). The channels, energies or winds, and essences of the physical body. [RY]
nadi-element (rtsa khams) [LW1] [RY]
Nadi-knots (rtsa mdud). [RY]
NADI-KNOTS (rtsa mdud). Sometimes the equivalent of chakra, a major junction or meeting point of channels, sometimes a subtle blockage that needs to be untied through yogic practices.[AL] [RY]
Nadis, pranas, and bindus (rtsa rlung thig le) - channels, winds, and essences. The channels are the 72,000 nadis and the 40 million minor nadis abiding in the body. The winds are the 21,600 pranas circulating within the nadis. Connected with them, the essences which are the white and red bindus permeate. [RY]
Nadi-wheel (rtsa 'khor). Generally, the four or five "wheels" or chakras in the body. [RY]
nadi-wheels (rtsa 'khor) [LW1] [RY]
nadi-wheels; see also 'channels'; [LWx] [RY]
Naga - powerful long-lived serpent-like beings who inhabit bodies of water and often guard great treasure. Nanda was one of their great kings. He helped protect the Buddha from the elements when the Buddha was seated at Bodh Gaya, and gave Nagarjuna various treatises from the naga treasure. [RY]
Naga (klu), fem. nagi (klu mo). beings of the underworld and the waters, classed as animals. They generally live in the form of snakes, but many can change into human form and they are often depicted as human from the waist up with a serpents tail below. They are supposed to control the weather, especially rain. [RY]
Naga (klu). Powerful long-lived serpent-like beings who inhabit bodies of water and often guard great treasure. It belongs half to the animal realm and half to the god realm. They generally live in the form of snakes, but many can change into human form and they are often depicted as human from the waist up with a serpents tail below. They are supposed to control the weather, especially rain. [RY]
Naga (klu). Powerful long-lived serpent-like beings who inhabit bodies of water and often guard great treasure. Nagas belong half to the animal realm and half to the god realm. They generally live in the form of snakes, but many can change into human form. [ZL] [RY]
Naga (klu). Serpent or spirit living in water. It belongs half to the animal realm and half to the god realm. [RY]
naga [LW1] [RY]
Naga Demon Razor (klu bdud spu gri). Ludü Pudri [ZL] [RY]
Naga King Jogpo (klu rgyal 'jog po). One of the Five Eminent Beings who received the Anuyoga transmission. [RY]
Naga-puspa. N. of several plants - Mesua roxburghii, Rottlera tinctoria and Michelia champaka - or may = naga-puspika, yellow jasmine, [RY]
Nagaraja angkusha dzah (Skt.). A command which means: "I summon the king of the nagas!" [ZL] [RY]
Nagarjuna - Great master of the Mahayana and tantric Siddha, one of the founders of the Shastra tradition [RY]
Nagarjuna (klu grub). An Indian master of philosophy and a tantric siddha. One of the Eight Vidyadharas; receiver of the tantras of Lotus Speech such as Supreme Steed Display. He is said to have taken birth in the southern part of India around four hundred years after the Buddha's nirvana. Having received ordination at Nalanda Monastery, he later acted as preceptor for the monks. He knew alchemy, stayed alive for six hundred years and transformed ordinary materials into gold in order to sustain the sangha. At Bodhgaya he erected pillars and stone walls to protect the Bodhi Tree and constructed 108 stupas. From the realm of the nagas he brought back the extensive Prajnaparamita scriptures. He was the life pillar for the Mahayana, but specifically he was a major exponent of the Unexcelled Vehicle of Vajrayana. Having attained realization of Hayagriva, he transmitted the lineage to Padmasambhava. [ZL] [RY]
Nagarjuna (klu grub). An Indian master of philosophy. [RY]
Nagarjuna (klu grub). An Indian master of philosophy. See Acharya Nagarjuna. [RY]
Nagarjuna {klu grub}. Great Indian scholar at Nalanda university and founder of the Madhyamaka school of Buddhist philosophy. [RY]
Nagarjuna 1.; (klu sgrub) In accordance with many prophecies found in both sutras and tantras, Nagarjuna; (klu sgrub) was born in a Brahmin family in the south Indian land of Beda. An astrologer predicted that in the best case (if he practiced the dharma), the child would live for no more than seven years. When seven years were almost gone, the parents sent their son away on pilgrimage with a servant, because they could not bear the thought of seeing his corpse. However Nagarjuna reached Nalanda and meet Saraha who told him that he could escape death if he were ordained as a monk. Nagarjuna also receive the initiation into the mandala of of Amitayus and practising the mantra recitation through the last night of his seventh year, he could free himself from the fear of death. The following year Nagarjuna received the initial monk ordination and became proficient in all the branches of knowledge in both the Hinayana and Mahayana sutras. Saraha also gave him many teachings upon the secret Mantrayana. [RY]
Nagarjuna 2. Having mastered all these teachings Nagarjuna returned to see his parents again. He then took the full monastic vows. Once, a terrible famine broke out in Magadha and continued for twelve years. Saraha asked Nagarjuna to provide for the monks of Nalanda who lacked all necessities. Nagarjuna decided to find out how to make gold. He took two sandalwood leaves and, with the appropriate mantras, gave them the power to instantly transport a person to wherever he wished to go. Holding one leaf in his hand and concealinf the other in the sole of his sandal, he travelled across the ocean ot an island wher a famous alchemist lived. Nagarjuna requested instructions in the making of gold. Now the alchemist realized that Nagarjuna must have come across the water by a secret technique, so hoping to acquire this secret he said, "LEt us exchange either our crafts or our wealth." "We should exchange our crafts," answered Nagarjuna, and gave him the leaf he held in his hand. [RY]
Nagarjuna 3. The alchemist, thinking that Nagarjuna was ni longer able to leave the island taught him how to make gold. Then Nagarjuna, by means of the sandalwood leaf he had hidden in his sandal, returned to India. There he turned a lot of iron into gold and provided the whole Sangha with all their needs. Later Nagarjuna became abbot of Nalanda. He repeatedley defeated all his opponent, both the heretics, such as Shankara, who ridiculed the madhyamika views, and the sravaka who asserted the invalidity of the Mahayana. Some Nagas came to attend to Nagarjuna's teachings and requested him to visit the Land the Nagas. Having taught the Naga King and his subjects, Nagarjuna returned with the text of the Prajnaparamita in One Hundred Thousand Verses and its abbreviated form. With these scriptures he revived the Mahayana tradition. He himself composed many treatises elucidating the view of the Madhyamaka and setting a reference point to the whole Mahayana philosophy on relative and absolute truths. [RY]
Nagarjuna 4. In accordance with the prediction of Arya Tara, Nagarjuna went to leave and teach in South India. There, too, he composed many treatises. His teachings on Vinaya were equalled to Lord Buddha's First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma, his teachings on emptiness to the Second Turning, and his Collection of Praises (such as the Praise to the Absolute Expanse) to the Third Turning. Once a young prince, who coveted his father's kingdom, was told by his mother, "Your father's life is linked to that of Master Nagarjuna who himself attained eternal life. Therefore, you will never rule the kingdom." Later not bearing her son's unhappiness, the queen added, "Nagarjuna is a Bodhisattva, if you ask him for his head, he will give to you." The prince did accordingly, and Nagarjuna consented to give his head. But although the prince struck with his sword again and again, the master's neck could not be severed. Nagarjuna said, "Once when I was cutting kusha grass I cut off the head of an insect. [RY]
Nagarjuna 5. The karmic consequence of this act can still affect me and you can easily kill me with a blade of kusha grass." The prince tried and at the first stroke the masters' head fell on the ground. Milk, not blood, poured out and the severed head sppke: "I shall now go to Tushita heaven, but later I shall return in this very same body." Afraid, the prince, threw the head far away. However both the head and body of Nagarjuna turned into stone and it is said that the head, slowly but surely, moves closer to its trunk and that eventually, when the two reunite, Nagarjuna will revive and perform vast deeds for the benefit of the Doctrine and beings. Nagarjuna had four principal spiritual sons, Shakyamitra;, Nagabodhi;, Aryadeva; and Matanga;, as well as three close sons, Buddhapalita;, Bhavaviveka;, and Ashvagosha;. [MR]
Nagarjuna(garbha) (klu sgrub snying po); mention of [LWx] [RY]
Nagarjuna: some sources say he was born in 482 B.C, other in 212 B.C. and accordind to Mahayana scriptures he was born 1200 years after the Buddha's parinirvana. [MR]
Nagarjuna; alias Phakshab; quotation by; system of bodhichitta [LWx] [RY]
Nagarjuna; on bodhichitta training; system of bodhichitta; system of Phakshab [LW1] [RY]
Nagarjunagarbha (klu sgrub snying po) [LW1] [RY]
Nagasena: 200 ? [MR]
Nagi Gompa (na gi dgon pa). Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche's hermitage near Kathmandu. [RY]
Nagki Rinchen, Vajranatha of Sadnagar (grong khyer dam pa): 1384-1458 [MR]
Nairanjara (Skt.). [ZL] [RY]
Najyayika. Following the Nyaya system of Brahmanical philosophy. [RY]
Naked ordinary mind (tha mal gyi shes pa rjen pa). [RY]
Nalanda - First and most important of the Buddhist universities; the center of Mahayana studies for many centuries [RY]
Nalanda (Skt.). The great monastic center for Buddhist studies in ancient India. Situated in the present Indian state of Bihar, a few hours drive from Bodhgaya. [ZL] [RY]
Nalanda (Skt.). The great monastic center for Buddhist studies which flourished in ancient India, situated in the present Indian state of Bihar. [Bardo Guide 91] [RY]
Namdrang Gyatso, concepts and categories of Buddist philosophy;, rnam grangs rgya mthso;, NG} chos thams cad kyi spyir btang dka' ba'i gnas kyi brjed byang gsal bar ston pa rnam grangs rgya mthso'i gter. A detailed explanation of the various concepts and categories of Buddist philosophy, by Padma rig 'dzin (sa smad bla ma nyag bla) Published by Lama Dodrup Sangyay, Gangtok, Sikkim, 1977 [MR]
Namdrol Gyamtsho {rnam grol rgya mtsho}. Text on samaya by Longchenpa. Part of the Lama Yangthig. [RY]
Namjang (rnam byang). "Complete perfection." In this context the term specifically refers to the natural light of the enlightened essence of mind. [RY]
Namkha Dingphuk (nam mkha' lding phyug) [LW1] [RY]
Namkha Pel (nam mkha' dpal): 1170-1226 [MR]
Namkhai Nyingpo (nam mkha'i snying po). One of the 25 disciples of Guru Rinpoche. [RY]
Namkhai Nyingpo [LW1] [RY]
Namkhai Nyingpo [LWx] [RY]
Namkhai Nyingpo of Nub (gnubs nam mkha'i snying po). Born in Lower Nyal, he was one of the first Tibetans to take ordination. An adept translator, he journeyed to India where he received transmission from Hungkara and attained the body of nondual wisdom. Namkhai Nyingpo is also counted among the twenty-five disciples of Guru Rinpoche; the receiver of the transmission of Vishuddha Mind through the practice of which he was able to fly on the rays of the sun. When meditating in Splendid Long Cave of Kharchu at Lhodrak he had visions of numerous yidams and attained the vidyadhara level of mahamudra. Finally, he departed for celestial realms without leaving a corpse behind. [ZL] [RY]
Namkhai Nyingpo of Nub (gnubs nam mkha'i snying po). Born in the district of Lower Nyal, he was one of the first Tibetans to take ordination. An adept translator, he journeyed to India where he received transmission from Hungkara and attained the body of nondual wisdom. Namkhai Nyingpo is also counted among the twenty-five disciples of Guru Rinpoche. Receiving the transmission of Vishuddha Mind, he became able to fly on the rays of the sun. When meditating in Splendid Long Cave of Kharchu at Lhodrak he had visions of numerous yidams and attained the vidyadhara level of mahamudra. Eventually he departed for celestial realms without leaving a corpse behind. Namkhai Nyingpo means 'essence of space.'[AL] [RY]
Nammen Karmo (nam sman dkar mo). [ZL] [RY]
Namo (phyag 'tshal lo). Expression of homage and respect; salutation. [ZL] [RY]
Namo (phyag 'tshal lo). 'Homage' or 'salutation.' [RY]
Namo (Skt.) 'I pay homage!' [RY]
Namo Guru (bla ma la phyag 'tshal lo). Homage to the master! [RY]
Namo Guru Padmakaraya. Homage to Guru Rinpoche. [RY]
Namo mahamudraye (Skt.). Homage to Mahamudra, the Great Seal. [RY]
Namo ratna guru (bla ma rin po che la phyag 'tshal lo). "I pay homage to the precious master!" [ZL] [RY]
Nampar mitogpa (rnam par mi rtog pa). 'Nonthought,' 'nonconceptual;' the absence of conceptual thinking. [RY]
Nampar Nangdzey Vairocana (rnam par snang mdzad bE ro tsa na). The great translator and disciple of both Shri Singha and Guru Rinpoche. [RY]
Namshelma (gnam zhal ma). The Sky-faced One. The consort of Kalden Drendsey. [RY]
Namtog (rnam rtog). Conceptual thought in which there is no recognition of one's nature. [RY]
Namtso (byang gi gnam mtsho) [LW1] [RY]
Namtso Chugmo. [Daki] [RY]
Nanam Yeshe, alias Yeshe Dey of Nanam (sna nam ye shes sde). Also known as Bandey Yeshe Dey of Shang (zhang gi bhan dhe ye shes sde). A prolific translator of more than 200 scriptures and a disciple of Padmasambhava, this learned and accomplished monk once exhibited his miraculous powers, attained through mastery of Vajra Kilaya, by soaring through the sky like a bird. Yeshe mean 'original wakefulness.'[AL] [RY]
Nangchen (nang chen). A major province in Eastern Tibet. [RY]
Nangchen (nang chen); province in East Tibet [LW1] [RY]
Nangchen Gar. [RY]
Nangchen Tsechu Monastery (nang chen tshe chu dgon pa) [LW1] [RY]
Nangsi Silnon (snang srid zil gnon). The name of Guru Rinpoche which means glorious subjugator of appearance and existence. [RY]
Nangsi Silnon Tsal (snang srid zil gnon rtsal). Guru Rinpoche. [RY]
Nara - Japanese capital beginning in eighth century. [Tarthang]
Nara Japanese capital beginning in eight century [RY]
Nargon monastery. [RY]
Naropa - Indian pandita and Siddha who taught at Vikramashila; master of Mar pa lo tsa ba [RY]
Naropa 1016-1100 (na ro pa). The great mahasiddha of India, chief disciple of Tilopa and the guru of Marpa in the Kagyü Lineage. See Rain of Wisdom, Shambhala Publications. [Bardo Guide 91] [RY]
Naropa. The great mahasiddha of India, chief disciple of Tilopa and the guru of Marpa in the Kagyü Lineage. See Rain of Wisdom and The Life of Marpa, Shambhala Publications.[Primer] [RY]
Naropa: 1016-1100 [MR]
Narration of the Precious Revelation of the Terma Treasures (gter 'byung rin po che'i lo rgyus) by Longchen Rabjam. The historical background for the Khandro Nyingtig. 100 pages. Vol. OM of the mkha' 'gro yang tig. In this work the Sanglingma (see ‘’The Lotus-Born’’, translated by Erik Pema Kunsang, edited by Marcia Binder Schmidt, Shambhala Pub.) is quoted at great length. This history also includes the Dzogchen lineage of Padmasambhava from Buddha Samantabhadra to Shri Singha, his transmission of the Dzogchen teachings to the close disciples headed byYeshe Tsogyal. [ZL] [RY]
Narratives (rtogs pa brjod pa); aspect of excellent speech [LW1] [RY]
Narthang / (snar thang) Edition - Earliest manuscript edition of the Tibetan Canon, compiled in thirteenth century; different from the later printed edition [RY]
Natsok Rangdrol Yogin (sna tshogs rang grol gyi rnal 'byor pa). 'Natsok' means 'manifold,' the various kinds of sense cognitions. 'Rangdrol' means 'self-liberated.' [RY]
Natural bardo of this life (rang bzhin skye gnas kyi bar do). See Bardo of this life. [RY]
Natural Confession (rang bzhin gyi bshags pa). A synonym for the Confession of the Expanse of the View, 'Tawa Longshag.' [ZL] [RY]
Natural face (rang zhal). Same as the nature of mind. [RY]
Natural face of dharmakaya ([[chos sku'i rang zhal]). [RY]
Natural face of ground mahamudra (gzhi phyag chen gyi rang zhal). [RY]
Natural face of mind (sems nyid rang zhal). [RY]
Natural nirmanakaya (rang bzhin sprul sku). The pure nirmanakaya realms manifested by the buddhas of the five families, such as the realm of Sukhavati. [RY]
natural nirmanakaya (rang bzhin sprul sku); realm; semi apparent [LW1] [RY]
Natural nirmanakaya realm (rang bzhin sprul pa sku'i zhing). The emanated realms of the five buddhas. [RY]
natural nirmanakaya realm [LWx] [RY]
natural nirmanakayas (rang bzhin sprul sku); expl. [LWx] [RY]
Natural sound of dharmata (chos nyid kyi rang sgra). One of the experiences during the bardo of dharmata. [RY]
natural sound of dharmata; [LWx] [RY]
naturally present potential (rang bzhin gnas rigs) [LW1] [RY]
Naturally present potential (rang bzhin gnas rigs) applies to the mind essence present as the unobstructed potential for the qualities of dharmakaya arising from its empty aspect and the qualities of rupakaya arising from its manifest aspect. It is called 'all-ground wisdom' (kun gzhi'i ye shes) because of being the ground from which both samsara and nirvana arise and the 'defiled suchness' (dri bcas de bzhin nyid) because of being combined with defilement at the time of a sentient being. (YLS) (DKR) [RY]
naturally present potential (rang bzhin gnas rigs); expl. [LWx] [RY]
Nature (rang bzhin). 1) Same as self-nature. 2) See Essence, nature and capacity. [RY]
Nature, faculty, and thought (khams dbang po bsam pa). [RY]
nature, faculty, and thought (khams dbang po bsam pa); in the context of the threefold rinpening [LW1] [RY]
nature, faculty, and thought (khams dbang po bsam pa); in the context of the threefold rinpening [LWx] [RY]
nature. See 'essence, nature and capacity'.[Primer] [RY]
Nechen Jinbeb. [RY]
Nectar (amrita, bdud rtsi). see Amrita. [RY]
Nectar (bdud rtsi), Skt. amrita. 1) The 'nectar of immortality;' the ambrosia of the gods conferring immortality or other powers. 2) Abbreviation of 'Nectar Quality,' the heruka of the ratna family among the Eight Sadhana Teachings. [ZL] [RY]
Nectar Display Tantra (bdud rtsi rol pa'i rgyud). One of the Five Display Tantras among the Eighteen Mahayoga Tantras. [ZL] [RY]
Nectar Medicine (bdud rtsi sman). 1) The nectar of immortality. 2) Same as Nectar Quality. [ZL] [RY]
Nectar Quality (bdud rtsi yon tan) [LW1] [RY]
Nectar Quality (bdud rtsi yon tan). One of the Eight Sadhana Teachings. The heruka of the ratna family or the tantric teachings connected with that deity. [ZL] [RY]
Nectar-drop of Vajrapani (phyag rdor bdud rtsi'i thig pa) and the Precious Vajra-garland of the Holder of Secrets, root text and commentary (gsang bdag gces phreng rdo rje rtsa 'brel) are found in the Collected Works of Lodrak Drupchen. See also chap.1, notes 61 and 64. [MR-ShabkarNotes]
Negative actions. {mi dge ba}. Unwholesome deeds. [RY]
Neither Presence nor Absence [of conceptions] (yod min med min). The third abode in the Formless Realm dwelling on the thought "My perception is neither absent nor present!" [RY]
Neither Presence nor Absence of Conceptions ('du shes yod min med min). The third abode in the Formless Realm dwelling on the thought "My perception is neither absent nor present!" [RY]
Nembutsu - Japanese practice of reciting the name of Amitabha (Amida); followed in Pure Land School [RY]
The Rangjung Yeshe Gilded Palace of Dharmic Activity (Front Cover)
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