Male meditational deity from the father class of Highest Yoga Tantra; a manifestation of the Buddha Akshobhya.

The inspirational text written by the eighth-century Indian master, Shantideva.

See Madhyamakavatara.

A seventh century Indian scholar and disciple of Vasubandhu, Gunaprabha is best known for the root text Vinayasutra. He is usually thought to be one of the Two Supreme Ones.

Könchog Tenpai Drönme. A disciple of the first incarnation of the great Jamyang Shepa; known for his eloquent spiritual poetry and philosophical works.

A spiritual guide or teacher. One who shows a disciple the path to liberation and enlightenment. Literally, heavy—heavy with knowledge of Dharma. In tantra, one's teacher is seen as inseparable from the meditational deity and the Three Rare Sublime Ones (the Three Jewels of refuge). See also root guru.

After finding a fully qualified spiritual teacher and establishing a connection, the disciple trains in devotion using logical reasoning. The correct way to rely on the guru is through thought—seeing the guru as a buddha and remembering their kindness; and through action—carrying out the guru's advice, offering respect and service, and making material offerings.

A special Highest Yoga Tantra guru yoga practice composed by the fourth Panchen Lama, Losang Chökyi Gyaltsen.

In order to amass the two collections of merit and purify negativities and obscurations, one views the guru as inseparable from a deity and/or from the Buddha. There are various guru yoga practices, some are done in accordance with tantra, for example, Guru Puja, and some in accordance with the sutra tradition, for example, the Hundred Deities of the Land of Joy (Ganden Lha Gyäma).