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Glossary

This glossary contains an alphabetical list of Buddhist terms that you may find on this website. Many of the terms now include phoneticized Sanskrit (Skt) as well as two forms of Tibetan—the phonetic version (Tib), which is a guide to pronunciation, and transliteration using the Wylie method (Wyl). Search for the term you want by entering it in the search box or browse through the listing by clicking on the letters below. Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.

Indra

A powerful Hindu deity in the god realm.

inherent (or intrinsic) existence

rang zhin gyi drub pa (Tib); rang bzhin gyis grub pa (Wyl)

What phenomena are empty of; the object of negation, or refutation. To ignorance, phenomena appear to exist independently or inherently, in and of themselves. See also: emptiness.

initiation

abhisheka (Skt); wang(Tib); dbang (Wyl)

Transmission received from a tantric master allowing a disciple to engage in the practices of a particular meditational deity. It is also referred to as an empowerment. Tantric masters willl also often give a jenang, which is permission to practice a particular deity, rather than a full empowerment. 

inner being

nangpa (Tib); nang pa (Wyl)

Another term for a Buddhist, so called because the person has entered "inside" the teachings of the Buddha by taking heartfelt refuge in the Three Jewels, thus differentiating from an outer being who relies on non-Buddhist philosophies and external phenomena as sources of happiness.

inner Dharma

The Dharma practiced by Buddhists, as opposed to "outer Dharma" which is practiced by non-Buddhists.

inner fire

tummo (Tib); gtum mo (Wyl)

The energy residing at the navel chakra, aroused during the completion stage of Highest Yoga Tantra, and used to bring the energy winds into the central channel. It is also called inner or psychic heat.