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 Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.
Longchen Rabjampa (1308–64)
A great Buddhist teacher and master of the Nyingma tradition who composed many major texts and practices.
lorig (Tib)
Awareness and knowledge, the study of mind and mental factors, in order to understand and control the delusions.
loving kindness
In the context of the seven points of cause and effect, the wish for all beings to have happiness, with the added dimension of yi ong (beautiful or affectionate); often translated as “affectionate loving kindness.” Lama Zopa Rinpoche suggests this is the “loving kindness of seeing others in beauty.”
lower capable being
The first of the three levels of practice or scopes, the lower capable being has the goal of a better future existence. See also middle and higher capable being, and three levels of practice.
lower nirvana
See liberation.
lower realms
The three realms of cyclic existence with the most suffering: the hell, hungry ghost and animal realms.