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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 Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.

momo (Tib)

mog mog (Wyl)

A fried or steamed dumpling, usually filled with meat; a favorite food of Tibetans.

Monlam Chenmo (Tib)

smon lam chen mo (Wyl)

The Great Prayer Festival, initiated by Lama Tsongkhapa and conducted over the fourteen days between Tibetan New Year and the Day of Miracles (Tib: Chotrul Düchen).

Mount Kailash

The sacred mountain in Tibet, also called Precious Snow Mountain (Tib: Kang Rinpoche). In Hinduism, said to be the home of Shiva.

Mount Meru

The mythical center of the universe in Buddhist cosmology.

mudra (Skt)

chag gya (Tib); phyag rgya (Wyl)

Literally, seal or token. A symbolic hand gesture, endowed with power not unlike a mantra. A tantric consort.