See channel.

The great second-century Indian philosopher and tantric adept who propounded the Madhyamaka philosophy of emptiness. He is one of six great Indian scholars, known as the Six Ornaments.

A snake-like being of the animal realm that lives in or near bodies of water; commonly associated with fertility of the land, but can also function as a protector of religion.

Food; one of the offering substances.

A Mahayana Buddhist monastic university founded in the fifth century in north India, not far from Bodhgaya, which served as a major source of the Buddhist teachings that spread to Tibet.

Geshe Wangchen was educated at Drepung Monastery in Tibet. He served as the resident teacher at Jamyang Buddhist Centre, London, for many years, and is now a respected teacher at the re-established Drepung Monastery in south India.

One of three long-life deities, with Amitayus and White Tara.

A traditional Tibetan hagiography (sacred biography) of a spiritual teacher. The purpose of the namtar is to inspire and instruct readers on the path to enlightenment.

One of the Four Great Kings, the protectors of the Buddha’s Vinaya teachings

The half-brother of Shakyamuni Buddha, whose attachment was overcome by the Buddha's skillful means.

See inner offering.

Hell, either an overall term for the hell realm, or a specific term, as in the hot hells or cold hells.