An abbreviation of the Tibetan rabtu jungwa, (Wyl: rab tu byung ba), literally "one who goes forth." A rabjung has taken the five lay vows and promises to abide by the renunciate vows of novice ordination (Tib: getsul; getsulma) in preparation for formally taking the vows later. The rabjung also pledges to renounce lay clothes and signs, wear the robes of an ordained person and shave the head, and follow the teachings of the Buddha.

The female equivalent of a rabjung.

The learned Gelugpa lama who was a religious assistant to His Holiness the Dalai Lama before moving to Switzerland in 1975; a guru of Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.

Lama Yeshe's and Lama Zopa Rinpoche's first Western student, she helped them establish Kopan Monastery and died in retreat in Solu Khumbu, Nepal.

A town in Bihar, northern India; the ancient capital of Magadha kingdom. Vulture's Peak is nearby.

Human-like beings, usually depicted as being very evil, even man-eaters. A shortened version, raksha, is often used.

One of the five buddha types (Dhyani Buddhas), yellow in color, representing the wisdom of equality and the purification of the feeling aggregate.

The I that appears to exist inherently from its own side without depending on causes and conditions, parts or the mind's imputation. It is the object to be refuted.

A mind that holds a stable, correct understanding of a Dharma subject, such as emptiness, that effects a deep change within the continuum of the person. The effortless experience resulting from study, contemplation and meditation that is ripened and nurtured by purification and accumulation of merit and supported by guru devotion practices. Realization begins with a conceptual understanding then progresses toward a non-conceptual direct experience where the mind and its object become indistinguishable, like water into water.

Also known as Dorje Drakpa; the "moon-like" disciple of Milarepa.

The door to the Dharma path. Having taken refuge from the heart we become an inner being or Buddhist. There are three levels of refuge—Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana—and two or three causes necessary for taking refuge: fearing the sufferings of samsara in general and lower realms in particular; faith that Buddha, Dharma and Sangha have the qualities and power to lead us to happiness, liberation and enlightenment; and (for Mahayana refuge) compassion for all sentient beings. See also absolute refuge, causal refuge, conventional refuge and resultant refuge.

See conventional bodhicitta.