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 Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.

right-seeing path

darshana-marga (Skt); tong lam (Tib); mthong lam (Wyl)

The third of the five paths to buddhahood; attained with the direct perception of emptiness. Also called the path of seeing.

rinpoche (Tib)

rin po che (Wyl)

Literally, "precious one." Epithet for an incarnate lama, that is, one who has intentionally taken rebirth in a human form to benefit sentient beings on the path to enlightenment.

ripening result

One of the four ways we can experience the results of an action; the ripening result is the actual realm we are born into when we take rebirth.

Rolwaling

The valley in Solu Khumbu, Nepal, were Lama Zopa Rinpoche was sent as a young boy to study.

root delusions

mulaklesha (Skt); tsa wä nyonmong (Tib); rtsa ba'i nyong mongs (Wyl)

One of the six groups of mental factors, these are the afflicted or nonvirtuous minds that subsequently lead to the secondary delusions. There are six: attachment, anger, pride, ignorance, afflicted doubt and afflicted view.

root guru

tsa wä lama (Tib); rtsa ba’i bla ma (Wyl)

The teacher who has had the greatest influence upon a particular disciple’s entering or following the spiritual path.

rupakaya (Skt)

form body; zug ku (Tib); gzugs sku (Wyl)

The form body of a fully enlightened being; the result of the complete and perfect accumulation of merit. It has two aspects: sambhogakaya (enjoyment body), in which the enlightened mind appears in order to benefit highly realized bodhisattvas, and nirmanakaya (emanation body), in which the enlightened mind appears in a form that can benefit ordinary beings. See also dharmakaya, two kayas, three kayas and four kayas.