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 Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.

true existence

den par yö pa (Tib); bden par yod pa (Wyl)

The concrete, real existence from its own side that everything appears to possess; in fact, both self and phenomena are empty of true existence.

tsa tsa (Tib)

A print of a buddha’s image made in clay or plaster from a carved mold.

tsenshab (Tib)

The title given to master debating partners of the Dalai Lama.

Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche 2 (b. 1984)

Born in Spiti Valley, India, and recognized as the incarnation of Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Rinpoche commenced his studies at Ganden Jangtse Monastery in South India at the age of six and continued his education at the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala, where he attained the status of Master of Madhyamika Buddhist Philosophy. Rinpoche is now based in Dharamsala and teaches Buddhist philosophy in India and abroad.

tsog (Tib)

ganachakra (Skt); tshogs (Wyl)

Literally, gathering—a gathering of offering substances and a gathering of disciples to make the offering.

Tsum

A region in Nepal, where Geshe Lama Konchog (and his reincarnation) was born.

tukdam (Tib)

thugs dam (Wyl)

A state of meditation in which a great spiritual master with deep insight into emptiness remains absorbed in clear light after their death. The meditative absorption may last for days, weeks or months. Read more about tukdam here.