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

See dharmakaya.

Also known as all-obscuring truth or concealer truth; a more literal translation of kun dzog den pa, usually translated as conventional truth.

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

Roasted barley flour; a Tibetan staple food.

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

Born in Lhokha, South Tibet, the son of the first Serkong Dorje Chang and an incarnation of Darma Dodé. After studying at Ganden Monastery, he became a lharampa geshe, and was one of seven tsenshaps or "master debate partners" to His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama. See also Tsenshap Serkong Rinpoche 2.

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.

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

Founder of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and revitalizer of many sutra and tantra lineages and the monastic tradition in Tibet.

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

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.