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 Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.

wind

lung (Tib); rlung (Wyl)

Energy-winds. Subtle energies that flow in the channels in the body, which enable the body to function and which are associated with different levels of mind. See also lung (wind disease).

wisdom

Different levels of insight into the nature of reality. There are, for example, the three wisdoms of hearing, contemplation and meditation. Ultimately, there is the wisdom realizing emptiness, which frees us from cyclic existence and eventually brings us to enlightenment. The complete and perfect accumulation of wisdom results in dharmakaya. In order to attain buddhahood, practitioners must engage in both wisdom and method.

wish-granting jewel

cintamani (Skt); yizhin norbu (Tib); yid bzhin nor bu (Wyl)

Also called "wish-fulfilling jewel". A jewel that brings its possessor everything that they desire.