Literally, “father mother,” the image of a male and female tantric deity in union, signifying the union of method and wisdom.

Spirits, usually described in Tibetan Buddhism as blood-drinking, flesh-eating cannibals, but in other forms of Buddhism they can be either malevolent or benevolent.

A guardian of the hell realm.

The Lord of Death, seen on the Wheel of Life.

The "Destroyer of Death," also known as Vajrabhairava, "Terrifying Vajra" (Tib: Droje Jigje; Wyl: rdo rje 'jigs byed). A wrathful meditational deity from the father tantra class of Highest Yoga Tantra.

Literally, vehicle; a spiritual path that  leads to an awakened state. The vehicle and spiritual journey depends on the attitude of the practitioner. See also Hinayana, Mahayana, Vajrayana.

Recognized as a reincarnation of Geshe Ngawang Gendun, Yangsi Rinpoche became a lharampa geshe at Sera Je Monastery in south India and completed his studies at Gyüme Tantric College. Having a particular wish to benefit Western students, he founded Maitripa College in 2005 in Portland, Oregon.

Transcendental Wisdom Star-Arrow, a deity used in water offering practices.

Born and educated in Tibet, he fled to India, where he met his chief disciple, Lama Zopa Rinpoche. They began teaching Westerners at Kopan Monastery in 1969 and founded the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) in 1975.

Literally, "mind-bound." One's own personal, main—or, as Lama Yeshe used to say, favorite—deity for tantric practice. The deity with which a practitioner has the strongest connection.

Literally, “to yoke” or “to unite.” In Tibetan Buddhism, yoga refers to the spiritual discipline a practitioner commits to in order to attain realizations, for example, deity yoga.

The third of four classes of Buddhist tantra, literally meaning "union" due to the increased emphasis on internal activities compared with the previous two tantras.