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 Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.
The antidotes to the five faults when trying to attain single-pointed concentration. Faith, aspiration, effort, and pliancy are the antidotes to laziness; mindfulness is the antidote to forgetfulness; introspection is the antidote to laxity and excitement; application (of an antidote) is the antidote to non-application; and equanimity is the antidote to over-application.
Eight qualities that are said to be most conducive to developing spiritually. They are: long life, handsome or beautiful body, noble caste, wealth, power and fame, trustworthy speech, a male body and a strong body and mind. See also the four Mahayana Dharma wheels.
Also known as the sufferings of humans. The suffering of birth, old age, illness, death, encountering what is unpleasant, separation from what is pleasant, not getting what you want and the five appropriated aggregates. See also six types of suffering and three types of suffering.
A short essential mind training text composed by Geshe Langri Tangpa.
The worldly concerns that generally motivate the actions of ordinary beings: being happy when given gifts and unhappy when not given them; wanting to be happy and not wanting to be unhappy; wanting praise and not wanting criticism; wanting a good reputation and not wanting a bad reputation.
The six sense powers, the six consciousnesses and the six objects.
The subtle minds that exist below the conscious level, controlling our conscious mental activities. These minds dissolve during the latter stages of the death process.
In the sambhogakaya aspect, a buddha displays thirty-two major marks and eighty minor signs. The minor signs include very smooth hands, nails the color of copper, a perfectly proportioned body, lips of cherry color and so forth. For more details, see Rigpa Shedrup Wiki and the Dhammakaya International Society of Belgium.
Asanga's eleven-point analysis whereby the advantages of following the mind of attachment to the eight worldly dharmas is compared to following the holy Dharma. They are: worldly pleasure 1) it doesn't satisfy the whole body, the Dharma does; 2) it depends on external conditions, the Dharma doesn't; 3) it doesn't exist in all three realms, the Dharma does; 4) it is not the cause for the seven treasures of the aryas, the Dharma is; 5) its pleasure finishes by enjoying it, the Dharma's never finishes; 6) it can be destroyed by external enemies, the Dharma cannot; 7) It cannot be carried into future lives, the Dharma can; 8) it cannot bring full satisfaction, the Dharma can; 9) it is the cause of suffering, the Dharma generates no suffering; 10) it is merely labeled on a false base, the Dharma isn't; 11) it causes attachment and delusions to arise, the Dharma doesn't.
Within the perfection of morality, these are eleven ways of benefiting others. They are working for: those living in poverty, those suffering and ignorant of the right method, those who benefit us, those threatened with danger and fear, those afflicted with miseries, those who are deserted, those who are homeless, those without like-minded people, also, helping beings enter the right path, helping those on the wrong path, helping all through psychic powers.
A synthesis of the two main systems for generating bodhicitta, the seven points of cause and effect and equalizing and exchanging self and others. They are: 1) equanimity; 2) recognizing all beings as our mother; 3) recollecting their kindness; 4) repaying their kindness; 5) equalizing yourself with others; 6) reflecting on the disadvantages of self-cherishing; 7) reflecting on the advantages of cherishing others; 8) the practice of "taking" with compassion; 9) the practice of "giving" with love; 10) special intention; 11) generating the mind of bodhicitta.
