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 Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.

hungry ghost

preta (Skt); yi dag (Tib); yi dwags (Wyl)

The hungry ghost realm is one of the three lower realms of cyclic existence, exemplied by incredible insatiable hunger and thirst.

ignorance

avidya (Skt); ma rig pa (Tib); ma rig pa (Wyl)

Literally, “not seeing” that which exists, or the way in which things exist. There are basically two kinds, ignorance of karma and ignorance of ultimate truth. Ignorance is the fundamental delusion from which all others spring, and is the first of the twelve links of dependent origination.

impermanence

anitya (Skt); mi tag pa (Tib); mi rtag pa (Wyl)

The gross and subtle levels of the transience of phenomena. The moment things and events come into existence, their disintegration has already begun.

imprint

vasana (Skt); pag cha (Tib); bag chags (Wyl)

The seed, or potential, left on the mind by positive or negative actions of body, speech and mind. Also translated as karmic latency or predisposing latency.

indestructible drop

mi nä pä tig le (Tib); mi gnas pa’i thig le (Wyl)

The subtle drop at the center of the heart chakra where the very subtle consciousness resides. Originating from the father's red drop and the mother's white one, it consists of two halves, which split at the moment of death to release the very subtle consciousness.

Indra

A powerful Hindu deity in the god realm.

inherent (or intrinsic) existence

rang zhin gyi drub pa (Tib); rang bzhin gyis grub pa (Wyl)

What phenomena are empty of; the object of negation, or refutation. To ignorance, phenomena appear to exist independently or inherently, in and of themselves. See also: emptiness.

initiation

abhisheka (Skt); wang(Tib); dbang (Wyl)

Transmission received from a tantric master allowing a disciple to engage in the practices of a particular meditational deity. It is also referred to as an empowerment. Tantric masters willl also often give a jenang, which is permission to practice a particular deity, rather than a full empowerment.