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 Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.
Glossary
Hundred Deities of Tushita
gan den lha gyä ma (Tib) dga' ldan lha brgya'i ma (Wyl)
Ganden Lha Gyäma or Lama Tsongkhapa Guru Yoga, a practice performed daily in Gelug monasteries. Note: Land of Joy, Ganden (Tib) and Tushita (Skt) are synonymous. See also guru yoga.
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.
illusory body
gyu lu (Tib); sgyu lus (Wyl)
A subtle body generated through practice of the completion stage of Highest Yoga Tantra; the cause of the rupakaya.
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.