A discourse of the Buddha recognized as a canonical text.

One of the three baskets (Tripitaka) of the Buddha's teachings. See also Abhidharma and Vinaya.

See Sautrantika.

The Sutra Vehicle, another name for Bodhisattvayana or Paramitayana; the non-tantric path that encompasses both Hinayana practices such as the thirty-seven wings of enlightenment and Mahayana practices such as the six perfections, in order to gather the two accumulations of merit and wisdom, the respective causes of the rupakaya and the dharmakaya, hence its other name, the causal vehicle.

The essential purity of the mind that is the dharmakaya (truth body). See also jnanakaya.

The Middle Way Autonomy school, a sub-school of the Middle Way school of Buddhist philosophy. The Autonomy school accepts autonomous reasons and does not assert true establishment even conventionally. There are two divisions: 1) Sutra Middle Way Autonomists (Skt: Sautrantika-Svatantrika-Madhyamaka) and 2) Yogic Middle Way Autonomists (Skt: Yogacara-Svatantrika-Madhyamaka). See also Prasangika Madhyamaka and the four Buddhist philosophical schools.

Also called Swayambhunath; the ancient stupa complex in Kathmandu Valley, west of the city.

The meditation practice of generating bodhicitta by taking on the suffering of others and giving them happiness. See also equalizing and exchanging the self with others.

See chulen.

Literally, thread, or continuity. The secret teachings of the Buddha; a scriptural text and the teachings and practices it contains. Also called Vajrayana or Mantrayana.

Vows taken by tantric practitioners.

A female meditational deity who embodies the enlightened activity of all the buddhas; often referred to as the mother of the buddhas of the past, present and future. The Twenty-one Praises to Tara prayer is usually recited before debate sessions at Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.

A Highest Yoga Tantra aspect of Tara that is especially practiced by the Gelug lineage.