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 Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.

mala (Skt)

threng wa (Tib); phreng ba (Wyl)

A rosary of beads for counting mantras.

mandala (Skt)

khyil khor (Tib); dkyil 'khor (Wyl)

A circular diagram symbolic of the entire universe. The purified environment of a tantric deity; the diagram or painting representing this.

mandala offering

The symbolic offering of the entire purified universe to the spiritual teacher (guru) and the visualized merit field.

mani pills

Medicinal pills made by Tibetan monks and nuns, very effective for healing mental and physical problems. The name comes from the Chenrezig (Skt: Avalokiteshvara) mantra, OM MANI PADME HUM, which is chanted as the pills are made.

Manjushri (Skt)

Jampelyang (Tib); 'jam dpal dbyangs (Wyl)

The bodhisattva (or buddha) of wisdom. Recipient of the wisdom lineage of Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings, which he passed on to Nagarjuna.

mantra (Skt)

ngag (Tib); sngags (Wyl)

Literally, mind protection. Mantras are Sanskrit syllables usually recited in conjunction with the practice of a particular meditational deity and embody the qualities of that deity.