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Glossary of Terms

Following is a glossary of terms. All non-English terms are Sanskrit unless otherwise indicated.

ABC | DEF | GHI | JKL | MNO | PQR | STU | VWXYZ

Amitabha A Tibetan deity. This is the red dhyani buddha associated with the fire mandala. Amitabha is also associated with two important deities practised at Friends of the Heart: Chenrezig and White Tara.

anapanasati Mindfulness of breath. One of the fundamental meditation exercises. Breath meditation is the most common in all schools of Buddhism.

anatta The doctrine of no-abiding-self. It is usually studied along with anicca (impermanence) and dukkha (suffering).

anicca The doctrine of impermanence. It is usually studied along with anatta (no abiding self) and dukkha (suffering).

arhat A person who has destroyed his or her delusions and attained liberation from cyclic existence.

B

bhavana Cultivation of mind, especially by meditation.

bodhicitta Literally, mind of awakening. There are two types of bodhicitta: "relative bodhicittaÓ is our aspiration to awaken for the sake of all beings. This is distinct from "absolute bodhicittaÓ, which is the realization of emptiness.

bodhisattva A practitioner who works for the benefit and enlightenment of all beings.

C

chakra, cakra Literally, wheel. A centre of subtle or refined energy in the energy body. It concentrates, transforms, and distributes the energy that streams through it.

Ch'an (Chinese) More commonly known in the West by its Japanese name, Zen. See Zen.

Chenrezig (Tibetan) A deity embodying compassion. In Sanskrit, Avalokitesvara.

D

deva A celestial being, somewhat like an angel.

dharma Teachings of the Buddha. Also, dharmas are elements of existence.

dharmadhatu Literally, the root of dharma, i.e., emptiness.

dharmakaya The realm beyond form, the all-inclusive emptiness concomitant with full potentiality.

dhyani buddhas Literally, meditation buddhas. These are the personifications of the element mandalas.

dorje (Tibetan) A dorje is a ritual object used in tantric practice that symbolizes a thunderbolt. A single dorje has two ends, a double dorje four. In Sanskrit, vajra.

dukkha The doctrine of suffering. It is usually studied along with anicca (impermanence) and anatta (no abiding self).

E

enlightenment Also referred to as awakening. A state in which the practitioner achieves freedom from the mind's limitations, having broken through to the realization of non-duality and emptiness.

Eightfold Noble Path The Buddhist "roadmapÓ to spiritual unfoldment which consists of: 1) right view, 2) right attitude, 3) right speech, 4) right action, 5) right livelihood, 6) right effort, 7) right mindfulness, and 8) right contemplation.

H

hinayana Literally, Lesser Vehicle. Refers to meditation styles that emphasize practice for one's own enlightenment, rather than for the benefit of others. The term was originally coined by mahayana practitioners during the early mahayana-Theravada split to disparage those who did not adopt their newer doctrines, and is still sometimes used (ignorantly) in this way.

I

initiation Also called abhisheka (Sanskrit) or wongkur (Tibetan), initiations are tantric ceremonies in which a qualified lama introduces practitioners to a particular mystical vibration.

J

jhana A state of absorbed contemplation attained by meditation. Jhana is usually described as having four levels. Each level indicates a deeper layer of calm and focus has been achieved.

jñana Original wisdom or pristine awareness. This is the original awareness that speaks to our ultimate or true nature.

K

kasina (Pali) Refers to physical devices used as objects of meditation, usually simple circles made of natural material or drawn on paper.

kundalini The psychic energy coiled at the base of the spine. Under certain circumstances this energy can be employed in practices for awakening.

L

lama (Tibetan) An honorary term for senior Tibetan teachers.

M

mahamudra Literally, great symbol or great seal. The realization of the true nature of mind. It refers to both to the ordered series of practices and meditations, and to the awakened state of enlightenment to which they lead. The practices of mahamudra enable us to bring spiritual work into every moment of life.

mahayana Literally, great vehicle. A direction in Buddhist thought that emphasizes aspiration for enlightenment for the sake of others.

mandala Literally, circle, arch, section. A symbolic design that includes a centre and periphery, used for the purpose of contemplation.

Manjushri A bodhisattva of discriminating wisdom, Manjushri is always shown with a sword (the sword of truth) in his right hand and the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom) sutra in his left. One of the three main bodhisattvas of Tibetan Buddhism: Chenrezig (compassion), Manjushri (discriminating wisdom), and Vajrapani (power).

mantra A formula or invocation, spoken or written, used in Tibetan Buddhism or in some schools of Zen, designed to cultivate certain aspects of mind. The most famous mantra is Om Mani Padme Hum, found throughout Tibet and usually translated as "Hail to the Jewel in the LotusÓ. There are many deeper meanings as well. This mantra is associated with Chenrezig, the yidam of compassion.

mudra Symbolic gestures or bodily postures used in meditation practice.

N

nirmanakaya The realm of truth incarnated in an ordinary person.

nirvana Liberation from samsara. From a root meaning "extinguished through lack of fuelÓ.

P

paramita Literally, perfection. A quality one must develop in order to move towards enlightenment. The Six Paramitas are: generosity (dana), morality (sila), patience (ksanti), energy (viriya), meditative absorption (jhana), and wisdom (prajna).

prana The invisible, subtle energy we take in when we breathe.

pranayama Breath control. A type of yogic technique that uses control of the breath to achieve certain psycho-physical results.

precepts There are five precepts that represent a minimum moral code to be followed by all Buddhists. They are fully explained in our Code of Conduct for Members but, briefly, include a pledge to refrain from killing, from stealing and from telling lies, not to misuse sexual energy, and not to abuse substances that cloud the mind.

R

refuge, taking refuge The practice of repeatedly turning the mind to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (the Three Jewels) as a refuge from the inevitable suffering of samsara.

S

sadhana A text that describes and formalizes a tantric meditation. Sadhanas are used for tantric practice to evoke specific meditative experiences.

samadhi Meditative concentration.

samaya Samayas are commitments engendered by the links between a practitioner and the teachings.

samboghakaya The realm of the fine material form of the deities, devas, yidams, and bodhisattvas.

samsara The cycle of conditioned existence based on ignorance and characterized by suffering.

sangha The teachers and community of meditators.

Shakyamuni Literally, the Sage of the Shakyas. The historical Buddha, whose family name was Shakya.

shamatha A style of meditation that emphasizes tranquility of mind. This is distinct from "vipassanaÓ meditations, that emphasize insight.

siddhi Spiritual powers.

skandha Literally, aggregate or heap. Refers to the five elements of existence that form a sentient being.

Sufi, Sufism (Arabic, from "sufÓ, wool) Sufism, like Buddhism, is a way of life. It develops an inner way to mystical union with God. It frequently wears the cloak of Islam, and is sometimes seen as the esoteric dimension of the Islamic faith. A Sufi may or may not embrace Islam, but will be respectful of all faiths, seeing the path of truth that lies within their core.

sutra Sutras (in Pali, suttas) are parts of the Buddhist canon that contains the dialogues or discourses of the Buddha.

T

tantra Writings dating from the 6th century A.D. in India. These describe systems of meditation with the use of ritual.

Tara The yidam Tara has many aspects, each symbolized by different colours and attributes. The main aspects are White Tara and Green Tara. Green Tara is often invoked to help ward off fear and danger. White Tara is often invoked to strengthen the thread of life and of health for oneself and for others.

thanka, thangka (Tibetan) A thangka is a Tibetan scroll painting of a divinity or mandala. The iconographic themes are fixed by tradition and are based on the expression of the figures, the proportions of the figures and other elements, and details such as what the figures are holding, what they are wearing, what other elements appear in the painting.

Theravada Literally, the tradition of the elders. Refers to the oldest Buddhist schools that emphasize strict adherence to the Dharma as it is presented in the sutras.

V

vajra See dorje.

Vajradhara In Tibetan, Dorje Chang. A reflex of Akshobya and Vajrasattva, who is sometimes described as a dharmakaya form of Shakyamuni Buddha. Vajradhara is also closely related to Samantabhadra, also considered the dharmakaya essence of all enlightened activity. Vajradhara is the blue figure shown at the centre of most Tibetan refuge trees.

vajrayana Literally, diamond vehicle. This refers to a style of Buddhism that originally developed in India but was adopted and greatly refined in Tibet. It is characterized by a psychological method based on highly developed ritual practices. Because of extensive reliance on the tantras, it is sometimes referred to as tantrayana.

vipassana Literally, insight. A style of meditation that emphasizes intuitive vision. This is distinct from "samathaÓ meditations, that emphasize tranquility.

Y

yidam (Tibetan) Meditational deities who are embodiments of particular aspects of enlightenment.

Z

Zen (Japanese; in Chinese, Ch'an) A style of Buddhism that evolved from the teachings of Bodhidharma, who came to China in the 6th century. Although meditation (zazen) is an important part of the practice of Zen, Zen itself includes every possible form of activity, from martial arts to flower arranging; from landscape gardening to the tea ceremony.