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Advaya + (Often used to reference the ultimate truth, which is beyond dualistic conceptions such as subject and object and so forth.)
Prajñā + (One of the most important terms in Buddhis … One of the most important terms in Buddhist philosophy, ''prajñā'', or ''sherab'' in Tibetan, has the sense of "higher knowing" or "special insight." This is the ''prajñā'' in ''prajñāpāramitā'', and it is associated with the wisdom that perceives/knows the actual nature of reality. See also ''jñāna''.ual nature of reality. See also ''jñāna''.)
Paramārthasatya + (Reality as it appears to an enlightened being, in which all phenomena are perceived to be empty of an individual, permanent essence. This is contrasted to the "relative truth" as experienced by unenlightened beings.)
Saṃvṛtisatya + (Reality as it is experienced by ordinary p … Reality as it is experienced by ordinary people whose perception is clouded by ignorance, in contrast to "ultimate truth" or "absolute truth," which is reality as perceived by an enlightened being. Relative truth has practical value in daily life, but upon examination all phenomena are found to be empty of individual, permanent existence. empty of individual, permanent existence.)
Tattva + (Reality or the natural state of things are called suchness or thatness in order to indicate that reality is the nature as it is without any any fabrication or imputation.)
Niḥsvabhāvatā + (Since phenomena are dependent on causes and conditions, their mode of being is generally characterized as an absence of self-nature or personally distinct essence.)
Rang stong + (Since relative phenomena arise in dependen … Since relative phenomena arise in dependence on causes and conditions, they cannot be said to exist based solely on their own defining characteristics. Thus they are deemed to be empty of an innate nature. As a noun, this term generally refers to the more traditional, or orthodox, philosophical stance of the Madhyamaka school and its view of emptiness, as opposed to those who profess other-emptiness (''gzhan stong''). For the latter group, self-emptiness is also asserted to be true, but it is only used to describe the relative truth. However, for traditional Mādhyamikas, emptiness is universally applied, and thus the lack of inherent existence is itself the ultimate truth.nt existence is itself the ultimate truth.)
Sūtra + (Sūtras originally referred to the aphorist … Sūtras originally referred to the aphoristic sayings and discourses, although one can find many exegetical and descriptive sūtras. In the Buddhist tradition, sūtras are generally considered to be the words of the Buddha or his immediate disciples, in contrast to the commentarial or synoptic literature, some of which summarized and condensed the teachings in the sūtras.and condensed the teachings in the sūtras.)
Saṃbhogakāya +
Byams chos sde lnga + (The list of five is: ''Ornament of Clear R … The list of five is: ''Ornament of Clear Realization (Abhisamayālaṃkāra, mngon rtogs rgyan); Ornament for the Mahāyāna Sūtras (Mahāyānasūtrālaṃkāra, theg pa chen po mdo sde rgyan); Differentiation of the Middle and the Extremes (Madhyāntavibhāga, dbus mtha' rnam 'byed); Differentiation of Phenomena and Their Nature (Dharmadharmatāvibhāga, chos dang chos nyid rnam 'byed)''; and ''The Mahāyāna Treatise of the Highest Continuum (Ratnagotravibhāga Mahāyānottaratantraśāstra, theg pa chen po rgyud bla ma'i bstan bcos)''.g pa chen po rgyud bla ma'i bstan bcos)''.)
Tha mal gyi shes pa + (The mind in its natural state. Often used as a synonym for the nature of mind and buddha-nature.)
Dpyad sgom + (The practical approach to gaining incontro … The practical approach to gaining incontrovertible conceptual certainty is called analytical meditation or superior insight. ([[Brunnhölzl]], ''[[The Center of the Sunlit Sky]]'', 29)"Another division of meditation is into “the analytical meditation of scholars” and “the resting meditation of mendicants,” or simply analytical meditation and resting meditation. The analytical meditation of scholars refers to the intellectual examination of all phenomena through reasoning. There are two key terms here: “discriminating knowledge” and “personally experienced wisdom.” The first step in this analytical meditation is to cultivate discriminating knowledge. This refers to all the levels of increasingly refined inferential valid cognition that are based on reasoning and developed through studying, reflecting, and meditating." ([[Brunnhölzl]], ''[[The Center of the Sunlit Sky]]'', 279)"The general scope of analytical meditation encompasses all of the teachings of the Buddha, starting from contemplating impermanence and the preciousness of human existence up through ascertaining the two kinds of identitylessness. Resting meditation includes all types of meditations in which the conclusions achieved through preceding investigation become absorbed by the mind." ([[Brunnhölzl]], ''[[The Center of the Sunlit Sky]]'', 281) Sunlit Sky]]'', 281))
Paratantrasvabhāva + (The relatively dependent nature of phenomena and the consciousness that perceives them.)
Tantra + (The term implies a continuum or stream and is thus used to refer to scriptures which teach a substrate nature, such as buddha-nature, that underlies empirical phenomena.)
Trikāya + (The three aspects of perfect enlightenment … The three aspects of perfect enlightenment of a buddha: the enlightened state of one's mind after full transformation, the pure physical existence one attains as a result of inner perfection, and the myriad forms one can emanate from the enlightened state to help others.from the enlightened state to help others.)
Dharmadhātu + (The ultimate source of phenomenal appearances, or the basic nature which allows for phenomena to arise in all their multiplicity. It is often treated as a synonym for emptiness and the ultimate truth.)
Nītārtha + (The unadulterated truth, in the sense of something that is taught explicitly without any underlying intention or need for further interpretation.)
Ekayāna + (There is ultimately only one way to become a buddha.)
Triviṣa + (These three are traditionally featured as … These three are traditionally featured as the central hub in depictions of the so-called wheel of life (Skt. ''bhāvacakra'', Tib. ''srid pa'i 'khor lo''). In these images they are represented by a pig known for sleeping in their own filth and other such behavior as the embodiment of ''moha'', a type of Indian bird that is known for its possessive attachment to its mate as the embodiment of ''rāga'', and a snake that is quick to strike at the slightest provocation as the embodiment of ''dveṣa''. These three are likewise depicted as chasing after, or being pulled along, by each other in a circle to demonstrate how these emotional reactions feed into each other and thus perpetuate this cycle. Though sometimes it is the pig which is pictured biting the tails of both the bird and the snake to show that both those emotional responses are rooted in our lack of understanding.s are rooted in our lack of understanding.)
Buddhadhātu + (This is most likely the direct source of t … This is most likely the direct source of the English term ''buddha-nature'' via its translation into Chinese and Japanese. These traditions tended to treat the Sanskrit terms ''dhātu'', ''gotra'', and ''garbha'' as synonyms when compounded with the term ''buddha'', though the translation of ''buddhadhātu'' seems to have been adopted as the standard technical term to reference the buddha-nature doctrine, as it could cover a wider range of possible meanings. In other words, the term ''dhātu'' could more easily reference both the causal aspect of this nature, commonly associated with the term ''gotra'', and the fruition aspect of this nature, commonly associated with the term ''garbha''.monly associated with the term ''garbha''.)
Paryudāsapratiṣedha + (This is the type of negation most commonly used by proponents of other-emptiness. For instance, by denying the existence of adventitious stains, they imply the presence of enlightened qualities.)
Śūnyatā + (Though emptiness is generally predicated o … Though emptiness is generally predicated on the dependent origination of relative phenomena, it is a dialectic method of explaining the ultimate truth through a negative assertion and thereby highlighting what true reality lacks, rather than making a positive assertion of what that reality actually is.ssertion of what that reality actually is.)
Thugs dam + (Thugs dam generally refers to meditation a … Thugs dam generally refers to meditation and spiritual commitment of a religious practitioner but often has the specific meaning of remaining in the state of meditation after death in the Himalayan Buddhist tradition. Highly realised beings are said to remain in this state for period after their death until their enlightened spirit leaves the physical body.lightened spirit leaves the physical body.)

Saṃbhogakāya + (The enjoyment body of the buddha is so called for its perfect and luxurious nature. It is the highest physical form and normally enumerated as one of the three enlightened bodies of a buddha beside truth and emanation bodies.)

Vajrapada + (''Vajra'' has a variety of meanings depend … ''Vajra'' has a variety of meanings depending on the context, thus it is often left untranslated. For instance, it can refer to both a physical diamond and something which has the physical qualities of a diamond (i.e., something that is indestructible or indivisible). In this latter sense it is often rendered as "adamantine." In the ''Ratnagotravibhāga'' the seven main topics of the treatise are called "vajra" subjects because they are difficult to penetrate through an understanding that is arrived at through merely hearing or contemplating. In other words, they require direct experience.her words, they require direct experience.)
Ālayavijñāna + (A central tenet of the Yogācāra school, in which it is listed as the eighth consciousness. It is also sometimes equated with tathāgatagarbha, in particular in its latent or impure form at the stage of ordinary sentient beings.)
Anātman + (A key feature of the Buddha's teachings that stood in direct contrast to the mainstream Indian religious-philosophical notion of an eternal self, or ātman.)
Rgyu'i rgyud + (A proxy term for buddha-nature found in tantric literature.)
Tathatā + (A synonym for emptiness or the nature of things, ''dharmatā''; it can also be used to describe the unity of dependent origination and emptiness. (Source: Erik Pema Kunsang, ''Lamp of Mahamudra'', 1989.))
Dhātu + (A term that has numerous meanings dependin … A term that has numerous meanings depending on the context, including physical realms or regions, the (five) elements, as well as aspects of the sense organs, bases, and fields. In terms of buddha-nature theory, it is often treated as synonymous with terms like ''gotra'' and ''garbha'' or even as equivalents of buddha-nature itself, such as ''sugatagarbha''.a-nature itself, such as ''sugatagarbha''.)
Amalavijñāna + (According to East Asian Yogācāra, the abso … According to East Asian Yogācāra, the absolute purity of mind of a buddha. While the Sanskrit term appears in Vasubandhu's ''Abidharmakośa'' and the accompanying ''Bhaṣya'', the term as it is used in the sense of pure consciousness was first used in Chinese by Paramārtha and then expanded and changed by later Chinese Yogācāra writers. While Paramārtha associated it with thusness and used it to refer to a catalyst for enlightenment, it has come to refer to a ninth consciousness which only appears when the ālayavijñāna, the eighth consciousness, ceases. As such, it is pure, luminous, and permanent. Some writers, however, have equated it to the pure aspect of the ālayavijñāna, as well as with prakṛtiprabhāsvaracitta (the absolute purity of mind), tathāgatagarbha, and even emptiness.ind), tathāgatagarbha, and even emptiness.)
Ka dag + (All things in Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna Buddh … All things in Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna Buddhism are said to be primordially empty and thus pure and free from extremes and defilements. More specifically, primordial purity refers to the nature of consciousness or buddha-nature, which is empty by nature but endowed with spontaneous luminosity. Primordial purity is the empty aspect of the buddha-nature which is primordially present in all beings.ich is primordially present in all beings.)
'jog sgom + (Also called Settling meditation (Skt. ''st … Also called Settling meditation (Skt. ''sthāpyabhāvanā''; Tib. འཇོག་སྒོམ་, ''jokgom'' or ''jok gom'', Wyl. '' 'jog sgom'') — the counterpart of analytical meditation. The practice of settling or resting the mind, which is alternated with periods of analysis or visualization.Ringu Tulku Rinpoche says:"Whenever we reach a conclusion, or simply get tired, we just remain, settled in peace. This part is a little like shamatha." (Source: Rigpa Wiki)"In placement meditation one goes directly into deep Shamatha meditation and then one "looks at mind" directly without any analysis and perceives its emptiness." (Thrangu Rinpoche, ''Transcending Ego'', 86).rangu Rinpoche, ''Transcending Ego'', 86).)
Tsen Tradition + (Also known as the "meditative tradition" ( … Also known as the "meditative tradition" (''sgom lugs''), this form of exegesis was primarily concerned with the practical application of the teachings contained in the ''Uttaratantra'' as a means to experience buddha-nature for oneself. However, both the Tsen Tradition and its opposing counterpart, the Ngok Tradition, reportedly came from a single source, the Kashmiri scholar-yogi Sajjana.source, the Kashmiri scholar-yogi Sajjana.)
Ngok Tradition + (Also known as the analytic tradition (''th … Also known as the analytic tradition (''thos bsam gyi lugs''), literally, "the tradition of hearing and contemplating," this form of exegesis explicated the ''Uttaratantra'' through philosophical reasoning and debate and thus entailed a primarily scholastic approach to the treatise. However, both the Ngok Tradition and its opposing counterpart, the Tsen Tradition, reportedly came from a single source, the Kashmiri scholar-yogi Sajjana.source, the Kashmiri scholar-yogi Sajjana.)
Dharmakāya + (Although this term is sometimes rendered i … Although this term is sometimes rendered into English as “truth body,” dharmakāya seems to have originally been meant to refer to the entire corpus (''kāya'') of the Buddha’s transcendent qualities (''dharma''). (''The Princeton Dictionary of Buddhism'', p. 242)rinceton Dictionary of Buddhism'', p. 242))
Vajrayāna + (An adamantine system for being based on the innate nature of reality and using the state of Buddha as a way to actualize enlightenment.)
Bodhicitta + (As this is the desire to achieve and help achieve the state of enlightenment for all sentient beings, it is called the thought or mind of awakening or enlightenment.)
Atiyoga + (Atiyoga is considered to be the highest yoga or path which can help attain Buddhahood very swiftly and easily by simply realising that all phenomena are expressions of the primordial wisdom.)
Pratyekabuddha + (Because the pratyekabuddhas work on their own to seek enlightenment for themselves, they are considered as self-centred, but because they are superior to the śrāvakas but inferior to the buddhas in their calibre, they are called middling buddhas.)
Śrāvaka + (Because they mainly rely on the words of the Buddha in their spiritual practice, they are known as Hearers or Listeners. The śrāvaka vehicle is the one of the three vehicles or yānas in Buddhism beside the vehicles of Solitary Realizers and Bodhisattvas)
Bodhigarbha + (Buddha-nature in its ultimate sense as the primordially existing essence of buddhahood present in all beings. It is treated as a Tantric/Dzogchen equivalent of the more Sūtra-based terms ''tathāgatagarbha'' and ''sugatagarbha''.)
Dzogchen + (Dzogchen, or Great Perfection, refers more specifically to the nature of awareness, which is the innate state of perfect enlightenment latent in the mind. More broadly, it refers to the associated system of teachings, theories, and practices.)
Nirmāṇakāya + (Emanation body is considered as an apparit … Emanation body is considered as an apparitional form and thus not the actual physical form of a buddha but one projected for the purpose of helping sentient beings. This concept became later conflated with the Tibetan culture of religious incarnation and many lamas who are considered to be rebirths of earlier ones are also referred to as trulku.rlier ones are also referred to as trulku.)
Bodhi + (Enlightenment has the sense of complete ac … Enlightenment has the sense of complete actualization of one's true nature or total understanding of reality and freedom from suffering that comes from achieving that realization. Enlightenment (Skt., ''bodhi''; Tib., ''byang chub'') is a state that can potentially be attained by any being with a mind. The very nature of the mind as a clear and radiant entity, and of the defilements as adventitious entities that are not essential to our nature, is what allows for the possibility of mental purification, and hence of enlightenment. The clearest doctrinal formulation of this idea is to be found in the concept of buddha-nature (''tathagatagarbha''; ''de bzhin gshegs pa'i snying po''). Whether buddha-nature is the primordial presence of an enlightened state in the minds of beings, something that merely needs to be uncovered, or only a potential that permits the attainment of that state is of course a disputed point in the tradition. Here, it is only important to note that the vast majority of Mahāyāna schools maintain that all beings, regardless of birth, race, social status, and gender, are capable of the attainment of the state of human perfection known as enlightenment.Source: page 192, “Liberation: An Indo-Tibetan Perspective” by José Ignacio Cabezón. Buddhist-Christian Studies, Vol. 12 (1992), pp. 191-198 Published by: University of Hawai'i Press Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1389971 URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1389971)
Pratītyasamutpāda + (In Madhyamaka thought it is used to describe the relative level of the truth. Since phenomena come into being interdependently at this level, they are therefore empty of inherent existence at the ultimate level.)
Mahāmudrā + (It has a sense of being the binding force and refers to the reality of all things. Just as a seal makes a document binding, reality binds all things, including our understanding of the true nature of things. It also refers to a symbolic gesture.)
Sarvākāravaropetāśūnyatā + (It is an important term in the Mahāmudrā teachings, as well as in various Tibetan traditions that have a connection to buddha-nature theory, such as those associated with other-emptiness (''gzhan stong'').)
Pariniṣpannasvabhāva + (Of the three natures, this one is representative of the ultimate truth.)