Rinpoche Literally, "Precious One." A title reserved properly for incarnate lamas and eminent spiritual teachers. It is used as both a term of address, and as the last element of the name.

Root Lama A teacher from whom one has received the empowerments, instructions, and precepts that form the core of one's own practice.

Samadhi Meditative concentration.

Shamatha see Shi nay

Samaya The sacred vow which bonds the tantric practitioner to his practice.

Sambhokakaya Second of the three bodies of a Buddha. The body of enjoyment, the illuminating potential of mind. The visionary and communicative aspect of Buddha nature.

Samsara Cyclic existence, the beginningless and endless wheel of rebirth.

Sangha The community of those who practice the dharma.

Sangye The Tibetan word for Buddha. It combines the notions of complete purification (sangs) and rgyas, expansion (that is, of knowledge).

Shi nay (Tib.) Shamatha (Skt.) Tranquillity meditation, which develops calmness of mind. One of the two basic meditations in all traditions of buddhism, the other being Vipashyana.

Siddha A practitioner who has attained spiritual realization and supernatural powers.

Skandhas, The Five Five aggregates that describe the physical and mental existence of all beings in the Desire Realm:

• 1. Form
• 2. Sensation
• 3. Recognition
• 4. Formation
• 5. Consciousness

Stupa Monument containing relics and/or religious texts.

Sunyata see Emptiness.

Tantra(s) The root scriptures of Vajrayana Buddhism. The texts are ascribed to the Buddha Shakyamuni in various of his manifestations, and each usually describes the mandala and practice associated with a particular enlightened being. The word "tantra" literally means "thread" or "continuity."

Tara A female Bodhisattva of Compassion, specially associated with the ability to protect her devotees and rescue them from suffering, fears and dangers.

Tathagata The "Thus-gone" one, an epithet for a Buddha.

Tathagatagarbha The seed of Enlightenment, the potential for Buddhahood in every sentient being.

Terton A discoverer of hidden texts understood to have been concealed by great teachers of the past in various ways, until the time when they could be understood and applied.

Tulku Nirmanakaya (Tib.) State of compassion. A being who is consciously reborn for the benefit of all beings manifesting with the power to open their abilities. May or may not remember former lives. The word means "Illusion-Body," a form which one has and uses, but is not dependent upon.

Vajra see Dorje.

Vajradhara see Dorje Chang.

Vajrasattva see Dorje Sempa.

Vajravarahi see Dorje Phagmo.

Vajrayana The third of the Three Vehicles of Buddhism. Also called Mantrayana, it is the Buddhism of Tibet, Mongolia, and much of the Far East, in which the central Mahayana themes of compassion and emptiness are dealt with using symbolic and practical systems of technique and understanding.

Vinaya Buddhist scriptures concerned with monastic discipline and moral conduct; the code of virtuous behavior so presented.

Vipashyana see Lha tong.

Wang Empowerment.

Yeshe Primordial awareness.

Yidak Hungry Ghosts, occupants of one of the three unfortunate realms of samsara (i.e., Hells, Hungry Ghosts and Animals). The yidaks are tormented by unappeasable appetites.

Yidam Meditational deity who is the embodiment of a particular aspect of Enlightenment.