GLOSSARY 6

GLOSSARY

Akaniṣṭa The highest heaven.

Bodhicitta An enlightened attitude, a sentience directed toward enlightenment.

Circle Tibetan: Thigle, Sanskrit Bindu.

Dakini A female divine being, one who moves through the sky.

Dhyāna A form of meditation, also known as Ch’an in Chinese and Zen in Japanese.

Generation The practice of developing a visualization in Vajrayana Buddhism.

Mahasattva A great being.

Mandala A defined space that has a center and a periphery. Often used to describe a geometric configuration of deities.

Samadhi Meditative equipoise.

Samaya Commitment, a binding vow in Vajrayana practice.

Śī Nalandra A prominent institution of Buddhist learning

Siddhi Supernatural power.

Sutra An account of the Buddha’s teaching of exoteric content.

Tantra An account of the Buddha’s teaching of esoteric content.

Tirthakara A follower of non-Buddhist traditions.

Upadeśa Pointing out instructions, personal advice given by a teacher to a student.