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 Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.

Glossary

All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W Y Z

Abhidharma (Skt)

chö ngon pa (Tib); chos mngon pa (Wyl)

One of the three baskets (Tripitaka) of the Buddhist canon, the others being Vinaya and Sutra; the systematized philosophical and psychological analysis of existence that is the basis of the Buddhist systems of tenets and mind training.

Abhidharmakosha (Skt)

chö ngon pa dzö (Tib); chos mngon pa’i mdzod (Wyl)

Treasury of Knowledge, by Vasubandhu; one of the main philosophical texts studied in Tibetan monasteries.

Abhidharmasamucchaya (Skt)

chö ngon pa kun tü (Tib); chos mngon pa kun btus (Wyl)

Asanga’s Compendium of Higher Knowledge is one of the principal philosophical texts studied in Tibetan monasteries, particularly revered for its clarity and for the exposition of mind and mental factors.