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 Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.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

arya (Skt)

phag pa (Tib); ’phags pa (Wyl)

Literally, noble. One who has realized the wisdom of emptiness.

Aryadeva

phagpa lha (Tib); 'phags pa lha (Wyl)

A third-century Indian Buddhist philosopher and leading early proponent of Nagarjuna's Prasangika Madhyamaka philosophy. He is one of six great Indian scholars, known as the Six Ornaments.

Asanga, Arya

phagpa togme (Tib); 'phags pa thogs med (Wyl)

The fourth-century Indian master who received directly from Maitreya Buddha the extensive, or method, lineage of Shakyamuni Buddha's teachings. Said to have founded the Cittamatra school of Buddhist philosophy. He is one of six great Indian scholars, known as the Six Ornaments.

Ashvaghosha (or Aryasura)

tayang (Tib); rta dbyangs (Wyl)

The third-century Indian master, renowned for his scholarship and poetry, who is the author of Fifty Verses of Guru Devotion.

Bodhicaryavatara (Skt)

jangchub sempä chöpa la jugpa, chöjug (Tib); byang chub sems dpa'i spyod pa la 'jug pa, spyod 'jug (Wyl)

A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life by Shantideva.

Krishnacharya (Skt)

Nagpo Chöpa (Tib); nag po spyod pa (Wyl)

Also known as Krishnachari and Kanhapa; one of the eighty-four mahasiddhas.

seven treasures of an arya being

phagnor dün (Tib); 'phags nor bdun (Wyl)

They are: faith, ethics, learning, generosity, consideration for others, integrity and wisdom.