absolute guru
don dam lama (Tib); don dam bla ma (Wyl)
The dharmakaya, the omniscient mind of the buddha, which is free from all gross and subtle obscurations. See also conventional guru.
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 Please see our Content Disclaimer regarding English terms in LYWA publications that may be outdated and should be considered in context.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
conventional guru
kun dzob lama (Tib); kun rdzob bla ma (Wyl)
The manifestation in ordinary form of the absolute guru, in order to benefit sentient beings.
Fifty Verses of Guru Devotion
An important text by Ashvaghosha, which describes the proper attitude toward the guru.
guru (Skt)
lama (Tib); bla ma (Wyl)
A spiritual guide or teacher. One who shows a disciple the path to liberation and enlightenment. Literally, heavy—heavy with knowledge of Dharma. In tantra, one's teacher is seen as inseparable from the meditational deity and the Three Rare Sublime Ones (the Three Jewels of refuge). See also root guru.
guru devotion
After finding a fully qualified spiritual teacher and establishing a connection, the disciple trains in devotion using logical reasoning. The correct way to rely on the guru is through thought—seeing the guru as a buddha and remembering their kindness; and through action—carrying out the guru's advice, offering respect and service, and making material offerings.
Guru Puja (Skt)
Lama Chöpa (Tib); bla ma mchod pa (Wyl)
A special Highest Yoga Tantra guru yoga practice composed by Panchen Losang Chökyi Gyaltsen.
guru yoga (Skt)
lama nel jor (Tib); bla ma’i rnal ‘byor (Wyl)
In order to amass the two collections of merit and purify negativities and obscurations, one views the guru as inseparable from a deity and/or from the Buddha. There are various guru yoga practices, some are done in accordance with tantra, for example, Guru Puja, and some in accordance with the sutra tradition, for example, the Hundred Deities of the Land of Joy (Ganden Lha Gyäma).
guru-deity
The inseparability of the deity and the spiritual master; a fundamental practice of tantra.
root guru
tsa wä lama (Tib); rtsa ba’i bla ma (Wyl)
The teacher who has had the greatest influence upon a particular disciple’s entering or following the spiritual path.
six-session guru yoga
thundrug lamäi näljor (Tib); thun drug bla ma'i rnal 'byor (Wyl)
A daily commitment for Highest Yoga Tantra initiates, incorporating refuge, offerings and so forth, recited six times a day.
