bardo A transitional or intermediate state between death and rebirth
bodhichitta Literally ‘the mind of enlightenment’. The aspiration to achieve enlightenment to free all living beings from suffering
bodhisattva A person who wishes to attain enlightenment to free all living beings from suffering
Buddha Literally ‘awakened one’; a fully awakened being who has attained enlightenment
Dependent Arising The concept that every person and object only exists by depending on other factors
Dharma The doctrine or teachings of the Buddha
enlightenment A state in which the mind is awakened to its true nature, which is boundless, omniscient, compassionate, blissful and ultimately beyond conception
guru Spiritual friend
karma Literally ‘action’ or ‘deed’. Implies ‘reaction’, and the concept of cause and effect
mantra Literally ‘mind protection’. In practice, a collection of sounds recited in connection with a particular meditation to achieve a particular outcome
nirvana Literally ‘to extinguish’ the false sense of self. Generally refers to personal liberation from samsara
samsara Mind afflicted by karma and delusion. It is this mind that perpetuates the universal cycle of birth, death and rebirth by grasping at the false sense of self
Sangha The community of Buddhist monks and nuns. In the West the term ‘lay sangha’ refers to practitioners who have not been ordained
tantra The advanced teachings of Tibetan Buddhism practised only after initiations
Tulku A recognised reincarnate lama. One who has voluntarily been reborn to help others to enlightenment