“Infinite Light,” the name of the buddha who presides over Sukhāvatī, also called Amitāyus or Aparimitāyus. Traditionally equated, too, with Dundubhi­svara­rāja.

The name of the dhāraṇī that confers rebirth in Sukhāvatī taught by the Buddha Śākyamuni in The Noble Dhāraṇī “Essence of Immeasurable Longevity and Wisdom.” Also the name of a buddha traditionally equated with Amitābha or Amitāyus. Also called Dundubhi­svara­rāja.

“Unlimited Life and Wisdom,” the name of the tathāgata who resides in the buddha field Aparimitaguṇasaṃcaya at the zenith; it can also be rendered Amitāyus.

“Unlimited Life,” the name of the tathāgata who resides in the buddha field Sukhāvatī in the west; it can also be rendered Amitāyus and is synonymous with Amitābha.

One of the “eight close sons of the Buddha,” he is also known as the bodhisattva who embodies compassion. In certain tantras, he is also the lord of the three families, where he embodies the compassion of the buddhas. In Tibet, he attained great significance as a special protector of Tibet, and in China, in female form, as Guanyin, the most important bodhisattva in all of East Asia.

The name of the tree under which the Buddha Śākyamuni attained awakening. The same term is used to describe the trees under which other tathāgatas, both in this realm and others, attain awakening.

The name of the lotus seat on which the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus sits.

The name of the Buddha’s cousin and brother-in-law who defected from the Buddha’s saṅgha, causing the very first schism, and went on to compete against and even attempt to kill the Buddha Śākyamuni.

A formula invoking a particular deity for a particular purpose; dhāraṇīs are longer than most mantras, and their applications are more specialized.

The name of a buddha traditionally equated with Amitābha or Amitāyus. Also called Amṛt­adundubhi­svara­rāja.

The name of the person who occupies the role of Devadatta in the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus’ realm.

The name of the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus’ queen.

The name of the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus’ disciple foremost in miraculous powers and endeavor.

A term denoting the primary disciples of a buddha.

The name of the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus’ palace in the realm Sukhāvatī.

The name of the being who acts as Māra in the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus’ realm.

A generic term for a tree under which a tathāgata sits and a synonym for the Bodhi tree.

The ruling caste in the traditional four-caste hierarchy of India, associated with warriors, the aristocracy, and kings.

The name of an important bodhisattva in the Mahāyāna pantheon.

The name of the being who maintains the illusions of the world that bind beings in cyclic existence.

Along with Śāriputra, one of Buddha Śākyamuni’s two main disciples, known as the foremost in miraculous powers and endeavor.

The name of the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus’ son.

The name of the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus’ father.

The name of a famous Tibetan translator (b. 1055). He studied in Kashmir for twenty-three years and is best known for introducing into Tibet the philosophical works of Candrakīrti and other Indian scholars, but also brought the transmissions of new practice rituals and tantric deities.

The name of the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus’ disciple foremost in insight.

The term literally means “prostrating with five limbs.” The five limbs consist of the head, two arms, and two legs.

The name of an Indian preceptor and translator (ca. 11th century). Little is known about him except that he was responsible with Patsap Nyima Drak for the translation of this text, and possibly for Toh 675.

The name of the Bodhi tree under which the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus sits.

Along with Maudgalyāyana, one of Buddha Śākyamuni’s two main disciples, known as the foremost in insight.

The name for the platform under the Bodhi tree that marks the location where the Buddha Śākyamuni attained awakening. The same term is used to signify the platform under the Bodhi trees on which all tathāgatas, both in this realm and in others, attain awakening.

The name of the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus’ mother.

The name of the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus’ attendant.

The realm where the Tathāgata Aparimitāyus resides.

The Gaggarā lotus pond was excavated by Queen Gaggarā of Campā, the capital of Aṅga, and the groves of flowering trees along its banks became a popular location for wandering teachers and ascetics to take up residence. The Pāli dictionary of proper names notes that the Buddha took up residence on the banks of the Gaggarā pond several times, and a number of discourses in the Pāli nikāya tradition were taught in this location. Pāli: gaggarāpokkharanī; Chinese: 伽伽靈池.

An ideal monarch or emperor who, as the result of the merit accumulated in previous lifetimes, rules over a vast realm in accordance with the Dharma. Such a monarch is called a cakravartin because he bears a wheel (cakra) that rolls (vartate) across the earth, bringing all lands and kingdoms under his power. The cakravartin conquers his territory without causing harm, and his activity causes beings to enter the path of wholesome actions. According to Vasubandhu’s Abhidharmakośa, just as with the buddhas, only one cakravartin appears in a world system at any given time. They are likewise endowed with the thirty-two major marks of a great being (mahāpuruṣalakṣaṇa), but a cakravartin’s marks are outshined by those of a buddha. They possess seven precious objects: the wheel, the elephant, the horse, the wish-fulfilling gem, the queen, the general, and the minister. An illustrative passage about the cakravartin and his possessions can be found in The Play in Full (Toh 95), 3.3–3.13. Vasubandhu lists four types of cakravartins: (1) the cakravartin with a golden wheel (suvarṇacakravartin) rules over four continents and is invited by lesser kings to be their ruler; (2) the cakravartin with a silver wheel (rūpyacakravartin) rules over three continents and his opponents submit to him as he approaches; (3) the cakravartin with a copper wheel (tāmracakravartin) rules over two continents and his opponents submit themselves after preparing for battle; and (4) the cakravartin with an iron wheel (ayaścakravartin) rules over one continent and his opponents submit themselves after brandishing weapons.