In a general sense, samādhi can describe a number of different meditative states. In the Mahāyāna literature, in particular in the Prajñāpāramitā sūtras, we find extensive lists of different samādhis, numbering over one hundred.In a more restricted sense, and when understood as a mental state, samādhi is defined as the one-pointedness of the mind (cittaikāgratā), the ability to remain on the same object over long periods of time. The Drajor Bamponyipa (sgra sbyor bam po gnyis pa) commentary on the Mahāvyutpatti explains the term samādhi as referring to the instrument through which mind and mental states “get collected,” i.e., it is by the force of samādhi that the continuum of mind and mental states becomes collected on a single point of reference without getting distracted.

Second of the five pure aggregates.

First of the five pure aggregates.

Third of the five pure aggregates.

Fifth of the five pure aggregates.

Fourth of the five pure aggregates.

The buddha associated with longevity.

The name of an eon in which the Buddha He Who Attained Awakening after Countless Millions of Eons resides.

The name of a buddha in the eastern direction.

The name of a buddha in the above direction.

The name of a world system in the southern direction.

The name of a world system in the eastern direction.

A type of nonhuman being whose precise status is subject to different views, but is included as one of the six classes of beings in the sixfold classification of realms of rebirth. In the Buddhist context, asuras are powerful beings said to be dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility. They are also known in the pre-Buddhist and pre-Vedic mythologies of India and Iran, and feature prominently in Vedic and post-Vedic Brahmanical mythology, as well as in the Buddhist tradition. In these traditions, asuras are often described as being engaged in interminable conflict with the devas (gods).

The name of an eon in which the Buddha Array of Light Constantly Proclaiming Pure Gold and Space abides.

These are determination, discernment, diligence, and meditative concentration.

The name of an eon in which the Buddha Glorious Array of Eloquence in All Teachings resides.

The name of an eon in which the Buddha Glorious Supremely Golden Light resides.

The name of a world system in the below direction.

This term is used in various ways. For instance, it refers to the mental capacity of not forgetting, enabling one in particular to cultivate positive forces and to ward off negativity. It is also very commonly used as a term for mystical verses similar to mantras, the usage of which will grant a particular power.

Eighteen special features of a buddha’s behavior, realization, activity, and wisdom that are not shared by other beings. They are generally listed as: (1) he never makes a mistake, (2) he is never boisterous, (3) he never forgets, (4) his concentration never falters, (5) he has no notion of distinctness, (6) his equanimity is not due to lack of consideration, (7) his motivation never falters, (8) his endeavor never fails, (9) his mindfulness never falters, (10) he never abandons his concentration, (11) his insight (prajñā) never decreases, (12) his liberation never fails, (13) all his physical actions are preceded and followed by wisdom (jñāna), (14) all his verbal actions are preceded and followed by wisdom, (15) all his mental actions are preceded and followed by wisdom, (16) his wisdom and vision perceive the past without attachment or hindrance, (17) his wisdom and vision perceive the future without attachment or hindrance, and (18) his wisdom and vision perceive the present without attachment or hindrance.

A bodhisattva.

The name of an eon in which the Buddha King of the Sound of a Thousand Thunderclaps resides.

Five supernatural faculties result from meditative concentration: divine sight, divine hearing, knowing others’ minds, recollecting past lives, and the ability to perform miracles.

The name of an eon in which the Buddha King of Splendor with Many Glorious Appearances resides.

The name of an eon in which the Buddha King of Splendor Arrayed with the Glory of Precious Qualities resides.

Fearlessness in declaring that one has (1) awakened, (2) ceased all illusions, (3) taught the obstacles to awakening, and (4) shown the way to liberation.

The name of a world system in the western direction.

The name of a world system in the northern direction.

The name of a world system in the northwestern direction.

A class of generally benevolent nonhuman beings who inhabit the skies, sometimes said to inhabit fantastic cities in the clouds, and more specifically to dwell on the eastern slopes of Mount Meru, where they are ruled by the Great King Dhṛtarāṣṭra. They are most renowned as celestial musicians who serve the gods. In the Abhidharma, the term is also used to refer to the mental body assumed by sentient beings during the intermediate state between death and rebirth. Gandharvas are said to live on fragrances (gandha) in the desire realm, hence the Tibetan translation dri za, meaning “scent eater.”

The name of an eon in which the Buddha Array of Immense Precious Qualities Like the King of Splendor resides.

The name of an eon in which the Buddha Splendorous Light Manifesting in the Manner of All Phenomena resides.

The name of a buddha in the western direction.

The name of a buddha in the southwestern direction.

The largest universe described in Buddhist cosmology. This term, in Abhidharma cosmology, refers to 1,000³ world systems, i.e., 1,000 “dichiliocosms” or “two thousand great thousand world realms” (dvi­sāhasra­mahā­sāhasra­lokadhātu), which are in turn made up of 1,000 first-order world systems, each with its own Mount Sumeru, continents, sun and moon, etc.

The bodhisattva who requests this teaching.

The name of a buddha in the northeastern direction.

The name of an eon in which the Buddha Intelligence Arrayed with Immeasurable Eloquence resides.

The name of a world system in the southwestern direction.

The name of a buddha in the northern direction.

An Indian Kashmiri paṇḍita who was resident in Tibet during the late eighth and early ninth centuries. He worked with multiple Tibetan translators on the translation of several sūtras.

The name of a buddha in the southern direction.

The name of a buddha in the northwestern direction.

The name of a buddha in the southeastern direction.

An ancient republican state, located in northern India.

The name of a buddha mentioned in the teaching.

A Bengali Buddhist writer who lived during the reigns of King Gopāla I of Bengal (750–75 ᴄᴇ) and King Trisong Detsen of Tibet (775–97 ᴄᴇ), under whose auspices he came to Tibet. He contributed to the translation of seventy-seven Buddhist works from Sanskrit into Tibetan and is the author of three commentaries preserved in the Tengyur.

The ancient capital of Magadha prior to its relocation to Pāṭaliputra during the Mauryan dynasty, Rājagṛha is one of the most important locations in Buddhist history. The literature tells us that the Buddha and his saṅgha spent a considerable amount of time in residence in and around Rājagṛha‍—in nearby places, such as the Vulture Peak Mountain (Gṛdhrakūṭaparvata), a major site of the Mahāyāna sūtras, and the Bamboo Grove (Veṇuvana)‍—enjoying the patronage of King Bimbisāra and then of his son King Ajātaśatru. Rājagṛha is also remembered as the location where the first Buddhist monastic council was held after the Buddha Śākyamuni passed into parinirvāṇa. Now known as Rajgir and located in the modern Indian state of Bihar.

The eight qualities of a buddha’s voice are variously presented. According to the Pāli Mahāgovindasutta (Dīghanikāya 19) a buddha’s voice is fluent, intelligible, sweet, audible, sustained, distinct, deep, and resonant.

The name of a world system in the above direction.

The name of a buddha in the below direction.

The name of an absorption.

The name of a world system in the northeastern direction.

The ancient capital of the Licchavi state. The Buddha visited this city several times during his lifetime.

The name of a world system in the southeastern direction.

The Gṛdhra­kūṭa, literally Vulture Peak, was a hill located in the kingdom of Magadha, in the vicinity of the ancient city of Rājagṛha (modern-day Rajgir, in the state of Bihar, India), where the Buddha bestowed many sūtras, especially the Great Vehicle teachings, such as the Prajñāpāramitā sūtras. It continues to be a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists to this day.

Yeshé Dé (late eighth to early ninth century) was the most prolific translator of sūtras into Tibetan. Altogether he is credited with the translation of more than one hundred sixty sūtra translations and more than one hundred additional translations, mostly on tantric topics. In spite of Yeshé Dé’s great importance for the propagation of Buddhism in Tibet during the imperial era, only a few biographical details about this figure are known. Later sources describe him as a student of the Indian teacher Padmasambhava, and he is also credited with teaching both sūtra and tantra widely to students of his own. He was also known as Nanam Yeshé Dé, from the Nanam (sna nam) clan.