Buddhism in Practice
some of the words and objects you will encounter

MONASTERIES
Gompa
Gompas are where monks live together and receive the Buddhist teachings. There used to be over 6,000 monasteries in Tibet, but the vast majority of these were first dissolved during the early years of Chinese occupation, and then further decimated during the Cultural Revolution. Large-scale complexes consist of the Tsomchen (Great Assembly Hall), the Dukhang (Assembly Hall), Tratsang (colleges), Lhakhang (temples/shrines) and clusters of monk’s lodgings. The larger monasteries function like small towns.
Lhakhang (Temple or Shrine)
These temples or shrines are dedicated to various Buddhas, bodhisattvas and deities. They can be found both as part of a gompa or by themselves.
Gonkhang (Protector Chapel)
A special type of Lhakhang that is dedicated to Dharma Protector deities.

DEITIES
Buddhas
The word buddha reminds many people of the historical figure Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama), but there are many others who have attained spiritual enlightenment. All of these are referred to as buddha or ‘awakened one’.
Besides Shakyamuni, Vairocana, Akshobya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha and Amoghasiddhi are representative Buddhas; collectively known as the Buddhas of the Five Families, Supreme Buddhas or Tathagata. Other well known Buddhas include Bhaisajyaguru; the Medicine Buddha common throughout East Asia, Vajrasattva and Varadhara who are both regarded as highly positioned Tantric Buddhas.
Bodhisattvas
Buddhas who have already freed themselves from worldly attachments never return to the secular world where human beings suffer the cycle of reincarnation. However Bodhisattvas are beings who have attained this enlightenment but have decided to stay in the world to help liberate others from all their worldly desires and worries. Bodhisattvas embody true altruism, which is at the core of Mahayana Buddhism. The number of Bodhisattvas is countless but the most famous and popular in Tibet are Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri, Tara and Vajrapani. Maitreya is also a bodhisattva who will appear as the ‘future Buddha’ in 5,670,000,000 years.
Choekyong (Protector Deity)
Choekyong are deities that protect Buddhism and many of these used to be Hindu or Bon deities. Nechung, the Oracle who protects the Dalai Lamas used to be a local Bonpo deity.
Mahakala is a famous choekyong and is the embodiment of Shiva. Although Hayagriva is a bodhisattva, he can also be considered a protector. The ‘Four Guardian Kings’ are also popular choekyang.
Yidam (Guardian Deity)
Buddhist followers, monks, temples etc each have their own Yidam to protect them. The lama introduces you to your deity when you start receiving his teachings. A Yidam’s wife is called a Dakini and is herself a religious figure revered by the people. The goddess Palden Lhamo is the yidam who protects the whole of Tibet. Despite his fearful, brutal-looking bull’s face the Yidam Vajrabhairava is actually an embodiment of the calm Manjushri.
Yabyum
Many yidams are depicted as images of Yabyum (father and mother Buddha), in which they have a number of arms and legs, striking wrathful red or blue faces, tiger skins wrapped around their waists and holding onto a goddess.
Lamas
Lamas come in different forms; they are the founders of each Buddhist order, famous figures who achieved spiritual awakening, teachers and so on. They may also be regarded with higher appreciation than the Buddhas and deities themselves, as without them it would be impossible to receive the Buddhist teachings.

MONKS
Lama
Originally meaning ‘Guru’ or master, but has come to be used as a general term for monk. This is the person from whom a monk receives his teaching. The relationship between master and pupil is very important and as the first stage of learning a devout belief in the lama is strongly emphasized.
Trapa
In the monasteries trapa is the lowest-ranking monk. Monks may get promoted through exams and debates, however most of them end their lives without rising above the rank of trapa.
Tulku
Emanation or Incarnate Lama. Originally the meaning was ‘reincarnation’ and these highly revered lamas are born again and again so they can continue to help people.
Rinpoche
A title conferred on a high-ranking lama. A rinpoche does not have to be a tulku.
Geshe
This is the highest title that can be attained by a scholar-monk, equivalent to a PhD. Only after a monk passes a number of exams and debates does he earn this title, and preparation usually takes 30 years.
Khenpo (Abbott)
Occupies the highest position in the monastery.
Ani (Nun)
They receive training and perform rites and rituals in a similar manner to monks.
Umdze (Chanting Master)
When a sutra is recited the Umdze or Chanting Master takes the lead. They are chosen for they strong, clear voices.
Ngakpa (Ascetic)
They do not stay at one particular monastery; instead they practice their asceticism in caves far from human habitation. The Nyingmapa and Kagyupa have many Ngakpas who look similar to Indian Saddhus with their long hair and beards.

PRAYER
Tar-chok
Five colored prayer flags that flutter in the breeze on the roofs of Tibetan houses, in gardens, from atop nomad’s tents, on mountain passes, sacred lakes and holy peaks, in monasteries and other revered places. These flags are printed with Buddhist scriptures and they spread the Buddhist word with every gust of wind.
Lungta (Wind Horse)
A common image found printed on Tar-chok. The horse is pictured galloping across the sky spreading the teachings of Buddhism whenever the flags are blown by the wind. You can also buy sheaves of thin square paper printed with the image of the Wind Horse – these are scattered as Tibetans cross mountain passes.
Dar-Shing
Long white banners are a type of prayer flag particularly common in Kham, Sikkim and Bhutan.
Tsatsa
Small statues made from sun baked mud or pottery. These are made in the image of Buddha or other religious symbols.
Khora
A clockwise circumambulatory circuit around a holy site such as a temple, monastery, chorten, sacred lake or mountain.
Mani-Stones
Tibetans make piles of stones whenever the opportunity presents itself. The custom is said to have originated prior to the arrival of Buddhism and spread across the Tibetan world. Mani-stones are those stones and rocks that have been painted or engraved with Buddhist images. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes, ranging from small stones on which only a single character has been engraved to massive rocks decorated with Buddhist images. The most common carries the 6 characters that spell out Om Mani Pame Hum.
Sang (Fragrant Grass)
Burnt in an incense burner during Buddhist memorial services and other special occasions. When you see the clouds of smoke and there is a heavy smell of gang around town, it must be a festival day.
Choeme (Butter Lamp)
Tibetan lamps use butter as fuel and burn constantly in shrines and chapels.
Gau
Carried in either the front or back pocket of your chuba or worn around the neck. It contains either an image of the Buddha or an amulet.
Kyangcha (Prostration)
By prostrating oneself, you demonstrate your devotion with all your body and soul. Prostration is the conventional way of praying in Tibet and many pilgrims wear padding on their chest, arms and knees to protect them when repeatedly performing this ritual.
Torma
Made from butter, tsampa and sugar a Torma is a vividly colored offering sculpted into different forms. A common shape is that of a chorten and the forms reflect the skills and artistic sensibility of each monastery. After the ritual the cake is eaten.
Katak
A thin silk scarf used at festivals or when biding farewell to someone. The offer is also accompanied by a wish for the recipient’s happiness. To be given a blessing by a high-ranking lama, you bring the cloth for him to put around your neck.
Manikhor (Prayer Wheel)
Turning a manikhor means that you have then read all the Buddhist scriptures that are inside the wheel. They range in size from small and hand held to huge ones that take more than one person to turn. Others are turned by wind or water, constantly releasing knowledge and blessing into the world. Most Lhakhangs have a Manikhor corridor.
Chorten (Stupa)
Originally these were built as reliquaries for the cremated remains of high-ranking lamas. These structures are now also built when a memorial service is held. Chorten are also constructed as offerings to local mountain or river deities. Tsatsa statuettes and other offerings are found inside the structures.
Rangjung
Meaning ‘self-arising’ they can be found at most sacred places. This group of objects includes rocks on which a letter ‘A’ has appeared miraculously and images of Buddha that have been engraved in a similar mysterious way.
Kyilkhor (Mandala)
Various styles of paintings and structures are used to visualize the world of Buddhas and deities: 2-dimensional paintings and murals, sand mandalas formed with colored sand, 3-dimensional mandalas copying the palaces of deities and even buildings arranged to form a mandala.
Thangka
Framed by silk brocade, Thangka are Buddhist paintings that were originally designed for use as a religious items, but have also become popular among Tibetans generally as they portray the very essence of Tibetan art.
Pecha (Scriptures)
Buddhist scriptures are printed using wood blocks. The general collection of Buddhist scriptures is the ‘Tibetan Buddhist Canon’ consisting of the Kangyur, the scriptures themselves, and the Tengyur, a set of commentaries.
Terma (Concealed Teachings)
These are the teachings that Padmasambhava buried in various places in expectation that they would be recovered when the time was right. In the C8th he foretold they would be found by a terton (treasure finder) inspired by a spiritual revelation. This tradition is unique to the Nyingmapa and some argue that these are wrong teachins. The Tibetan Book of the Dead is such a teaching.