ལྷ་མ་ཡིན། | Glossary of Terms

One of the six classes of living beings, sometimes included among the gods and sometimes among the animals, they are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (devas). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

One of the six classes of sentient beings, the asuras are the enemies of the devas, fighting with them for supremacy.

One of the six classes of living beings, sometimes included among the gods and sometimes among the animals. A class of nonhuman beings, sometimes misleadingly called demigods, engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility, who are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in a dispute with the gods over the possession of amrita.

A class of semidivine beings who are engaged in a mythic war with the gods (deva) for possession of the nectar of immortality. In Buddhist cosmology, they inhabit the realm neighboring that of the gods, from which they observe the gods with intense jealousy.

A class of divine beings who are engaged in a mythic war with the gods (Skt. deva) for possession of the nectar of immortality. In Buddhist cosmology, they inhabit a realm below those of the gods, from which they observe the gods with intense jealousy.

The asuras, sometimes called the demigods or titans, are the enemies of the devas, fighting with them for supremacy. They are powerful beings who live around Mount Sumeru and are usually classified as belonging to the higher realms.

A class of nonhuman beings who are engaged in a mythic war with the gods (deva) for possession of the nectar of immortality. In Buddhist cosmology, they inhabit the realm neighboring that of the gods, from which they observe the gods with intense jealousy.

See “demigod.”

A class of semidivine beings who are engaged in a mythic war with the gods (deva) for possession of the nectar of immortality. In Buddhist cosmology, they inhabit the realm neighboring that of the gods, from which they observe the gods with intense jealousy.

The asuras are the enemies of the devas, fighting with them for supremacy.

The asuras are the enemies of the devas, fighting with them for supremacy.

One of the six classes of beings. The asuras are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods. They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

The asuras, sometimes called the demi-gods or titans, are the enemies of the devas, fighting with them for supremacy. They are powerful beings who live around Mount Sumeru, and are usually classified as belonging to the higher realms.

One of the six classes of living beings, sometimes included among the gods and sometimes among the animals. A class of superhuman beings, sometimes misleadingly called demigods, engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility, who are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in a dispute with the gods over the possession of a magical tree.

A class of titans or demigods.

A class of divine beings who are engaged in a mythic war with the gods (Skt. deva) for possession of the nectar of immortality. In Buddhist cosmology, they inhabit a realm below those of the gods, from which they observe the gods with intense jealousy.

One of the six classes of sentient beings. The asuras are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (deva). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony. 

Powerful beings who live around Mount Meru and are usually classified as belonging to the higher realms. They are characterized as jealous and ambitious, forever in conflict with the gods.

One of the six classes of sentient beings according to the Buddhist tradition. The asuras are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility, who are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (deva). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

A class of divine beings who are engaged in a mythic war with the gods (Skt. deva) for possession of the nectar of immortality. In Buddhist cosmology, they inhabit a realm below those of the gods, from which they observe the gods with intense jealousy.

The asuras, sometimes called the demigods, are the enemies of the gods, fighting with them for supremacy. They are powerful beings who live around Mount Sumeru and are usually classified as belonging to the higher realms.

A class of semidivine beings who are engaged in a mythic war with the gods (deva) for possession of the nectar of immortality. In Buddhist cosmology, they inhabit the realm neighboring that of the gods, from which they observe the gods with intense jealousy.

One of the six classes of sentient beings. The asuras are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (deva). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony. 

One of the six classes of living beings, sometimes included among the gods and sometimes among the animals, they are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (devas). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

One of the six classes of sentient beings. The asuras are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (deva). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

Often described as demigods or warrior gods, these giants are at constant war with the gods.

Titan .

One of the six classes of beings. The asuras are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (deva). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

The traditional adversaries of the devas (gods) who are frequently portrayed in the Brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

A class of nonhuman beings who are engaged in a mythic war with the gods (deva) for possession of the nectar of immortality. In Buddhist cosmology, they inhabit the realm neighboring that of the gods, from which they observe the gods with intense jealousy.

Demi-gods, titans.

One of the six classes of sentient beings. The asuras are dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (deva). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

One of the six classes of sentient beings. The asuras are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (deva). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony. 

A class of divine beings who are engaged in a mythic war with the gods (Skt. deva) for possession of the nectar of immortality. In Buddhist cosmology, they inhabit a realm below those of the gods, from which they observe the gods with intense jealousy.

A class or powerful nonhuman beings, sometimes called demigods, who are often portrayed as the enemies of the devas. One of the six classes of beings.

A class or powerful nonhuman beings, sometimes called demigods, who are often portrayed as the enemies of the devas. One of the six classes of beings.

One of the six classes of sentient beings. The asuras are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (deva). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony. 

The traditional adversaries of the devas (gods) who are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

One of the six classes of sentient beings, asuras are sometimes included among the gods and sometimes among the animals. They are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (devas). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

A class of celestial beings.

One of the six classes of living beings, asuras are sometimes included among the gods and sometimes among the animals. They are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (devas). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

A class of nonhuman beings who inhabit one of the six types of worlds (loka) that make up saṃsāra. The asuras are the enemies of the gods (deva), vying with them in an eternal struggle for supremacy.

A class of beings constantly in conflict with the gods.

A demigod who inhabits one of the six types of worlds (Skt. loka) that make up saṃsāra. The asuras are the enemies of the devas, fighting with them for supremacy. See also “animal.”

One of the six classes of sentient beings. The asuras are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (deva). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

A demi-god.

One of the six classes of sentient beings. The asuras are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (deva). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony. 

A class of divine beings ranking below gods (deva), known for their jealous and warlike disposition.

A class of beings, accounts of which can be traced back to the Vedas. They are often considered inferior, even demonic, deities. In Buddhist contexts, they are generally depicted as being in constant conflict with the gods due to their intense jealousy. They are often considered one of the six realms of rebirth in saṃsāra, although they are sometimes classified together with the gods.

One of the six classes of sentient beings. The asuras are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (deva). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

One of the six classes of sentient beings. The asuras are engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility and are described as being incessantly embroiled in disputes with the gods (deva). They are frequently portrayed in brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

A class of nonhuman beings that are engaged in a perpetual war with the gods (deva) for possession of the nectar of immortality. In Buddhist cosmology, they count as one of the six classes of beings and are tormented by their intense jealousy of the gods.

The traditional adversaries of the devas (gods) who are frequently portrayed in the brahmanical mythology as having a disruptive effect on cosmological and social harmony.

The titans who inhabit one of the six types of “worlds” (loka) that make up saṃsāra.

Also called “antigods” or “titans,” these are a lower type of celestial being who out of jealousy are forever in conflict with the gods. See also “five destinies.”

A class of superhuman beings or demigods engendered and dominated by envy, ambition, and hostility, who are metaphorically described as being incessantly embroiled in a dispute with the gods over the possession of a magical tree.