གཟུངས། | Glossary of Terms

The term, derived from the Sanskrit root √dhṛ (“hold” or “retain”), refers to bodhisattvas’ enhanced powers of memory, which allow them to retain extensive teachings, as well as to their special ability to access teachings that have been encapsulated or encoded in short sequences of words or syllables; it can also denote those sequences of words or syllables themselves.

Dhāraṇī is translated as “retention” when it means the power of mental retention. The Sanskrit is given when it refers to a formula to be recited that is said to contain the essence of a teaching.

Sentences or phrases that were said to hold the essence of a teaching or meaning. According to context, the term can also mean an exceptional power of mental retention. Also used as a healing spell. This term is also rendered in this translation as “retention.”

A statement or spell meant to protect or bring about a particular result. See also UT22084-039-002-6.

From the Sanskrit verb dhṛ (“to hold”), the term refers to the ability to hold or retain the Buddha’s teachings in the memory, and the specific mnemonic formulas or aids to doing so, which also distill the teachings into shorter utterances. From there the term also carries a strong sense that such formulas or devices, when spoken or rehearsed in the mind, have extraordinary power to effect change in the world and in oneself.

Type of early Mahāyāna Buddhist texts resembling long mantras, used as mnemonic devices as well as for ritual incantation.

Literally “retention,” or “that which retains, contains, or encapsulates,” this term refers to mnemonic formulas, or codes possessed by advanced bodhisattvas that contain a quintessence of their attainments, as well as the Dharma teachings that express them and guide beings toward their realization. The term can also refer to a statement or incantation meant to protect or bring about a particular result.

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

Literally, “retention” (the ability to remember), or “that which retains, contains, or encapsulates,” this term refers to mnemonic formulas or codes possessed by advanced bodhisattvas that contain the quintessence of their attainments, as well as the Dharma teachings that express them and guide beings toward their realization. They are therefore often described in terms of “gateways” for entering the Dharma and training in its realization, or “seals” that contain condensations of truths and their expression. The term can also refer to a statement or incantation meant to protect or bring about a particular result. Also translated here as “retention.”

As incantations or spells, dhāraṇīs are mnemonic formulas possessed by advanced bodhisattvas that contain a quintessence of their attainments. The same term in Sanskrit and Tibetan also refers to a highly developed power present in bodhisattvas that is a process of memory and recall of detailed teachings. This is best translated “retention” in certain contexts.

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.

This term has several meanings. Often it refers to a ritual incantation that typically encapsulates the meaning of a longer text. In this sense it is considered to assist in the retention of the text and imbue the one who recites it with a variety of desired powers. At other times this term carries the meaning of “holding” or “retaining,” and so it is frequently used in reference to memory and learning. In the context of this text, the term carries both of these meanings. Finally, this term can also be applied as a classificatory term to Buddhist scriptures that contain one or more such dhāraṇīs.

This term is used in various ways. In this case it appears to refer to the mental capacity of not forgetting. It is also very commonly used as a term for mystical verses similar to mantras, the usage of which will grant a particular power.

Also rendered here as “keeping it in mind,” “formula.”

See “retention.”

A verbal formula or phrase that can serve a variety of purposes depending on the genre of text. Most popularly, a dhāraṇī is a magical incantation for effecting mundane goals.

An alternative name for vidyā (knowledge) and synonymous with mantra.

See “retention.”

Type of magical formula; this term might also refer to recollection.

Literally, “retention,” or “that which retains, contains, or encapsulates,” this term refers to mnemonic formulas, or codes possessed by advanced bodhisattvas that contain a quintessence of their attainments, as well as the Dharma teachings that express them and guide beings toward their realization. They are therefore often described in terms of “gateways” for entering the Dharma and training in its realization, or “seals” that contain condensations of truths and their expression. The term can also refer to a statement, or incantation meant to protect or bring about a particular result.

Magical spell, usually a longer one with a specific purpose. Being also the name of a literary genre, this term may refer also to the entire text of the Ratnaketudhāraṇī or a section of text dealing with a particular dhāraṇī.

Literally, “retention,” or “that which retains, contains, or encapsulates,” the term dhāraṇī refers to mnemonic formulas, or codes possessed by advanced bodhisattvas that contain a quintessence of their attainments, as well as the Dharma teachings that express them and guide beings toward their realization. They are therefore often described in terms of “gateways” for entering the Dharma and training in its realization, or “seals” that contain condensations of truths and their expression. The term can also refer to a statement, or incantation, meant to protect or bring about a particular result.

A verbal formula or phrase that can serve a variety of purposes depending on the genre of text. It often refers to a magical incantation for attaining mundane or supramundane goals.

An incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distills essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. It also has the sense of “retention,” referring to the special capacity of practitioners to memorize and recall detailed teachings. Also translated here as “retention.”

An incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distills essential points of the Dharma. It is used by practitioners as an aid to memorize and recall detailed teachings, and to attain mundane and supramundane goals. According to context, this term has also been rendered here as “recollection.”

An incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distils essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. It also has the sense of “retention,” referring to the special capacity of practitioners to memorize and recall detailed teachings.

An incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distills essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. It also refers to the capacity to grasp or remember the words and meanings of the Dharma without forgetting them. A function of mindfulness and wisdom.

Alternatively, the power of memory and recall, or a verbal formula to be incanted in order to effect transcendent or mundane goals. When plural, this term can refer to the “four dhāraṇīs” of 1) recalling the teachings and 2) their meaning; 3) incantational formulas; and, 4) the acceptance of phenomena as unproduced.

Usually this term refers to a statement, or spell, meant to protect or bring about a particular result. Here however, the term also has the meaning of “recall” or “memory.”

Literally “retention,” or “that which retains, contains, or encapsulates,” this term refers to mnemonic formulas, or codes possessed by advanced bodhisattvas that contain a quintessence of their attainments, as well as the Dharma teachings that express them and guide beings toward their realization. The term can also refer to a statement or incantation meant to protect or bring about a particular result.

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.

Dhāraṇīs are long strings of syllables which sum up some meaning of Dharma. Their use allows the meaning to be retained in memory. Hence the name, which means “that which holds / retains.”

The term dhāraṇī ‍— in some sūtras a mnemonic formula and also the ability of realized beings to retain (√dhṛ) in their transmundane memory any teachings ‍— refers, in its most general use, to dhāraṇīs as understood in the context of the Dhāraṇī genre and Mahāyāna Buddhism. Such dhāraṇīs are divinely revealed prayer formulae that are dedicated to a particular deity and typically include homage, praise, supplication, exhortation to act, and, most importantly, the heart mantra or mantras of the deity. The specific meaning of “retention” is also present in this inasmuch as dhāraṇīs, once obtained, are never lost but stay with the person who obtained them. They function as doors (dhāraṇīdvāra) or access points (dhāraṇīmukha) to infinite qualities of buddhahood. When they are regarded to function as such, even shorter mantras can be designated as dhāraṇī.

The term dhāraṇī has the sense of something that “holds” or “retains,” and as such can refer to the special capacity of practitioners to memorize and recall detailed teachings. It can also refer to a verbal expression of the teachings‍—an incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distills and “holds” essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. The same term is also used to denote texts that contain such formulae.

As incantations or spells, dhāraṇīs are mnemonic formulas possessed by advanced bodhisattvas that contain a quintessence of their attainments. The same term in Sanskrit and Tibetan also refers to a highly developed power present in bodhisattvas that is a process of memory and recall of detailed teachings. This is best translated “retention” in other contexts.

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.

The term dhāraṇī‍ is in some sūtras both a mnemonic formula and the ability of realized beings to retain (√dhṛ) any teachings in their transmundane memory. In its most general use it is as understood in the context of the Dhāraṇī genre and Mahāyāna Buddhism, where it refers to divinely revealed prayer formulas dedicated to a particular deity and typically including homage, praise, supplication, exhortation to act, and, most importantly, mantras of the deity. There is also the specific sense of “retention” inasmuch as dhāraṇīs, once obtained, are never lost but stay with the person who obtained them. They function as doors (dhāraṇīdvāra) or access points (dhāraṇīmukha) to infinite qualities of buddhahood. When they are regarded to function in this way, even shorter mantras can be designated as dhāraṇī.

A type of incantation. Also used to refer to the mental capacity to retain teachings that one has heard and to mnemonic devices used to aid such retention.

A type of incantation. Also used to refer to the mental capacity to retain teachings that one has heard, and to mnemonic devices used to aid such retention.

Often this term has the meaning of memory, or retention. It can also refer to a magical formula invoking a particular deity for a particular purpose; in this function dhāraṇīs are longer than most mantras, and their application is more specialized.

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.

An incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distills essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. It also has the sense of “retention,” referring to the special capacity of practitioners to memorize and recall detailed teachings.

This term has several meanings. Often it refers to a ritual incantation that usually encapsulates the meaning of a longer text. In this sense it is considered to assist in the retention of the text and imbue the one who recites it with a variety of desired powers. At other times this term carries the meaning of “holding” or “retaining,” and so it is frequently used in reference to memory and learning. In the context of this text, the term carries both of these meanings. Finally, this term can also be applied as a classificatory term to Buddhist scriptures that contain one or more such incantations.

A statement, or spell, meant to protect or bring about a particular result, it has the function of encapsulating or epitomizing a longer teaching; also refers to extraordinary skills regarding retention of the teachings.

The term dhāraṇī has the sense of something that “holds” or “retains,” and so it can refer to the special capacity to memorize and recall detailed teachings. It can also refer to a verbal expression of the teachings‍‍—a spell or mnemonic formula that distills and “holds” essential points of the Dharma and is used to attain mundane and supramundane goals. The same term is also used to denote texts that contain such formulae.

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

Used in several senses, elsewhere in this text translated as “incantation mantra,” but here referring to entire canonical texts used mainly for ritual purposes, structured around an incantation mantra in Sanskrit but also detailing its uses and the story of its origin.

Literally, “retention,” or “that which retains, contains, or encapsulates,” the term dhāraṇī refers to mnemonic formulas, or codes possessed by advanced bodhisattvas that contain a quintessence of their attainments, as well as the Dharma teachings that express them and guide beings toward their realization. They are therefore often described in terms of “gateways” for entering the Dharma and training in its realization, or “seals” that contain condensations of truths and their expression. The term can also refer to a statement, or incantation, meant to protect or bring about a particular result.

See “spell.”

Type of a magical formula; this term might also refer to the (female) deity embodying this formula.

Also rendered here as “retention.”

Literally “retention” (the ability to remember) or “that which retains, contains, or encapsulates,” this term refers to mnemonic formulas or codes possessed by advanced bodhisattvas that contain the quintessence of their attainments, as well as to the Dharma teachings that express them and guide beings toward their realization. They are therefore often described in terms of “gateways” for entering the Dharma and training in its realization, or “seals” that contain condensations of truths and their expression. The term can also refer to a statement or incantation meant to protect or bring about a particular result.

The power of mental retention or a powerful recitation that is a precursor of mantras and is usually in the form of intelligible sentences or phrases said to hold the essence of teaching or meaning.

The power of mental retention or a powerful recitation that is a precursor of mantras and is usually in the form of intelligible sentences or phrases said to hold the essence of teaching or meaning.

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

A type of mantra that has the form of an invocation and usually includes shorter mantras.

The term dhāraṇī has the sense of something that “holds” or “retains,” and as such can refer to the special capacity of practitioners to memorize and recall detailed teachings. It can also refer to a verbal expression of the teachings‍—an incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distills and “holds” essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. The same term is also used to denote texts that contain such formulae.

An incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distils essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. It also has the sense of “retention,” referring to the special capacity of practitioners to memorize and recall detailed teachings.

The term dhāraṇī has the sense of something that “holds” or “retains,” and as such can refer to the special capacity of practitioners to memorize and recall detailed teachings. It can also refer to a verbal expression of the teachings‍—an incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distills and “holds” essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. The same term is also used to denote texts that contain such formulae.

The term dhāraṇī has the sense of something that “holds” or “retains,” and as such can refer to the special capacity of practitioners to memorize and recall detailed teachings. It can also refer to a verbal expression of the teachings‍—an incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distills and “holds” essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. The same term is also used to denote texts that contain such formulae.

The term dhāraṇī has the sense of something that “holds” or “retains,” and as such can refer to the special capacity of practitioners to memorize and recall detailed teachings. It can also refer to a verbal expression of the teachings‍—an incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distills and “holds” essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. The same term is also used to denote texts that contain such formulae.

The term dhāraṇī has the sense of something that “holds” or “retains,” and as such can refer to the special capacity of practitioners to memorize and recall detailed teachings. It can also refer to a verbal expression of the teachings‍—an incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distills and “holds” essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. The same term is also used to denote texts that contain such formulae.

The term dhāraṇī has the sense of something that “holds” or “retains,” and as such can refer to the special capacity of practitioners to memorize and recall detailed teachings. It can also refer to a verbal expression of the teachings‍—an incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula‍—that distills and “holds” essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. The same term is also used to denote texts that contain such formulae.

See “spell.”

An incantation, spell, or formula, that “holds” or allows to be “retained” (Skt. √dhṛ) a particular meaning, point of realization, or protective power, and is expounded by a realized being so that it may be used to attain mundane and supramundane goals. In the case of many texts (like the present one) in which dhāraṇīs are expounded, the term dhāraṇī is also used to designate the text itself.

The power to “hold” or retain teachings, as applied either to an accomplishment by practitioners, or to mantra-like phrases (or entire texts).

Dhāraṇī is translated as “retention” when it means the power of mental retention. The Sanskrit is given when it refers to a formula to be recited that is said to contain the essence of a teaching.

According to context this term can also mean sentences or phrases for recitation that are said to hold the essence of a teaching or meaning. This term is also rendered in this translation as “dhāraṇī.”

Literally, “retention” (the ability to remember), or “that which retains, contains, or encapsulates,” this term refers to mnemonic formulas or codes possessed by advanced bodhisattvas that contain the quintessence of their attainments, as well as the Dharma teachings that express them and guide beings toward their realization. They are therefore often described in terms of “gateways” for entering the Dharma and training in its realization, or “seals” that contain condensations of truths and their expression. The term can also refer to a statement or incantation meant to protect or bring about a particular result.

An incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distills essential points of the Dharma and is used by practitioners to attain mundane and supramundane goals. It also has the sense of “retention,” referring to the special capacity of practitioners to memorize and recall detailed teachings.

The term dhāraṇī‍—in some sūtras a mnemonic formula and also the ability of realized beings to retain (√dhṛ) in their transmundane memory any teachings‍—refers, in its most general use, to dhāraṇīs as understood in the context of the Dhāraṇī genre and Mahāyāna Buddhism. Such dhāraṇīs are divinely revealed prayer formulae that are dedicated to a particular deity and typically include homage, praise, supplication, exhortation to act, and, most importantly, the heart mantra or mantras of the deity. The specific meaning of “retention” is also present in this inasmuch as dhāraṇīs, once obtained, are never lost but stay with the person who obtained them. They function as doors (dhāraṇīdvāra) or access points (dhāraṇīmukha) to infinite qualities of buddhahood. Even shorter mantras, when they are regarded as functioning in this way, can be designated as dhāraṇī.

From the Sanskrit root √dhṛ, (“to retain” or “to hold”), a dhāraṇī is a verbal formula that holds the words and meaning of a larger text or doctrine. In its simplest function it serves as a mnemonic device for remembering a certain teaching, but in certain contexts the dhāraṇī may carry a magical connotation, and in this sense it is a precursor to the mantra.

Here, it means the power of recalling something from memory; the ability to remember.

An exceptional power of mental retention. According to context, this term can also designate sentences or phrases for recitation that are said to hold the essence of a teaching or meaning (rendered here as dhāraṇī), and are therefore said to hold the power to bring about a range of pragmatic and spiritual effects when uttered, written, or worn.

The ability to remember all Dharma teachings that are heard. In other contexts, a dhāraṇi is a powerful recitation that is a precursor of mantras and is usually in the form of intelligible sentences or phrases that preserve or retain the essence of a teaching. There are two sets of “four retentions” in relation to this text. (A) As explained in the sūtra itself in chapter 24 (UT22084-055-001-2336): the retention, respectively, of teachings on composites, on sounds, on kleśas, and on purifications. (B) As explained in the commentary to the opening of the sūtra (1.2, see UT22084-055-001-93 ): the recited dhāraṇī sentences and phrases themselves, the retention of the memory of the words of all teachings given, the retention of the memory of the meaning of these teachings, and the retention of the realization gained through meditation on that meaning.

Also translated as “dhāraṇī.”

See “dhāraṇī.”

Also rendered here as “dhāraṇī.”

See “dhāraṇī.”

The incantations, or spells, are mnemonic formulas, possessed by advanced bodhisattvas, that contain a quintessence of their attainments, not simply magical charms‍—although the latter are included. The same term in Sanskrit and Tibetan also refers to a highly developed power present in bodhisattvas that is a process of memory and recall of detailed teachings, best translated “retention” in certain contexts.

“Formula” in the sense of a “mnemonic formula” encapsulating a method or key points in a few words. On the meaning of this term, see Braarvig 1985.

Also rendered here as “keeping it in mind,” “dhāraṇī.”

Also rendered here as “dhāraṇī,” “formula.”

An incantation, spell, or mnemonic formula that distills essential points of the Dharma. It is used by practitioners as an aid to memorize and recall detailed teachings, and to attain mundane and supramundane goals.

See “dhāraṇī.”

Often paired with “eloquence” (pratibhāna), recollection is the capacity to properly retain and recall the teachings.