བྱིན་གྱིས་བརླབས། | Glossary of Terms

This term is usually translated into English with “blessings.” However, as explained in Edgerton 1953, p. 15; Eckel 1994, pp. 90–93; Gómez 2011, pp. 539 and 541; and Fiordalis 2012, pp. 104 and 118, adhiṣṭhāna conveys the notions of control (of one’s environment as a result of meditative absorption), authority, or protection (see Abhidharmakośa VII.51, cf. La Vallée Poussin 1925, p. 119ff.). Adhiṣṭhāna is also used to convey the idea of transformation through exerting one’s control over objects, people, and places. The term “sovereign power” seems to cover all these shades of meaning as well as the various usages of the Sanskrit term, for example satyādhiṣṭhāna “the sovereign power of truth” and adhiṣṭhānādhiṣṭita “empowered by the sovereign power (of the Tathāgata).”

Also rendered here as sustaining power.

A challenging term that derives from a Sanskrit verb that can mean to authorize or empower as well as to stand over, depend on, or serve as a basis for something. As a noun, it can refer to one’s determination or resolve that something be the case, and the object of one’s resolution. Its noun and verb forms are also used in this and other sūtras to convey a sense of extraordinary mastery and power, a kind of superhuman willpower to make things happen.

See “empowering authority.”

The “supernatural power” with which the buddhas sustain the bodhisattvas in their great efforts on behalf of living beings.

A monk’s robes are sanctioned at ordination. Furthermore, two types of offenses, saṅgha stigmata offense and transgressions requiring forfeiture, must be formally sanctioned or excused in order to be completely expunged.

The term is also translated as “blessing.” It literally denotes the circumstance of something being affected (brlabs) by a force that has the capacity to change the way of thinking or the appearance of others (byin).