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Abhiseka. The method of initiation applied by the School of Vajrayana. The practice is meant to render protection and great compassion towards the disciples, so that they could attain the highest fruition of Bodhi, When one receives the initiation from all the Buddhas, one will gain perfect merits and virtues. There are many methods of initiation.
Alaya Consciousness. Also called 'store consciousness' , 'eighth consciousness' , or 'karma repository'. All karma created in the present and previous lifetimes is stored here. The alaya consciousness is regarded as that which undergoes the cycle of birth and death. All the actions and experiences of life that take place through the first seven consciousness are accumulated as karma in this alaya consciousness, which at the same time exerts an influence on the workings of the seven consciousness. It is the only consciousness that transmigrates and is the first to arrive at conception and the last to leave at death.
Amitabha Buddha. The word Amitabha is used to represent 'Amitabha' (infinite light) and 'Amitayus' (infinite life). Presides over the Western Pure Land or Sukhavati, where anyone can be reborn through utterly sincere and single-minded recitation of his name, particularly at the time of death. See also: Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Amitayus Tathagata. See Amitabha Buddha.
Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. The utmost, proper and equal Enlightenment. The highest enlightenment, realised by Buddhas.
Apasmara. One of the fifteen malevolent demons which disturbs young children.
Arhat. One of the fruition of the path of cultivation. Arhats have attained the cessation of involuntary physical birth and death. The word has three meanings, which are as follows:
1) Worthy of offerings.
2) Killer of thieves. Arhats have killed the thieves of afflictions and outflows.
3) Without birth. An Arhat dwells in the forbearance of the non-arising of dharmas. They have ended birth and death of the body.
Asamkhyeyas of eons. Asamkhyeya is a Sanskrit word that means "uncountable". Eon is a translation of the Sanskrit term kalpa.
1 kalpa = 139,600years
1,000 kalpas = 1 small kalpa
20 small kalpas = 1 middle-sized kalpa
4 middle-sized kalpas = 1 great kalpa
Asura. Spirits or titanic demons. There are four classes named according to their manner of rebirth: egg-born, womb-born, transformation-born and spawn or water-born. Generally, their abode is in the ocean, north of Mount Sumeru.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva of great compassion who regards the sounds of the world. Also known as 'Guanyin Bodhisattva' or 'Guanshiyin Bodhisattva'.
Avici Hell. Avici is a Sanskrit term that means "relentless" or "unintermittent". There are many relentless hells, but only the most severe one is called Avici.
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