Glossary

Maha Parinirvana. A more emphatic term for Nirvana. Translated as "perfect quietude". See also: Nirvana.

Mahasattva. An epithet used for great Bodhisattvas.

Maha Vairocana Tathagata. The Dharma Body of .Shakyamuni

Buddha. Vairocana is the Dharma Body Buddha; Nishyanda is the Reward Body Buddha; and there are hundreds of thousands of Transformation Body Shakyamuni Buddhas.

Mahayana. Means "Great Vehicle" in English. Described by seven kinds of greatness, which are:

1) Greatness of the Dharma (the entire Buddhist canon);

2) Greatness of the resolve (to save oneself, to save all living beings, and to bring self and others to enlightenment);

3) Understanding the great storehouse (the scope of the Bodhisattva intent);

4) Greatness of purity (precepts);

5) Greatness of adornment (blessings and wisdom);

6) Greatness of time (as long as three great eons);

7) Greatness of the perfection (fulfilling the Six Paramitas and myriad practices, and obtaining Bodhi). See also: Northern Buddhism, Southern Buddhism.

Maitreya Bodhisattva. A Bodhisattva predicted to succeed Shakyamuni as a future Buddha. Also called Ajita, meaning "invincible".

Mandala. A Sanskrit word meaning "circle". Usually means formal, geometric representations that show divinities or the relationship among divinities as they exist in their own spheres of energy within the Buddhist cosmos. A place to practise the teachings of the Buddha.

Mani pearl. Also known as Cintamani. The talismanic pearl, a symbol of bestowing fortune and capable of fulfilling every wish.

Manjushri Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattva foremost in wisdom.

Mantra. Mantras are series of secret sounds that invoke responses. Their benefits include healing illness, eradicating offences, stopping evil and producing goodness. It is the secret language of all Buddhas. Also known as Dharani.

Modes of birth. Also known as four forms of birth. A classification of the ways of coming into existence. They are:

1) Birth from the womb.

2) Birth from eggs.

3) Birth from moisture.

4) Birth by transformation. (Such beings, after the end of their previous lifetime, suddenly appear in this fashion due to their karma, without the help of parents or any other intermediary agency).

Mudra. Mudrani; a seal; sign; token; hand or finger sign. Ritual gestures of the hands used in symbolic magic.