The Changeless Nature

Notes 163NotesTranslator's Introduction1. parinirvana: the end of the Buddha's physical manifestation, where he leaveshis physical body. This may be interpreted variously according to differenttraditions. In the mahayana, it is held that Lord Buddha already achieved fullnon-abiding nirvana at the time of his enlightenment. This passing-away wasto convince his students of every composite thing's impermanence and to helpthem avoid the laziness that would develop if their teacher were eternallyavailable.2. cittamatrin: literally the 'just mind' school; one of the main streams ofmahayana philosophy other than madhyamaka.3. bodhisattva: see note 6 to Part One.4/5. hinayana and mahayana: see note 25 to Part One.6. stupa: monument symbolic of the buddha-mind, often built to enshrinerelics or human remains.7. mahamudra: the most profound Buddhist teachings, as embodied in theKagyu tradition (see note 8 below). These teachings can bring realisation veryrapidly and radically. This can be seen clearly in the lives of Tilopa, Naropa,Marpa, Milarepa, Gampopa and the other great Kagyu masters.8. Kagyu: literally 'transmission of the (Buddha's) teaching'. The Buddhisttradition stemming from the sambhogakaya aspect of Buddha Sakyamuni inthe form of Buddha Vajradhara, in which insight into the essence of mind, inall its aspects, is maintainted through a lineage of patriarchs. Buddha Sakyamunihimself predicted that this tradition was to continue until the verydisappearance of his teachings from this planet. This tradition was carried toTibet by Marpa the Translator in the 1 lth century and from Tibet to Indiaand the West by His Holiness the XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa in this century.NOTES TO PART ONE1. Treatise: For the meaning of this term and its relationship with the Buddha'steachings and commentaries upon these, see Introduction.