Ucchusma Vajra: Also known as “Firehead” Dharma Protector, who manifested from the mind of Shakyamuni Buddha. The guardian of cess pools and things filthy. This dharma should be recited in unclean places. See Shurangama Sutra.
Uddiyana (Oddiyana): Land knowns as the Paradise of the Dakinis. Birthplace of Guru Padmasambhava, Garab Dorje, Tilopa, and others. Believed to be located west of India close to Lake Kutra in the region of Dhanakosha in present day North-eastern Kashmir (now Pakistan) – a region right in the middle between Chitral, Gilgit and Swat. Also known as O-rgyan, Urgyen.
Ugyen (Orgyen) Pema (Padma) Lingpa (1405 or 1445-1521): One of the most illustrious and controversial tertons in Tibet; One of the “Five Terton Kings” and the greatest spiritual master of Bhutan. Currently incarnated as Urgyen Xirao.
Ugyen Second Buddha: See “Padmasambhava.”
Ullambana Dharma Assembly: Also known as the Ksitigarbha or Earth Store Bodhisattva Dharma Assembly held to celebrate Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s birthday and the Pavarana (Pravarana) day. In ancient India this was held on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month to mark the close of the summer retreat. It is held to rescue one’s parents of seven lives past, especially those suffering as hungry ghosts and enabling them to be reborn in the heavens. Offerings made to the Triple Jewel on this day are several million times greater in merit than those given on ordinary days.
ultimate truth or reality (paramaratha-satya): The unconditional dharmas of which there is no production, passing away, or alteration. All phenomena including internal (thoughts and feelings) and external (the outside physical world) do not have any inherent existence. The ultimate truth can only be perceived by an enlightened individual. See “Buddha-dharma,” “conventional wisdom,” and “two truths.”
Unchanging Vajra Being: Rigzin Terdak Lingpa (1646-1714), the founder of the Mindrolling Monastery, the greatest of the six subsects of the Nyingma. Most current incarnatation was as Dorje Rinzin Rinopche, Dharma King of the Nyingma Sect.
Upali: One of the ten main disciples of the buddha who was noted for his understanding of the monastic law and discipline (Vinaya). He is said to have recited the code of rules from memory at the First Council held at Rajagrha. Before becoming a monk, he had been an outcast and served the princes as a barber. He mastered the dharma of meditation while cutting the Buddha’s hair. Because of this, the Buddha ordained him before the princes. See disciples, Surangama Sutra.
upasaka: A male lay adherent who vows to observe the five precepts.
upashika: A female lay adherent who vows to observe the five precepts.
upayakausalya: the concept of skillful or expedient means as expounded in the Lotus Sutra and other sutras. This skill is perfected in the seventh level (duramgama-bhumi) of the Bodhisattva path.
upeksha: Equanimity. One of the seven limbs of enlightenment and one of the Four Limitless States of Mind (apramana).
uposatha (posadha): The day preceding the four stages moon’s cycle–the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 23rd nights of the lunar calendar. Also refers to the semi-monthly gathering of monks and nuns to recite the “Pratimoksa precepts,” which happen on these days. On uposatha days laymen and laywomen take upon themselves the “Eight Precepts,” known on that occasion as uposatha vows.
ushnisha (oos-NEESH-ah): a topknot or protuberance at the top of the head of a Buddha.
Urgyen Lingpa (1829-1870): Also known as Orgyen Chokyur Lingpa or Chokgyur Denchen Lingpa of the Nyingma Sect; One of the major tertons in Tibetan history, being known as the universal monarch of all tertons: considered the last of the 100 tertons predicted by Guru Padmasambhava.
Uyen Padma Jungne (6th BCE-8th CE): Another name for Guru Padmasambhava.