Vairochana (Sanskrit). "All-enlightening".

A mystic symbol, or rather a generic personification of a class of spiritual beings described as the embodiment of essential wisdom (bodhi) and absolute purity. They dwell in the fourth Arupa Dhatu (formless world) or Buddhakshetra, and are the first or the highest hierarchy of the five orthodox Dhyani Buddhas.

There was a Sramana (an Arhat) of this name (see Eitel’s Sansk. Chin. Dict.) a native of Kashmir, "who introduced Buddhism into Kustan and lahoured in Tibet" (in the seventh century of our era). He was the best translator of the semi-esoteric Canon of Northern

Buddhism, and a contemporary of the great Samantabhadra (q.v.).

(See also: Vairochana, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Vajra (Sanskrit). Lit., "diamond club" or sceptre. In the Hindu works, the sceptre of Indra, similar to the thunderbolts of Zeus, with which this deity, as the god of thunder, slays his enemies. But in mystical Buddhism, the magic sceptre of Priest-Initiates, exorcists and adepts - the symbol of the possession of Siddhis or superhuman powers, wielded during certain ceremonies by the priests and theurgists. It is also the symbol of Buddha’s power over evil spirits or elementals. The possessors of this wand are called Vajrapani (q.v.).

(See also: Vajra, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Jordan Yardan (Hebrew) "The flowing" (a river) -- with a collateral idea of descent from a higher place, in which lies its mystical significance.

"Many Christian hymns speak of the mystical Jordan and of reaching the 'shore beyond,' a conception which appears to be more or less identic with that of Buddhism. 'This side' is the life of the world, the usual or common pursuits of men. The 'other shore' is simply the life spiritual, involving the expansion in relatively full power and function of the entire range of man's nature. In other words, to reach the 'other shore' means living at one with the divinity within, and hence partaking of the universal life in relatively full self-consciousness" (FSO 43-4). This symbolism applies to other holy rivers, such as the Nile and Ganges.

Blavatsky, commenting on the Pistis Sophia, says that the Jordan is "the mystic 'River' which stopped the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt 'which is the body' (V, 7)"; the Pilosophumena (bk 8, ch 3) states that at Jesus' baptism he left his "impression" in the Jordan, so that after his physical body had been destroyed by crucifixion, his soul "might put on the body, which had been impressed in the water when he was baptized, instead of the fleshly body" -- an allegory of initiation.

See also ERIDANUS; HAP; MANO

(See also: Jordan, Yardan, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Lama (Tibet, Tibetan). Written "Clama". The title, if correctly applied, belongs only to the priests of superior grades, those who can hold office as gurus in the monasteries.

Unfortunately every common member of the gedun (clergy) calls himself or allows himself to be called "Lama". A real Lama is an ordained and thrice ordained Gelong. Since the reform produced by Tsong-ka-pa, many abuses have again crept into the theocracy of the land. There are "Lama-astrologers", the Chakhan, or common Tsikhan (from tsigan, "gypsy"), and Lama-soothsayers, even such as are allowed to marry and do not belong to the clergy at all.

They are very scarce, however, in Eastern Tibet, belonging principally to Western Tibet and to sects which have nought to do with the Gelukpas (yellow caps). Unfortunately, Orientalists knowing next to nothing of the true state of affairs in Tibet, confuse the Choichong, of the Gurmakhayas Lamasery (Lhassa) - the Initiated Esotericists, with the Charlatans and Dugpas (sorcerers) of the Bhon sects. No wonder if - as Schagintweit says in his Buddhism in Tibet - "though the images of King Choichong (the "god of astrology") are met with in most monasteries of Western Tibet and the Himalayas, my brothers never saw a Lama Choichong".

This is but natural. Neither the Choichong, nor the Kubilkhan (q.v.) overrun the country. As to the "God" or "King Choichong" he is no more a "god of astrology" than any other "Planetary" Dhyan Chohan.

(See also: Lama, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

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