Udayana Raja (Sanskrit). A king of Kausambi, called Vatsaraja, who was the first to have a statue of Buddha made before his death; in consequence of which, say the Roman Catholics, who build statues of Madonnas and Saints at every street corner - he "became the originator of Buddhist IDOLATRY".

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

Sighra or Sighraga (Sanskrit). The father of Moru, "who is still living through the power of Yoga, and will manifest himself in the beginning of the Krita age in order to re-establish the Kshattriyas in the nineteenth Yuga" say the Puranic prophecies. "Moru" stands here for "Morya ", the dynasty of the Buddhist sovereigns of Pataliputra which began with the great King Chandragupta, the grandsire of King Asoka. It is the first Buddhist Dynasty. (Secret Doctrine, I., 378.)

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

Sighra or Sighraga (Sanskrit) Swiftly moving; the father of Maru, "'who is still living through the power of Yoga, and will manifest himself in the beginning of the Krita age in order to re-establish the Kshattriyas in the nineteenth Yuga' say the Puranic prophecies"; Moru (Morya, Maurya) standing for "the dynasty of Buddhist sovereigns of Pataliputra which began with the great King Chandragupta, the grandsire of King Asoka. It is the first Buddhist Dynasty" (TG 299).

(See also: Sighra, Sighraga, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

S’ambhala (Sanskrit). A very mysterious locality on account of its future associations. A town or village mentioned in the Puranas, whence, it is prophesied, the Kalki Avatar will appear.

The "Kalki"is Vishnu, the Messiah on the White Horse of the Brahmins; Maitreya Buddha of the Buddhists, Sosiosh of the Parsis, and Jesus of the Christians (See Revelations). All these " messengers" are to appear " before the destruction of the world ", says the one; before the end of Kali Yuga say the others. It is in S’ambhala that the future Messiah will be born. Some Orientalists make modern Muradabad in Rohilkhand (N.W.P.) identical with S’ambhala, while Occultism places it in the Himalayas. It is pronounced Shambhala.

(See also: S’ambhala, Theosophy, Spirituality, Body mind and Soul, Spiritual Dictionary, )

Shamans. An order of Tartar or Mongolian priest-magicians, or as some say, priest-sorcerers. They are not Buddhists, but a sect of the old Bhon religion of Tibet. They live mostly in Siberia and its borderlands. Both men and women may be Shamans. They are all magicians, or rather sensitives or mediums artificially developed. At present those who act as priests among the Tartars are generally very ignorant, and far below the fakirs in knowledge and education.

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

Chakravartin cakravartin (Sanskrit) (from chakra wheel, cycle + vartin turning, one who governs)

Sovereign of the world, universal ruler; a title applied to several Hindu emperors, but referring particularly to Vishnu, who in the treta yuga in the form of a universal monarch protected the three worlds.

At the end of kali yuga, legend states that Vishnu will appear again under his form of the Kalki-avatara, or Maitreya as the Buddhists say, reforming or doing away with the wicked and inaugurating a realm of spirituality and righteousness. Equivalent to the Hebrew Enduring King (Enoch 36:3).

(See also: Chakravartin, cakravartin, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Tum, or To?m The "Brothers of the Tum", a very ancient school of Initiation in Northern India in the days of Buddhist persecution. The "Turn B’hai" have now become the "Aum B’hai", spelt, however, differently at present, both schools having merged into one. The first was composed of Kshatriyas, the second of Brahmans. The word "Tum" has a double meaning, that of darkness (absolute darkness), which as absolute is higher than the highest and purest of lights, and a sense resting on the mystical greeting among Initiates, " Thou art thou, thyself ", equivalent to saying "Thou art one with the Infinite and the All".

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

Shin-sieu (Chinese) A sage and seer; the sixth Buddhist Patriarch of North China who taught the esoteric doctrine of bodhidharma, one of whose sayings appears in The Voice of the Silence: "For mind is like a mirror; it gathers dust while it reflects. It needs the gentle breezes of Soul Wisdom to brush away the dust of our illusions. Seek, O Beginner, to blend thy Mind and Soul"; "The human mind is like a mirror which attracts and reflects every atom of dust, and has to be, like that mirror, watched over and dusted every day" (VS 26, 83).

(See also: Shin-sieu, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Airavata (Sanskrit) (from iravat moisture-possessing from ira drink, food)

Son of Iravati; a vast elephant produced at the churning of the ocean and appropriated by the god Indra. When seated upon Airavata, Indra blesses the earth with rain, i.e., with the water that is drawn up by Airavata from the underworld. According to the Matangalila, Airavata was born when Brahma sang over the halves of the shell from which Garuda hatched, followed by seven more male and eight female elephants.

In the Mahabharata (Adi-parvan, ch 66) Airavata guards the eastern zone. Four such "elephants" (sometimes eight, each with its sakti or feminine potency) uphold the structure of the earth. The mighty four-tusked Airavata, therefore, represents one of the lokapalas (world protectors) -- called by Buddhists maharajas (great kings) -- which are the guardians and supporters of the universe. They are also mystically connected with the lipikas, the eternal karmic scribes. In the Bhagavad-Gita (10:2, 7) Krishna, in naming his divine manifestations, says that among elephants he is Airavata.

(See also: Airavata, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Abhayagiri (Sanskrit) (from a not + bhaya fear + giri mountain, hill)

Mount Fearless; a mountain in Sri Lanka. According to Fa-hien, the Chinese traveler, in 400 AD. Abhayagiri had an ancient Buddhist vihara (monastery) of some 5,000 priest and ascetics, whose studies comprised both the Mahayana and Hinayana systems, as well as Triyana (three paths), "the three successive degrees of Yoga. . . . Tradition says that owing to bigoted intolerance and persecution, they left Ceylon and passed beyond the Himalayas, where they have remained ever since" (TG 2-3).

Abhayagiri-vasinah (from vas to dwell, inhabit)

Dwellers on Mount Fearless; also a branch of Katyayana's disciples (3rd century BC).

(See also: Abhayagiri, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Abhayagiri (Sanskrit). Lit., "Mount Fearless" in Ceylon. It has an ancient Vihara or Monastery in which the well-known Chinese traveller Fa-hien found 5,000 Buddhist priests and ascetics in the year 400 of our era, and a School called Abhayagiri Vasinah,, "School of the Secret Forest".

This philosophical school was regarded as heretical, as the ascetics studied the doctrines of both the "greater" and the "smaller" vehicles -  or the Mahayana and the Hinayana systems and Triyana or the three successive degrees of Yoga; just as a certain Brotherhood does now beyond the Himalayas. This proves that the "disciples of Katyayana were and are as unsectarian as their humble admirers the Theosophists are now. (See "Sthavirah" School.)

This was the most mystical of all the schools, and renowned for the number of Arhats it produced. The Brotherhood of Abhayagiri called themselves the disciples of Katyayana, the favourite Chela of Gautama, the Buddha. Tradition says that owing to bigoted intolerance and persecution, they left Ceylon and passed beyond the Himalayas, where they have remained ever since.

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

Tum [possibly Sanskrit tvam thou]

An ancient fraternity, formerly existing in Northern India, and well known in the days of the persecution of Buddhists there. Tum "has a double meaning, that of darkness (absolute darkness), which as absolute is higher than the highest and purest of lights, and a sense resting on the mystical greeting among Initiates, 'Thou art thou, thyself,' equivalent to saying 'Thou art one with the Infinite and the All' "; "The 'Tum B'hai' have now become the 'Aum B'hai,' spelt, however, differently at present, both schools having merged into one. The first was composed of Kshatriyas, the second of Brahmans" (TG 345).

In Slavic languages tma is still in use as a word meaning darkness.

(See also: Tum, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Lanka (Sanskrit). The ancient name of the island now called Ceylon. It is also the name of a mountain in the South East of Ceylon, where, as tradition says, was a town peopled with demons named Lankapuri.

 It is described in the epic of the Ramayana as of gigantic extent and magnificence, "with seven broad moats and seven stupendous walls of stone and metal". Its foundation is attributed to Visva-Karma, who built it for Kuvera, the king of the demons, from whom it was taken by Ravana, the ravisher of Sita.

The Bhagavat Purana shows Lanka or Ceylon as primarily the summit of Mount Meru, which was broken off by Vayu, god of the wind, and hurled into the ocean. It has since become the seat of the Southern Buddhist Church, the Siamese Sect (headed at present by the High Priest Sumangala), the representation of the purest exoteric Buddhism on this side of the Himalayas.

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

Sapphire Many ancient peoples knew how to avail themselves of the magical virtues of precious stones. The sapphire was especially valued because supposed to enshrine some of the influences of Venus as transmitted through other attributes to Luna or the higher aspect of the Moon, and so to be able to induce equanimity and banish evil thoughts.

" 'The sapphire,' say the Buddhists, 'will open barred doors and dwellings (for the spirit of man); it produces a desire for prayer, and brings with it more peace than any other gem; but he who would wear it must lead a pure and holy life' " (IU 1:265).

Modern authorities surmise that the sappheiros of the Greeks and the sappir of the Bible were our lapis lazuli, while our sapphire was called hyacinthus. The same qualities are attributed to the color blue.

(See also: Sapphire, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Sila (Sanskrit) [from the verbal root sil to serve, practice]

Moral fortitude, ethical steadiness, one of the Buddhist paramitas. Described as "the key of Harmony in word and act, the key that counterbalances the cause and the effect, and leaves no further room for Karmic action" (VS 47). The Mahayana Sraddhotpada Sastra says of practicing sila: "Lay disciples, having families, should abstain from killing, stealing, adultery, lying, duplicity, slander, frivolous talk, covetousness, malice, currying favor, and false doctrines. Unmarried disciples should, in order to avoid hindrances, retire from the turmoil of worldly life and, abiding in solitude, should practise those ways which lead to quietness and moderation and contentment. . . . They should endeavor by their conduct to avoid all disapproval and blame, and by their example incite others to forsake evil and practise the good." {from FSO p. 45}

(See also: Sila, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Trisarana (Sanskrit) The three refuges or protections, also called triratna or ratnatraya (three jewels); the Buddhist formula Buddha, dharma, sangha or samgha. Originally bodhi, dharma, and sangha (wisdom, its laws, and its priests or spiritual exponents).

"The philosopher of the Yoga-charya School would say -- as well he could -- 'Dharma is not a person but an unconditioned and underived entity, combining in itself the spiritual and material principles of the universe, whilst from Dharma proceeded, by emanation, Buddha ['reflected' Bodhi rather]

as the creative energy which produced, in conjunction with Dharma, the third factor in the trinity, viz., "Samgha," which is the comprehensive sum total of all real life.' Samgha, then, is not and cannot be that which it is now understood to be, namely, the actual 'priesthood'; for the latter is not the sum total of all real life, but only of religious life. The real primitive significance of the word Samgha or 'Sangha' applies to the Arhats or Bhikshus, or the 'initiates,' alone, that is to say to the real exponents of Dharma -- the divine law and wisdom, coming to them as a reflex light from the one 'boundless light' " (TG 342).

Further, the Buddha meant is not any particular Buddha but Adi-Bodhi or the First Logos, "whose primordial ray is Mahabuddhi, the Universal Seal, Alaya, whose flame is ubiquitous, and whose influence has a different sphere on each of the three forms of existence, because, once again, it is Universal Being itself or the reflex of the Absolute" (TG 343).

(See also: Trisarana, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body mind and Soul)

Iddhi (Pali) (from the verbal root sidh to succeed, attain an objective, reach accomplishment)

Equivalent to the Sanskrit siddhi, used to signify the powers or attributes of perfection: powers of various kinds, spiritual and intellectual as well as astral and physical, acquired through training, discipline, initiation, and individual holiness. In Buddhism it is generally rendered "occult power." There are two classes of iddhis, the higher of which, according to the Digha-Nikaya and other Buddhist works, are eight in number: 1) the power to project mind-made images of oneself; 2) to become invisible; 3) to pass through solid things, such as a wall; 4) to penetrate solid ground as if it were water; 5) to walk on water; 6) to fly through the air; 7) to touch sun and moon; and 8) to ascend into the highest heavens. The same work represents the Buddha as saying:

"It is because I see danger in the practice of these mystic wonders that I loathe and abhor and am ashamed thereof" (1:213) -- a true statement although iddhis are powers of the most desirable kind when pertaining to the higher nature, for they are of spiritual, intellectual, and higher psychical character. It is only when iddhis or siddhis are limited to the meaning of the gross astral psychic attributes that the Buddha properly condemns them as being dangerous always, and to the ambitious and selfish person extremely perilous. Further, it was an offense against the regulations of the Brotherhood (Samgha) for any member to display any powers before the laity.

The bases for the acquirement of the iddhis rested upon four completed steps in training (iddhipada): determination in respect of concentration on purpose, on will, on thoughts, and on investigation.

(See also: Iddhi, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Chaos (Greek) (from chaino to gape, yawn open)

"The earth was without form and void," says Genesis in describing the first stages of cosmogony. In Greek mythology contains the same idea of the primordial emptiness and formlessness which precedes the rebirth of a universe after pralaya. It was the vacant and spiritual space which existed before the creation of the universe or of the world; from it proceeded Darkness and Night.

Chaos is "chaotic" only in the sense that its constituents are unformed and unorganized; it is the kosmic storehouse of all the latent or resting seeds from former manvantaras. It means space -- not the Boundless, parabrahman-mulaprakriti, but the space of any particular hierarchy descending into manifestation. In one sense it is the condition of a solar system or planetary chain during its pralaya, containing all the elements in an undifferentiated state. Aether and chaos are the two principles immediately posterior to the first principle.

Various terms more or less synonymous are akasa, the universal egg (from which Brahma issued as light), the virgin egg, the virgin mother, the immaculate root (fructified by the ray), the primeval deep, the abyss, the great mother. The divine ray and chaos are father-mother or cosmic fire and water. Chaos-Theos-Cosmos are the triple deity or all-in-all. Chaos was personified in Egypt by the goddess Neith, who is the Father-Mother of the Stanzas of Dzyan, the akasa of the Hindus, the svabhavat of the northern Buddhists, and the Icelandic ginnungagap.

(See also: Chaos, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Bodhi Tree or Bo Tree The tree of wisdom or knowledge; the tree (Pippala or Ficus religiosa) "under which Sakyamuni meditated for seven years and then reached Buddhaship. It was originally 400 feet high, it is claimed; but when Hiouen-Tsang saw it, about the year 640 of our era, it was only 50 feet high. Its cuttings have been carried all over the Buddhist world and are planted in front of almost every Vihara or temple of fame in China, Siam, Ceylon, and Tibet" (TG 59).

This legend of the enormous height attained by the fig tree under which the Buddha obtained enlightenment, illustrates how soon the spiritual vision of the real meaning of the bodhi tree became involved in mythologic wonder.

While the historical legend of the Buddha obtaining omniscience under the bodhi tree may be correct historically, it is also a usage of the mystical language of the Mysteries -- Gautama attaining supreme wisdom and knowledge under the "wisdom tree" is but another way of saying that through initiation into the highest grades of the Mysteries, he reached the stage of buddhahood because he was already a buddha through inner evolution. Again, in India adepts of both the right- and left-hand were often referred to as trees, the path indicated by whether the tree named was beneficent or maleficent.

See also ASVATTHA

(See also: Bodhi Tree, Bo Tree, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Rosary

In the Western world, the rosary is generally though of as a Catholic prayer item. Catholics say the rosary by repetitive prayer and meditation, with the focus on the Blessed Mother or the Virgin Mary. However, most religions have their own prayer beads or rosary. A rosary consists of pearls or beads linked together by a thread. The Hindu rosary has 50 beads, Buddhist rosary 108 beads, and the Muslim rosary 99 beads and in Africa some groups have a rosary made out of human teeth. Prayers and specific meditations of each religion are different and there are theological reasons for the number of beads. Rosaries may come in different colors, sizes and designs. However, the central purpose, which is to pray repetitively and to meditate, is the same across all religions that use them as a prayer tool. If you are seeing rosary beads in your dream it suggests that prayer and meditation is needed in your daily life. The unconscious generally provides us with helpful images that are not always difficult to understand. Thus, if you are not a prayerful person, the rosary in your dreams may be encouraging you to begin a more introspective and meditative life. Think about the rosary in your dream and try to decipher what it means to you and how you may incorporate meditation and peaceful reflection into your conscious life.

Source: Dream Lover Incorporated, http://www.dreamloverinc.com

(See also: Dream Archives, Meaning of Dreams, Dream Interpretation, Dream Dictionary, Dream Dictionary - Rosary, Meaning of Dreams about Rosary, Dream Interpretation Rosary)