A monk mentioned as being present at the dialogue.

Poor, needy, deprived of, or a beggar.

In Buddhist literature, this is an epithet applied to buddhas, most often to Śākyamuni. The Sanskrit term generally means “possessing fortune,” but in specifically Buddhist contexts it implies that a buddha is in possession of six auspicious qualities (bhaga) associated with complete awakening. The Tibetan term‍—where bcom is said to refer to “subduing” the four māras, ldan to “possessing” the great qualities of buddhahood, and ’das to “going beyond” saṃsāra and nirvāṇa‍—possibly reflects the commentarial tradition where the Sanskrit bhagavat is interpreted, in addition, as “one who destroys the four māras.” This is achieved either by reading bhagavat as bhagnavat (“one who broke”), or by tracing the word bhaga to the root √bhañj (“to break”).

The central pillar is an essential element of the domed stūpa with a significant ritual importance.

In this text, a realm where one is happy for an eon.

This refers to the four forms of discernment or special knowledge that pertain to meaning, phenomena, definitions, and eloquence.

A crown or turban that dons the head of the king and symbolizes royalty.

The five aspects of the clarity of melodious speech are as follows: it is intelligible and brings full comprehension, is worthy to listen to and without unpleasant intonations, has depth and resonance, is generous and pleasant to hear, and is unruffled.

These comprise (1) the eye of flesh, (2) the eye of divine clairvoyance, (3) the eye of wisdom, (4) the eye of Dharma, and (5) the eye of the buddhas.

A chowrie, a fly whisk, or a yak-tail fan.

Literally “those who have been fully extinguished.” In Sanskrit, the term nirvāṇa literally means “extinguishment” and the Tibetan mya ngan las ’das pa literally means “gone beyond sorrow.” As a general term, it refers to the cessation of all suffering, afflicted mental states (kleśa), and causal processes (karma) that lead to rebirth and suffering in cyclic existence, as well as to the state in which all such rebirth and suffering has permanently ceased.

A park in Śrāvastī, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kośala in northern India. It was owned by Prince Jeta, and the wealthy merchant Anāthapiṇḍada, wishing to offer it to the Buddha, bought it from him by covering the entire property with gold coins. It was to become the place where the monks could be housed during the monsoon season, thus creating the first Buddhist monastery. It is therefore the setting for many of the Buddha's discourses.

An ancient kingdom, northwest of Magadha, abutting Kāśi, whose capital was Śrāvastī. During the Buddha’s time it was ruled by Prasenajit. It presently corresponds to an area within Uttar Pradesh.

Usually an epithet for Indra or Śakra, the chief of the gods who dwells in the Heaven of the Thirty-Three.

In a general sense, samādhi can describe a number of different meditative states. In the Mahāyāna literature, in particular in the Prajñāpāramitā sūtras, we find extensive lists of different samādhis, numbering over one hundred.

In a more restricted sense, and when understood as a mental state, samādhi is defined as the one-pointedness of the mind (cittaikāgratā), the ability to remain on the same object over long periods of time. The Drajor Bamponyipa (sgra sbyor bam po gnyis pa) commentary on the Mahāvyutpatti explains the term samādhi as referring to the instrument through which mind and mental states “get collected,” i.e., it is by the force of samādhi that the continuum of mind and mental states becomes collected on a single point of reference without getting distracted.

A name commonly associated with the Hindu god Viṣṇu and often used in Buddhist texts as an example of someone with superhuman strength.

A garland of pearls or necklaces (according to some, made of 108 or 64 strings).

An outcast or someone born into a low caste.

A king of Kośala and disciple-patron of the Buddha.

A common epithet of the Buddha.

A container of relics, such as a stūpa.

Used in this text as an epithet of the Buddha, seemingly. It means one who possesses supreme intelligence.

The tiered parasol, spire, or shaft atop a stūpa.

One of the thirty-two marks of a great person (mahāpuruṣa)

Whitewash or lime plaster.

An epithet for the Buddha.