The major practice traditions are often referred to in Tibetan literature as the Eight Chariots of the Practice Lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. The Eight Chariots refer to the eight major practice lineages of Tibetan learning and attainment, traditions which can be traced directly back through the centuries of the history of Tibet and beyond that into India. These traditions encompass the major schools and lineages within Tibet: 1. The main doctrinal lineage of Kama, the Ancient Translation School known as Nyingmapa 2. Atisha's lineage, the Old Kadampa School, and the New Kadampa 3. The lineage of the glorious Sakyapa 4. The Four Major Schools and Eight Minor Schools of the lineage of the Marpa Kagyü Tradition 5. The Shangpa Kagyü 6. Phadampa Sangye's and Machik Lapdron's lineage 7. Vajra Yoga Instruction Lineage 8. The Great Yogi Orgyenpa Rinchenpal's Lineage Each of the Eight Chariots of the Practice Lineages of Tibetan Buddhism has developed its own individual terminology within the context of specific practices, oral explanations, and regional understandings. Similar or identical terms are used differently within the contexts of each tradition's systems, and carry different meanings. Accordingly, there is enormous confusion among research scholars and translators in explaining and translating terms from different traditions. There currently exists no encompassing exegesis of the unique meanings and differences between similar terms used in each of the different contexts of the Eight Lineages. The Compendium of Buddhist Terminology will assist scholars and translators in clearly understanding the distinct meanings of each individual term according to the different traditions without mixing them up. The original version will be compiled in the Tibetan language. If there is sufficient interest and funding, we propose to translate the compendium into other languages.
