Four elements that make an action complete

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Four elements that make an action complete

  1. the basis (Skt. vastu; Wyl. gzhi)
  2. the intention (Skt. āśaya)
  3. the execution (Skt. prayoga)
  4. the completion (Skt. niṣṭhāgamana; Wyl. mthar thug)

An example is given in the Words of My Perfect Teacher[1]:

Take the example of a hunter killing a wild animal. First of all, he sees an actual stag, or musk-deer, or whatever it might be, and identifies the animal beyond any doubt: his knowing that it is a living creature is the basis for the act. Next, the wish to kill it arises: the idea of killing it is the intention to carry out the act. Then he shoots the animal in a vital point with a gun, bow and arrow or any other weapon: the physical action of killing is the execution of the act. Thereupon the animal's vital functions cease and the conjunction of its body and mind is sundered: that is the final completion of the act of taking a life.

References

  1. Patrul Rinpoche, The Words of My Perfect Teacher (Boston: Shambhala, Revised edition, 1998), pages 103-104.