Three levels of spiritual capacity

Glorious Atisha

Three levels of spiritual capacity (Wyl. skyes bu gsum) — the teachings on the gradual path (lamrim) categorize beings according to three levels of spiritual capacity:

1. Those of lesser capacity are inspired by a wish to attain the higher states within samsara as human beings or as gods.
2. Beings of middling capacity, the followers of the shravaka and pratyekabuddha paths, seek liberation from samsara for themselves alone.
3. Those of greater capacity, the bodhisattvas, are motivated by the wish to lead all beings to perfect buddhahood.

Alternative Translations

• Three scopes (Geshe Thupten Jinpa)

Teachings

• Professor Samdhong Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 2006