Three levels of spiritual capacity: Difference between revisions

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[[image:Atisha.JPG|frame|Glorious [[Atisha]]]]  
[[image:Atisha.JPG|frame|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:
The '''three levels of spiritual capacity''' ([[Wyl.]] ''skyes bu gsum'') are described in the teachings on the gradual path (''[[lamrim]]''), which derive from [[Atisha]]'s brief but important text ''[[Lamp for the Path of Awakening]]''. They are as follows:
#Those of '''lesser capacity''' are inspired by a wish to attain the higher states within [[samsara]] as human beings or as gods.
#Those of '''lesser capacity''' are inspired by a wish to attain the higher states within [[samsara]] as human beings or as gods.
#Beings of '''middling capacity''', the followers of the [[shravaka]] and [[pratyekabuddha]] paths, seek liberation from [[samsara]] for themselves alone.
#Beings of '''middling capacity''', the followers of the [[shravaka]] and [[pratyekabuddha]] paths, seek liberation from [[samsara]] for themselves alone.

Revision as of 16:36, 26 November 2010

Glorious Atisha

The three levels of spiritual capacity (Wyl. skyes bu gsum) are described in the teachings on the gradual path (lamrim), which derive from Atisha's brief but important text Lamp for the Path of Awakening. They are as follows:

  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

Teachings