Four modes

From Rigpa Wiki
Revision as of 08:16, 28 September 2017 by Sébastien (talk | contribs)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

The tantric teachings have meanings on many levels, so to unlock the accurate meaning of a tantra we must follow a series of methods which are known as the six limits and four modes (Skt. caturvidha; Wyl. tshul bzhi). These ten approaches taken all together will bring out the perfect, accurate meaning of the tantra.

The six limits apply to how we understand the text as a whole and the four modes relate directly to the interpretation of each word and line.

The four modes are:

  1. linguistic (or morphemic) (tshig gi tshul)
  2. general (spyi'i tshul)
  3. hidden (sbas pa'i tshul)
  4. ultimate (mthar thug gi tshul)

Alternative Translations

  • Four programs of interpretation (Thurman)
  • Four styles (Matthew Kapstein)
  1. lexical
  2. general
  3. concealed
  4. conclusive
  • (Khenpo Palden Sherab & Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal)
  1. word meaning

Further Reading

  • Robert Thurman. 'Vajra Hermeneutics' in Donald S. Lopez (ed.), Buddhist Hermeneutics. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1993
  • Appendix 1. The Six Limits & Four Modes pp.161-166 in The Light of Wisdom Volume 1. Root text by Padmasambhava and commentary by Jamgön Kongtrül the Great. Published by Shambhala Publications ISBN 0-87773-566-2
  • Khenpo Palden Sherab & Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal, Tara's Enlightened Activity: an oral commentary on the Twenty-one Praises to Tara. Pages 35-37. ISBN 9781559392877

Internal Links