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'''The four reliances''' (Tib. Tönpa shyi; ''rton pa bzhi'')
The '''four reliances''' (Skt. ''catuḥpratisaraṇa''; Tib. རྟོན་པ་བཞི་, ''tönpa shyi'', [[Wyl.]] ''rton pa bzhi'')


1. Rely on the message of the teacher, not on his personality;<br>
#Rely on the message of the teacher, not on his personality (''gang zag la mi rton/ chos la rton'');
2. Rely on the meaning, not just on the words;<br>
#Rely on the meaning, not just on the words (''tshig la mi rton/ don la rton'');
3. Rely on the real meaning, not on the provisional one;<br>
#Rely on the [[definitive meaning|real meaning]], not on the [[provisional meaning|provisional one]] (''drang don la mi rton/ nges don la rton'');
4. Rely on your wisdom mind, not on your ordinary, judgemental mind.
#Rely on your wisdom mind, not on your ordinary, judgemental mind (''rnam shes la mi rton/ ye shes la rton'').


See ''Tibetan Book of Living and Dying'', chapter nine.
These were taught by the Buddha shortly before his passing away in [[sutra]]s such as the ''[[The Teaching of Akshayamati]]'' and the ''[[Sutra of the Questions of the Naga King Anavatapta]]''. They are commented upon in works such as [[Asanga]]'s ''[[Yogacarabhumi|Stages of Spiritual Practice]]''.  


==Commentary==
==Commentary==
[[Mipham Rinpoche]] says in {{LH|tibetan-masters/mipham/sword-of-wisdom|''The Sword of Wisdom''}}:<br>


[[Mipham Rinpoche]] says in ''[[The Sword of Wisdom]]'':<br>
:If you do not have such understanding,<br>
 
:Then, like a blind man leaning on his staff,<br>
If you do not have such understanding,<br>
:You can rely on fame, mere words or what is easy to understand,<br>
Then, like a blind man leaning on his staff,<br>
:And go against the logic of the four reliances.<br>
You can rely on fame, mere words or what is easy to understand,<br>
And go against the logic of the four reliances.<br>


===1. Do not rely on the individual, but on the Dharma===
===1. Do not rely on the individual, but on the Dharma===
Line 21: Line 20:
He also says in ''The Sword of Wisdom'':<br>
He also says in ''The Sword of Wisdom'':<br>


Therefore do not rely on individuals,<br>
:Therefore do not rely on individuals,<br>
But rely upon the [[Dharma]].<br>
:But rely upon the [[Dharma]].<br>
Freedom comes from the genuine path that is taught,<br>
:Freedom comes from the genuine path that is taught,<br>
Not the one who teaches it.<br>
:Not the one who teaches it.<br>


When the teachings are well presented,<br>
:When the teachings are well presented,<br>
It does not matter what the speaker is like.<br>
:It does not matter what the speaker is like.<br>
Even the [[sugata|bliss-gone buddhas]] themselves<br>
:Even the [[sugata|bliss-gone buddhas]] themselves<br>
Appear as butchers and such like to train disciples.<br>
:Appear as butchers and such like to train disciples.<br>


If he contradicts the meaning of the [[Mahayana]] and so on,<br>
:If he contradicts the meaning of the [[Mahayana]] and so on,<br>
Then however eloquent a speaker may seem,<br>
:Then however eloquent a speaker may seem,<br>
He will bring you no benefit,<br>
:He will bring you no benefit,<br>
Like a demon appearing in a buddha’s form.<br>
:Like a demon appearing in a buddha’s form.<br>


===2. Do not on the words, but on the meaning===
===2. Do not rely on the words, but on the meaning===


Mipham Rinpoche says:<br>
Mipham Rinpoche says:<br>


Whenever you study or contemplate the [[Dharma]],<br>
:Whenever you study or contemplate the [[Dharma]],<br>
Rely not on the words, but on the meaning.<br>
:Rely not on the words, but on the meaning.<br>
If the meaning is understood, then regardless of the speaker’s style,<br>
:If the meaning is understood, then regardless of the speaker’s style,<br>
There will be no conflict.<br>
:There will be no conflict.<br>


When you have understood what it was<br>
:When you have understood what it was<br>
The speaker intended to communicate,<br>
:The speaker intended to communicate,<br>
If you then continue to think about each word and expression,<br>
:If you then continue to think about each word and expression,<br>
It is as if you’ve found your elephant but now go in search of its footprints.<br>
:It is as if you’ve found your elephant but now go in search of its footprints.<br>


If you misinterpret what is said and then think of more words,<br>
:If you misinterpret what is said and then think of more words,<br>
You’ll never stop till you run out of thoughts,<br>
:You’ll never stop till you run out of thoughts,<br>
But all the while you’re only straying further and further from the meaning.<br>
:But all the while you’re only straying further and further from the meaning.<br>
Like children playing, you’ll only end up exhausted.<br>
:Like children playing, you’ll only end up exhausted.<br>


Even for a single word like “and” or “but”,<br>
:Even for a single word like “and” or “but”,<br>
When taken out of context, there’s no end to what it might mean.<br>
:When taken out of context, there’s no end to what it might mean.<br>
Yet if you understand what is meant,<br>
:Yet if you understand what is meant,<br>
Then with that the need for the word is finished.<br>
:Then with that the need for the word is finished.<br>


When the finger points to the moon,<br>
:When the finger points to the moon,<br>
The childish will look at the finger itself.<br>
:The [[childish]] will look at the finger itself.<br>
And fools attached to mere language,<br>
:And fools attached to mere language,<br>
May think they’ve understood, but they will find it difficult.<br>
:May think they’ve understood, but they will find it difficult.<br>


===3. Do not rely on the provisional meaning, but on the definitive meaning===
===3. Do not rely on the provisional meaning, but on the definitive meaning===
Line 69: Line 68:
Mipham Rinpoche says:<br>
Mipham Rinpoche says:<br>


When it comes to the meaning,<br>
:When it comes to the meaning,<br>
You should know what is provisional and what is definitive,<br>
:You should know what is provisional and what is definitive,<br>
And rely not on any provisional meaning,<br>
:And rely not on any provisional meaning,<br>
But only on the meaning that is true definitively.<br>
:But only on the meaning that is true definitively.<br>


The omniscient one himself in all his wisdom,<br>
:The omniscient one himself in all his wisdom,<br>
Taught according to students’ capacities and intentions,<br>
:Taught according to students’ capacities and intentions,<br>
Presenting vehicles of various levels<br>
:Presenting vehicles of various levels<br>
Just like the rungs of a ladder.<br>
:Just like the rungs of a ladder.<br>


Wisely, he spoke with certain intentions in mind,<br>
:Wisely, he spoke with certain intentions in mind,<br>
As with the [[eight kinds of implied and indirect teachings]].<br>
:As with the [[eight kinds of implied and indirect teachings]].<br>
If these were to be taken literally they might be invalidated,<br>
:If these were to be taken literally they might be invalidated,<br>
But they were taught for specific reasons.<br>
:But they were taught for specific reasons.<br>


===4. Do not rely on the ordinary mind, but rely on wisdom===
===4. Do not rely on the ordinary mind, but rely on wisdom===
Line 88: Line 87:
Mipham Rinpoche says:<br>
Mipham Rinpoche says:<br>


When taking the definitive meaning into experience,<br>
:When taking the definitive meaning into experience,<br>
Do not rely upon the ordinary dualistic mind<br>
:Do not rely upon the ordinary dualistic mind<br>
That chases after words and concepts,<br>
:That chases after words and concepts,<br>
But rely upon non-dual wisdom itself.<br>
:But rely upon non-dual wisdom itself.<br>


That which operates with conceptual ideas<br>
:That which operates with conceptual ideas<br>
Is the ordinary mind, whose nature involves perceiver and perceived.<br>
:Is the ordinary mind, whose nature involves perceiver and perceived.<br>
All that is conceived in this way is false<br>
:All that is conceived in this way is false<br>
And will never touch upon the actual nature of reality.<br>
:And will never touch upon the actual nature of reality.<br>


Any idea of real or unreal, both or neither—<br>
:Any idea of real or unreal, both or neither—<br>
Any such concept, however it’s conceived—is still only a concept,<br>
:Any such concept, however it’s conceived—is still only a concept,<br>
And whatever ideas we hold in mind,<br>
:And whatever ideas we hold in mind,<br>
They are still within the domain of [[Mara]].
:They are still within the domain of [[Mara]].


This has been stated in the sutras.<br>
:This has been stated in the sutras.<br>
It is not by any assertion or denial<br>
:It is not by any assertion or denial<br>
That we will put an end to concepts.<br>
:That we will put an end to concepts.<br>
But once we see without rejecting or affirming, there is freedom.<br>
:But once we see without rejecting or affirming, there is freedom.<br>


Although it is without any subject-object grasping,<br>
:Although it is without any subject-object grasping,<br>
There is naturally occurring wisdom that illuminates itself,<br>
:There is naturally occurring wisdom that illuminates itself,<br>
And all ideas of existence, non-existence, both and neither have ceased completely—<br>
:And all ideas of existence, non-existence, both and neither have ceased completely—<br>
This is said to be supreme [[primordial wisdom]].<br>
:This is said to be supreme [[primordial wisdom]].<br>


The definitive meaning can either be understood conceptually, by means of ideas, or it can be experienced directly as the object of non-conceptual awareness wisdom. As long as you are caught up in the conceptual extremes of negation and affirmation, existence and non-existence and so on, you have not gone beyond the realm of the [[ordinary mind]]. When you arrive at the sublime experience of wisdom, and all dualistic ideas have been pacified, you are in harmony with the nature of reality, which is beyond any kind of refutation and establishment or denial and affirmation, and you have reached the true depths of the [[Dharma]].
The definitive meaning can either be understood conceptually, by means of ideas, or it can be experienced directly as the object of non-conceptual awareness wisdom. As long as you are caught up in the conceptual extremes of negation and affirmation, existence and non-existence and so on, you have not gone beyond the realm of the [[ordinary mind]]. When you arrive at the sublime experience of wisdom, and all dualistic ideas have been pacified, you are in harmony with the nature of reality, which is beyond any kind of refutation and establishment or denial and affirmation, and you have reached the true depths of the [[Dharma]].


[[Category: Enumerations]]
==Alternative Translations==
[[Category: Key Terms]]
*Four orientations (Kapstein)
 
==Further Reading==
*[[Dzogchen Ponlop]], ''Rebel Buddha'' (Boston: Shambhala, 2010), pages 165-168.
*[[Mipham Rinpoche]], ''Gateway to Knowledge, vol. IV'', (Hong Kong: Rangjung Yeshe Publications, 2012), Ch.30, pages 123-135.
*[[Philippe Cornu]], ''Manuel de bouddhisme — Philosophie, pratique et histoire. Tome II, Bouddhisme Mahāyāna'' (Editions Rangdröl, 2019), pages 34-36.
*[[Sogyal Rinpoche]], ''[[The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying]]'', page 134.
 
[[Category:Key Terms]]
[[Category:Hermeneutics]]
[[Category:Enumerations]]
[[Category:04-Four]]

Latest revision as of 10:41, 15 October 2021

The four reliances (Skt. catuḥpratisaraṇa; Tib. རྟོན་པ་བཞི་, tönpa shyi, Wyl. rton pa bzhi) —

  1. Rely on the message of the teacher, not on his personality (gang zag la mi rton/ chos la rton);
  2. Rely on the meaning, not just on the words (tshig la mi rton/ don la rton);
  3. Rely on the real meaning, not on the provisional one (drang don la mi rton/ nges don la rton);
  4. Rely on your wisdom mind, not on your ordinary, judgemental mind (rnam shes la mi rton/ ye shes la rton).

These were taught by the Buddha shortly before his passing away in sutras such as the The Teaching of Akshayamati and the Sutra of the Questions of the Naga King Anavatapta. They are commented upon in works such as Asanga's Stages of Spiritual Practice.

Commentary

Mipham Rinpoche says in The Sword of Wisdom:

If you do not have such understanding,
Then, like a blind man leaning on his staff,
You can rely on fame, mere words or what is easy to understand,
And go against the logic of the four reliances.

1. Do not rely on the individual, but on the Dharma

He also says in The Sword of Wisdom:

Therefore do not rely on individuals,
But rely upon the Dharma.
Freedom comes from the genuine path that is taught,
Not the one who teaches it.
When the teachings are well presented,
It does not matter what the speaker is like.
Even the bliss-gone buddhas themselves
Appear as butchers and such like to train disciples.
If he contradicts the meaning of the Mahayana and so on,
Then however eloquent a speaker may seem,
He will bring you no benefit,
Like a demon appearing in a buddha’s form.

2. Do not rely on the words, but on the meaning

Mipham Rinpoche says:

Whenever you study or contemplate the Dharma,
Rely not on the words, but on the meaning.
If the meaning is understood, then regardless of the speaker’s style,
There will be no conflict.
When you have understood what it was
The speaker intended to communicate,
If you then continue to think about each word and expression,
It is as if you’ve found your elephant but now go in search of its footprints.
If you misinterpret what is said and then think of more words,
You’ll never stop till you run out of thoughts,
But all the while you’re only straying further and further from the meaning.
Like children playing, you’ll only end up exhausted.
Even for a single word like “and” or “but”,
When taken out of context, there’s no end to what it might mean.
Yet if you understand what is meant,
Then with that the need for the word is finished.
When the finger points to the moon,
The childish will look at the finger itself.
And fools attached to mere language,
May think they’ve understood, but they will find it difficult.

3. Do not rely on the provisional meaning, but on the definitive meaning

Mipham Rinpoche says:

When it comes to the meaning,
You should know what is provisional and what is definitive,
And rely not on any provisional meaning,
But only on the meaning that is true definitively.
The omniscient one himself in all his wisdom,
Taught according to students’ capacities and intentions,
Presenting vehicles of various levels
Just like the rungs of a ladder.
Wisely, he spoke with certain intentions in mind,
As with the eight kinds of implied and indirect teachings.
If these were to be taken literally they might be invalidated,
But they were taught for specific reasons.

4. Do not rely on the ordinary mind, but rely on wisdom

Mipham Rinpoche says:

When taking the definitive meaning into experience,
Do not rely upon the ordinary dualistic mind
That chases after words and concepts,
But rely upon non-dual wisdom itself.
That which operates with conceptual ideas
Is the ordinary mind, whose nature involves perceiver and perceived.
All that is conceived in this way is false
And will never touch upon the actual nature of reality.
Any idea of real or unreal, both or neither—
Any such concept, however it’s conceived—is still only a concept,
And whatever ideas we hold in mind,
They are still within the domain of Mara.
This has been stated in the sutras.
It is not by any assertion or denial
That we will put an end to concepts.
But once we see without rejecting or affirming, there is freedom.
Although it is without any subject-object grasping,
There is naturally occurring wisdom that illuminates itself,
And all ideas of existence, non-existence, both and neither have ceased completely—
This is said to be supreme primordial wisdom.

The definitive meaning can either be understood conceptually, by means of ideas, or it can be experienced directly as the object of non-conceptual awareness wisdom. As long as you are caught up in the conceptual extremes of negation and affirmation, existence and non-existence and so on, you have not gone beyond the realm of the ordinary mind. When you arrive at the sublime experience of wisdom, and all dualistic ideas have been pacified, you are in harmony with the nature of reality, which is beyond any kind of refutation and establishment or denial and affirmation, and you have reached the true depths of the Dharma.

Alternative Translations

  • Four orientations (Kapstein)

Further Reading