Parting From The Four Attachments

[Mani]

Lately, I have been studying and reflecting upon teachings based on the very short "pith" instructions that come from the Sakya tradition. These four verses are called "Parting From The Four Attachments".

They are...

1) "If you have attachment to this life, you are not a true Dharma practitioner."

2) "If you are attached to Samsara, you have no renunciation."

3) "If you are attached to your own self interest, you are not a Bodhisattva."

4) "If you have grasping, you have no view."

This is actually a pretty profound teaching, and is usually taught based on the commentary by Drakpa Gyaltsen.


I think most of us don't need to go beyond the first point, and I know for myself whenever any thoughts of pride develop, or I find myself in the midst of emotion or worldly concerns, I remember the first point. Sometimes it helps to have some blatantly honest statements pointed out to us to serve as motivation, and a reminder of why many of us practice in the first place. Do I have attachment to this life and it's worldly concerns? A lot of times these things get lost in the mix. This is probably in stark comparison to the way we often view ourselves and our practice.



Comment welcome...

[Aloka]

"Parting From The Four Attachments" was said to have been spoken by the deity Manjushri:


http://www.rigpawiki.org/index.php?title=Parting_from_the_Four_Attachments

[plogsties]

deity
What does this word mean in the context of Buddhism? My understanding is that there is no such entity, only people who have discovered the path and the associated wisdom. Does it mean Arahant?

[Aloka]

Does it mean Arahant?

No. Manjushri belongs to Mahayana/ Vajrayana Buddhism and is not mentioned in the Pali Canon or connected with Theravada Buddhism.


http://www.thefullwiki.org/Manjusri

[Ngawang Drolma]

Lately, I have been studying and reflecting upon teachings based on the very short "pith" instructions that come from the Sakya tradition. These four verses are called "Parting From The Four Attachments".

They are...

1) "If you have attachment to this life, you are not a true Dharma practitioner."

2) "If you are attached to Samsara, you have no renunciation."

3) "If you are attached to your own self interest, you are not a Bodhisattva."

4) "If you have grasping, you have no view."

This is actually a pretty profound teaching, and is usually taught based on the commentary by Drakpa Gyaltsen.


I think most of us don't need to go beyond the first point, and I know for myself whenever any thoughts of pride develop, or I find myself in the midst of emotion or worldly concerns, I remember the first point. Sometimes it helps to have some blatantly honest statements pointed out to us to serve as motivation, and a reminder of why many of us practice in the first place. Do I have attachment to this life and it's worldly concerns? A lot of times these things get lost in the mix. This is probably in stark comparison to the way we often view ourselves and our practice.



Comment welcome...




I can't comment further, just deep bows here :)

Best,
Laura

[Mani]

Nice to see you here, N.D.!

:hands:

[Ngawang Drolma]

You too Mani, thanks! :up2: