Definitive meaning
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Definitive meaning (Skt. nītārtha; Tib. ངེས་དོན་, Wyl. nges don) — the teachings of the Buddha may be divided into those of provisional meaning and those of definitive meaning.
Distinguishing the definitive meaning from the provisional meaning is an important way in which Buddhist commentators convey a unified interpretation of the different teachings in scriptures that sometimes have contradictory literal meanings. The definitive meaning is the true meaning, the ultimate truth, in contrast to what is simply taught for a provisional purpose, as a temporary means to understand the deeper import of the ultimate truth.[1]
Footnotes
- ↑ Jamgön Mipham, His Life and Work by Douglas Duckworth. Shambhala Publications ISBN 978-1-59030-669-7. See page 143.
Further Reading
- Jamgön Mipham, His Life and Work by Douglas Duckworth. Shambhala Publications ISBN 978-1-59030-669-7.
- Mipam on Buddha-nature: the Ground of the Nyingma Tradition, by Douglas S. Duckworth, ISBN 978-0-7914-7512-8.
- The Central Philosophy of Tibet – A Study and Translation of Jey Tsong Khapa's 'Essence of True Eloquence', Robert A. F. Thurman, pp.116-126. ISBN 0-691-02067-1.
- The Great Treatise on the Stages of the Path to Enlightenment, Volume 3 by Tsoṅgkhapa, pp.112-114, Lam Rim Chenmo Translation Committee, published by Snow Lion Publications, ISBN 1-55939-166-9.
See Also
- Eight kinds of implied and indirect teachings
- Four reliances
- Six limits
- Four modes
- Expedient and definitive meaning