三学自性者 The nature of the three trainings

Lamrim Discussions | 广论研讨
1

Taken from Master Ri-Chang’s Lamrim Commentary Track 84B onwards:

【“应圆满六支，四乐住成就，于四各四行，智慧常清净。”】

Ethical discipline has six branches; Concentration is the four blissful abodes; The four aspects of the four noble truths are always pure sublime wisdoms.

【此中戒学，圆满六支，】

the training in ethical discipline has six branches

  1. 具净尸罗
    the possession of ethical discipline

  2. 守护别解脱律仪
    restraint by the vows of individual liberation

  3. 轨则
    rites

  4. 所行
    “所行”呢，就是我们前面四种资粮当中说正知而行─我该怎么做，哪里去。

  5. 于诸小罪见大怖畏者
    dread of even the smallest misdeed

  6. 受学学处者
    correctly undertaking and training in the fundamental trainings

2

Continuing to 止:

【四心住者，谓四静虑，此于现法安乐住故，名乐成就，是为心学。】

“Four abode” of mind refer to the four meditative stabilizations. It means the training of mind, which is “blissful” because the mind abides blissfully in the lifetime.

Master Ri-Chang describes it:

这四样东西─四禅，通常我们也叫作“离生喜乐、定生喜乐、离喜妙乐、舍念清净地”。

And finally, 观 or 慧学:

【四谓四谛，各四行者，】

The four (where the Sūtra requested by brahma reads “the four aspects of the four”) are the four (noble) truths. The four aspects of these four are the four aspects of each of the four truths.

【苦中无常苦空无我，】

  1. For the truth of suffering: impermanent, suffering, empty, and selfless;

【集中因集生缘，】

  1. For the truth of the origin: cause, origin, arising, and condition;

【灭中灭静妙离，】

  1. For the truth of cessation: cessation, pacification, excellence, and freedom

【道中道如行出，】

  1. For the truth of the path: path correctness, achievement, and deliverance.