Skillful Means

Definitions and use in context:

see also: The Perfection of Wisdom in 8,000 Lines, Chapter XX — Discussion of Skill in Means (RiBa) for teaching/discussion.

Skillful means (thabs la mkhas pa). to be skilled in the means of [RY]

possessed of resources, ready in contrivance [JV]

Ingenuity in application. [RY]

Skillful means and knowledge (thabs dang shes rab). The two main aspects of any practice. In Mahayana practice, they are compassion and insight into emptiness. In Vajrayana practice, they are the stages of development and completion. [RY]

dkyil 'khor yongs dag - the complete purity of the mandala [completely clear basis, especially skillful means of mantrayana; one of the chos bzhi; one of the four special qualities of Mantrayana {gsang sngags kyi thabs mkhas khyad chos bzhi} [IW]

dge ba thabs kis zin - skillful means will permeate your position and actions [RY]

dge rtsa de thabs kyis zin par byed pa - embracing the root of virtue with skillful means [RY]

rgyas - 1) be vigorous, flourish, enrich, thrive, prosper; 2) swell, rise, overflow [rivers/ water], compact, develop, spread, promote, large, increase, extend, expand, bloom, multiply, in full bloom, muscular, vast, extensive, detailed, broad, lush, full, rite of enrichment [Gd], luxuriant, brightened, rise, go up, be well developed/ advanced, increasing [one of the *{phrin las rnam bzhi}* = the four activities]; 3) vast [an attribute of skillful means in contrast to profound which is an attribute of discriminative awareness [gd] [IW]

bsgom pa thabs la brten pa - depending on the skillful means of meditation [IW]

ngang pa - 1) swan, goose, duck; 2) yellow ochre [color])/ [in the manner of a swan who easily associates without a male- female relationship, so is the discipline which associates without ties and the skillful means which causes sentient beings to reach the happiness of liberation through compassion and loving kindness [syn: mkha' lding dkar po dang, grong 'joms, mchu rkang dmar ba, dra ba'i rkang ldan, ma dros gnas, mtso'i bya, yul 'khor 'dzin, lus dkar [Gd-mk] [IW]

sngags kyi khyad par bzhi - four distinctive features of Secret Mantra: unobscured in the area of skillful means {thabs kyi cha la ma rmongs pa} manifold means {thabs mang ba}, without difficulty {dka' ba med pa} and for those of highest acumen {dbang po rnon po'i dbang byas pa} [RY]

sngags gsum - three kinds of mantras. Gnostic mantras {rigs sngags} vidyamantra - dharani mantras {gzungs sngags} and secret mantras {gsang sngags} or guhyamantra. Gnostic mantras are the essence of skillful means, dharanis are the essence of discriminative awareness, and secret mantras are the non-dual pristine cognition [RY]

ce spyang - jackal [syn: ngan g.yo ma, ba lang 'tse, mtsan mo'i ri dvags, wa skyes, ri dvags khram pa, sa myos, slu byed, (like a jackal who likes kill w/o impediment, skillful means liberates heretical thoughts through compassionate view and conduct, and arrays such consciousness in an uncorrupted realm, perfecting the accumulations [IW]

chos kyi rnam grangs - Dharma sections, classification of dharmas, Dharma sections, religious discourse [skillful means in teaching the Doctrine]; Dharma texts [RY]

ting nge 'dzin gsum - the three samadhis, {de bzhin nyid kyi ting nge 'dzin}, suchness samadhi, {kun tu snang ba'i ting nge 'dzin}, all-illuminating samadhi, {rgyu'i ting nge 'dzin}, seed samadhi; Mahayoga: The yoga of great emptiness which is discriminative awareness {shes rab stong pa chen po'i rnal 'byor} the apparition of compassion which is skillful means {thabs snying rje sgyu ma} and the seals which are subtle and coarse {phyag rgya phra rags} [RY]

thab mkhas - skillful means [RY]

thabs -1) method, way, skillful means, [liberative] technique, expedient method, skillful expedient device. 2) together, {dang thabs gcig} together with. 3) abrupt, abruptly {btsan thabs} 4) way, {med thabs med pa} no way without, indispensable. 5) [about color] {nag thabs thibs} 6) opportunity, {bya thabs rnyed} to find an opportunity for action. 7) upaya, expediency, ingenuity. means, skillfulness; way; Means, Skillful Means, method, Upaya [RY]

thabs - upaya, ethically-positive action, efficacy, way, beneficial expediency, method (the instructions of spiritual friends), opportunity, chance, possibility, manner, mode, means, measures, ritualistic observances, means, way, methods particle, skillful means, skillful means [JV]

thabs kyi mkhas pa - capability in skillful means [IW]

thabs kyi nges pa'i lam - definitive path of skillful means [according to Anu Yoga two esoteric instructions of the path of skillful means according to anuyoga book 1, p. 000. [Gd] [IW]

thabs kyi nges pa'i lam - definitive path of skillful means [RY]

thabs kyi nges pa'i lam dang shes rab rnam par grol ba'i lam gnyis - [two Paths, according to anuyoga] the definitive path of skillful means and the liberating path of discriminative aware ness respectively [Gd] [IW]

thabs kyi nges pa'i lam dang shes rab rnam par grol ba'i lam gnyis - * the definitive path of skillful means and the liberating path of discriminative aware ness respectively GD [IW]

thabs kyi cha la ma rmongs pa - Mantras are unobscured in the area of skillful means [RY]

thabs kyi theg pa chen po - great vehicle of skillful means [RY]

thabs kyi spyod pa - the conduct of skillful means [in Anu Yoga ]. One of {spyod pa gsum} [RY]

thabs kyi pha rgyud dang shes rab kyi ma yi rgyud dang zung jug gnyis med kyi rgyud gsum - trio of the Father tantras of skillful means, mother tantras of discriminative awareness and non-dual tantras of coalescence [IW]

thabs kyi lam - path of skillful means [RB]

thabs kyi lam - path of skillful means; see {thabs lam} [RY]

thabs kyis - by means of; by skillful means; skillfully [RY]

thabs kyis zin - {dge ba thabs kyis zin te} embrace the virtue with a skillful means [RY]

thabs kyis zin - = {dge ba --} = embrace virtue with skillful means [IW]

thabs kyis zin par byed pa - to embrace with skillful means [RY]

thabs kyis yang dag zin pa'i shes rab - prajna that embraces reality w skillful means [IW]

thabs kyis yongs su zin pa'i byang chub kyi phyogs dang mthun pa'i chos - completely embracing dharmas which are in accord with the side of enlightenment through skillful means [IW]

thabs khyad par can - possessing particular skillful means [IW]

thabs mkhas - circumspect, ingenious, resourceful, skill[ful], expedient, clever, skilled [in means], ingenious tse, skillful means [IW]

thabs mkhas drag po - wrathful skillful means [JV]

thabs mkhas drug - the six skillful means [IW]

thabs mkhas sbyor ba - sher phyin don bdun cu'i nang gses knowing when it is and is not the time/ juncture to manifest skillful means [IW]

thabs mkhas sbyor ba - timely application of skillful means [IW]

thabs mkhas sbyor ba bcu - the 10 timely applications of skillful means [IW]

thabs mkhas sbyor ba bcu - the 10 applications of skillful means [for bodhisattvas abiding in the threefold purity, or the Ten Wisdoms, 1) bdud bzhi las rgyal ba dang, 2) don dam par mi gnas shing tha snyad du gnas pa, 3) gzhan don sngon gyi smon lam gyi shugs kyis 'phen par byed pa, 4) thun mong ma yin pa, 5) chos thams cad la bden par rang bzhin med pa, 6) bden par mi dmigs pa, 7) mtshan ma med pa, 8) smon pa med pa, 9) phyin ci log bzhi las grol ba'i rtags, and 10) tshad med pa bcas kyi thabs mkhas sbyor ba rnams so. [IW]

thabs gang gis - by whatever skillful means [IW]

thabs rgyud - tantras of skillful means [IW]

thabs rnyed - find skillful means to [IW]

thabs snying rje sgyu ma - means, the magical compassion, apparition of compassion which is skillful means; One of {ting nge 'dzin gsum} [RY]

thabs steng sgo'i man ngag dang 'og sgo'i man ngag gnyis - Esoteric instructions associated w the upper doors/ centres and the lower door/ secret centre of the body respectively [two Esoteric instructions of the path of skillful means in Anu Yoga. {steng sgo} and {'og sgo} [Gd] [IW]

thabs dang ldan pa'i las kyi skabs - a situation of action possessing skillful means [IW]

thabs dang shes rab - prajna and upaya - Means and Knowledge. ["wisdom and skillful means"] [RY]

thabs bde ba chen po dang shes rab stong pa nyid zung du 'brel ba - the union of great bliss as skillful means and emptiness as prajna [IW]

thabs ldan - possessing skillful means [IW]

thabs sbyor - apply skillful means [IW]

thabs ma yin pa rnam par spangs pa - completely abandon unskillful means [IW]

thabs mang - many skillful means [RY]

thabs la mkhas pa'i mdzad pa - ingenious deeds, activity out of skillful means [RY]

thabs la sbyor ba - practice upaya, apply skillful means [IW]

thabs la rab tu slu ba - deceived about skillful means [IW]

thabs lam - 1) plan, strategy, way to do, techniques; 2) path of Mantrayana; 3) [Skt] upaya marga, path of skillful means; 4) transmission [IW]

thabs lam - path of skillful means. [upaya marga] techniques. Syn {thabs shes} transmission [RY]

thabs lam - 1) plan, stategy, way to do, techniques; 2) path of mantrayana; 3) [Skt] upayamarga, path of skillful means; 4) transmission [technical term connected w 3rd abhisheka and karmamudra, arousing bindu] [IW]

thabs lam - resource, path of skillful means, transmission, technique, path of method, 1 of 2 paths of rgyud sde, methods, methods of practice [JV]

thabs lam - path of skillful means [RY]

thabs lam - 1) techniques; 2) mantra path; 3) upayamarga, path of skillful means [technical term connected with 3rd abhisheka/karmamudra transmission, arousing of bindu/thig les [IW]

thabs lam rnam gnyis - two Paths of skillful means [according to Mahayoga. Esoteric instructions associated respectively with the upper doors. or centres of the body {steng sgo} and the lower door. or secret centre of the body {'og sgo}. [Gd-mk] [IW]

thabs shes kyi rdzas - Substances of skillful means and wisdom. Food (bza' ba) has the nature of skillful means (thabs kyi rang bzhin) and drinks (btung ba) have the nature of wisdom (shes rab gyi rang bzhin) [RY]

thabs shes pa - circumspect, ingenious, resourceful, skill[ful], expedient, clever, skilled [in means], ingenious tse, skillful means [IW]

thabs shes pa la mkhas pa - wise in skillful means [IW]

thabs shes tshogs gnyis - two Provisions of skillful means and discriminative awareness - [the provisions through which the enlightened family of inner growth {rgyas 'gyur gyi rigs} - is revealed in and as realization, according to the Supreme continuum of the greater vehicle. [Gd]. the two accumulations of means and knowledge, sm. {tshogs gnyis} [IW]

thabs shes tshogs gnyis - means and knowledge as the two accumulations, two accumulations of means and knowledge, two provisions of skillful means and discriminative awareness. Syn {tshogs gnyis} [RY]

thabs shes tshogs gnyis - two Provisions of skillful means and discriminative awareness [IW]

theg pa chen po - Mahayana. 'Greater vehicle.' When using the term 'greater and lesser vehicles,' Mahayana and Hinayana, Mahayana includes the tantric vehicles while Hinayana is comprised of the teachings for shravakas and pratyekabuddhas. The connotation of 'greater' or 'lesser' refers to the scope of aspiration, the methods applied and the depth of insight. Central to Mahayana practice is the bodhisattva vow to liberate all sentient beings through means and knowledge, compassion and insight into emptiness. Mahayana's two divisions are known as Mind-Only and Middle Way. The sevenfold greatness of Mahayana mentioned in Maitreya's Ornament of the Sutras are explained by Jamgön Kongtrül in his All-encompassing Knowledge: "The greatness of focus on the immense collection of Mahayana teachings, the greatness of the means of accomplishing the welfare of both self and others, the greatness of wisdom that realizes the twofold egolessness, the greatness of diligent endeavor for three incalculable aeons, the greatness of skillful means such as not abandoning samsaric existence and enacting the seven unvirtuous actions of body and speech without disturbing emotions, the greatness of true accomplishment of the ten strengths, the fourfold fearlessness, and the unique qualities of the awakened ones, and the greatness of activity which is spontaneous and unceasing." [RY]

nang pa thabs kyi rgyud kyi theg pa - vehicle of the inner tantras of skillful means [RY]

nang pa thabs kyi theg pa - the inner vehicles of skillful means, [maha, anu and ati yoga], {dbang bsgyur thabs kyi theg pa} [IW]

nang pa thabs kyi theg pa - the inner vehicles of skillful means, [maha, Anu and Ati yoga], {dbang bsgyur thabs kyi theg pa} [RY]

spyod pa gsum - Three Kinds of Conduct, According to Anu Yoga. Consecration or blessing {bying gyis rlob} overpowering {dbang bsgyur} and the conduct of skillful means {thabs kyi spyod pa} [RY]

pha rol tu phyin pa bcu - ten transcendental perfections. The six with the addition of skillful means {thabs} or upaya. aspiration {smon lam} or pranidhana. power {stobs} or bala and pristine cognition {ye shes} or jnana [RY]

phar phyin bcu - {sbyin tshul bzod brtson bsam shes thabs dang, smon lam, ye shes stobs} the perfections of giving, moral practice, patience, effort, meditation, wisdom, and skillful means, aspirations, strength, and pristine awareness [RY]

bya rog - crow, raven crow-like [like a crow who looks for both enemies and plunder at the same time, is the constant renunciation and acceptance of skillful means syn: khva ta dang, 'khrig pa sbed, grong khyer spyod, dga' bas rgyu, brgya byin skyes, 'chi med gtor za, gtor mas rgyas, thos sgrog bdag nyid sgrog bden pa'i ngag mdog gcig pa, rdo rje'i mchu can, na tshod gnas, tsher ma'i tshang can, gzhan gso, rab dga', lan cig skyes. [IW]

bla na med pa ye shes kyi thabs - skillful means of unsurpassed wisdom [IW]

zab - depth, profound. a quality of discriminative awareness when contrasted with skillful means which is vast or extensive rgyas [RY]

ye shes thabs kyi cho 'phrul - wisdom-magic of the skillful means [RY]

rang lus thabs ldan - one's own body as the (sole) source of skillful means (euph. for gtum mo) [RB]

rim pa gnyis - Two Stages of the Path, according to Mahayoga. The path of skillful means {thabs lam} and the path of liberation {grol lam}. the two stages (of the path of Mahayoga). {thabs lam, grol lam} [RY]

bshes gnyen lta bu'i sems bskyed - arouse an attitude like a spiritual friend [one of the 22 kinds of arousing bodhicitta [IW] gsang sngags - secret mantras. Guhyamantra, the Secret Mantrayana, the esoteric teachings, secret religious instruction; secret mantra; Guhyamantra, Mantra. The secret mantras, 'secret and extolled'. The {dgongs pa grub pa'i rgyud} says, "One should know that all mantras are divided into three classes, Gnostic mantras which are the essence of skillful means, dharanis which are the essence of discriminative awareness, and secret mantras which are the non-dual pristine cognition." Thus dharanis originate from the teachings of the Transcendent Perfection of Discriminative Awareness, Gnostic mantras from the Kriya tantra and secret mantras from the Mahayoga, Anu Yoga and Atiyoga. 1) Secret Mantra. 2) seal. 3) the esoteric teachings; the Secret Mantras (Syn. Vajrayana) [RY]