nges 'byed cha mthun

"watershed" factors [of the path of application] that differentiate it [from the path of ordinary beings] and accord with [the path of spiritually superior individuals; Aids to Penetration, partial concordance with definite differentiation [RY]

aids to penetration, partial concordance with definite differentiation [IW]

concordant with the definite differentiations [JV]

decisive (and anticipatory) phase; decisive phase [of the path of application] that accords with/ presages/ anticipates [the path of seeing], which constitutes a decisive breakthrough [that represents a shift from the - path of ordinary mortal individuals to that of spiritually superior individuals]; isc. "watershed" experiences [RB]

Aids to penetration, partial concordance with definite differentiation [so so skye bo las nges par 'byed pa 'phags pa'i lam gyi cha mthong lam skye ba dang rjes su mthun pa'o [IW]

sbyor lam pa'i dge ba ni nges par 'byed pa mthong lam gyi rgyu yin pas nges 'byed cha mthun 'aid to ascertainment' is the virtue of the path of joining because it is the cause of ascertaining the path of seeing. [RY]

Discussion

The four "partial concordances with certain discernment" or "aids to penetration" are equivalent to the path of joining.

Prince Yasomitra describes this term as follows: "How is it certain discernment? you ask. Reply: Because this discards doubt. It is coming to certainty that of the truths, 'This is suffering' up to 'This is the path' and discerns this, so it is called certain discernment. This is the Noble path. Its part is one aspect of the path of seeing, since it leads to that, because by causing it to arise it benefits it. Therefore it is called partial concordance with certain discernment."

This term is often translated as "partial concordance with definite distinction," but it is preferable to say "certain distinction" because it matches Lord Mikyo Dorje's description of the etymology as given in rje btsun ngal gso better: Mikyo Dorje describes the word nges pa here as referring to the direct recognition of the dharma nature on the Path of Seeing. One can accomodate this with the word "certain" but not with the word "definite."

Whether one translates this as definite distinction or certain distinction, however, in either case the translation is excessively literal, clumsy, and long. English speakers do not often use the word "concordance" and so it smacks of jargon.

Some translators use the translation "aids to penetration" which avoids the above faults, but it does not directly match the etymology of the Sanskrit or Tibetan. Without understanding where this translation comes from I am hesitant to use it; anyone who knows its origin please fill in here. DKC