Means for Attainment

Means for Attainment (sgrub thabs)

• The literature of the Buddhist tantras is classified into tantra-texts and means for attainment (Skt. sādhana). The former are general expositions concerning the continua of the ground, path and result associated with a particular maṇḍala of deities, while the latter are specific blueprints derived from and inspired by the former as the detailed means for attainment of a specific maṇḍala of deities. Such practices have four integral phases, which are often known as the four aspects of ritual service and means for attainment (bsnyen sgrub yan lag bzhi). GD (from the Glossary to Tibetan Elemental Divination Paintings)