shes bya rten 'brel dang mthun par smra ba

Those who speak in accordance with interdependent knowable objects TBD

Those who describe knowable objects in a way that accords with interdependence TBD

Discussion

This phrase is used liberally in certain sections of the Eighth and Ninth Karmapas' commentaries on the Madhyamakavatara. It seems to refer to the Followers of the Middle Way (dbu ma pa) when speaking from others' perspective or to worldly people. Its opposite, shes bya rten 'brel dang mi mthun par smra ba, seems to be used to refer to the lower philosophical systems of Buddhism--mdo sde pa, bye brag smra ba, and sems tsam pa, along with the rang rgyud pa classification of dbu ma. TBD