Skillful means

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Term	Definition
Skillful means	(skt.: upaya; tib.: thabs) Skillful means are efficacious skills or expedient methods, which enable a Buddha or Bodhisattva to help sentient beings in the best possible way (according to the capacities, circumstances and the needs of each sentient being). The path of Skillful Means or Method, parallel with the path of Wisdom, paves the Path of the Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattvabumi-Shastra specifies that there are two sets of skillful means. With the first set Bodhisattvas accomplish the qualities of Buddhahood. Thanks to the second group, Bodhisattvas bring beings to maturation. Chandrakirti said in the Madhyamakavatara: Conventional reality therefore becomes their means and by this means, the ultimate is reached.

Term

Definition

(skt.: upaya; tib.: thabs) Skillful means are efficacious skills or expedient methods, which enable a Buddha or Bodhisattva to help sentient beings in the best possible way (according to the capacities, circumstances and the needs of each sentient being). The path of Skillful Means or Method, parallel with the path of Wisdom, paves the Path of the Bodhisattva. The Bodhisattvabumi-Shastra specifies that there are two sets of skillful means. With the first set Bodhisattvas accomplish the qualities of Buddhahood. Thanks to the second group, Bodhisattvas bring beings to maturation. Chandrakirti said in the Madhyamakavatara: Conventional reality therefore becomes their means and by this means, the ultimate is reached.

Language

Words of Wisdom

"Like me, the countless living beings have been wandering in cyclic existence. Many times they have been a parent to me and shone radiant kindness upon me. How unworthy not to respond to their sorrow. For the sake of all living beings we must strive in the practices bringing Enlightenment."

- 1st Dalai Lama