Toh 4143Teaching on the Practice of the Austerities, from “The Path to Liberation”

Explication of the Scripture: “Teaching on the Practice of the Austerities”

Background

This teaching is excerpted from the work “The Path to Liberation” (Vimuktimārga), one of the canonical works of the Mahayana tradition recorded in the Tengyur—the collection of treatises in Tibetan Buddhism. This work guides practitioners along the path leading to nirvana, emphasizing rigorous cultivation and discipline in the practice of the Dharma.

In the context of the Northern Mahayana tradition, the concept of “ascetic qualities” (dhūtaguṇa) does not mean self-mortification but the voluntary renunciation of luxuries so that the mind does not become immersed in attachment. It is a means of practice that helps practitioners cleanse themselves of mental defilements (āśrava), thereby opening the way to awakening.

Main Content

The scripture teaches that, to advance along the path to liberation, practitioners must cultivate the ascetic qualities. Specifically, this means voluntarily relinquishing things that preoccupy and bind the mind—such as excess possessions, indulgent food and drink, and ostentatious ornaments. This is done not out of hatred for such things, but from clearly recognizing them as obstacles on the path in search of the Way.

The teaching emphasizes that ascetic practice is an expression of wisdom (prajñā), not meaningless self-mortification. It helps the mind become unburdened and light, making it easier to concentrate in meditation and penetrate more deeply into the true Dharma. When material things no longer occupy the mind, practitioners can devote their entire awareness to cultivating immeasurable compassion (mahākaruṇā) and true knowledge (tattva-jñāna).

What is distinctive in the Northern Mahayana tradition is that ascetic practice is not an end in itself, but a foundation for developing bodhisattva conduct—the spirit of willingly relinquishing one’s own body and vitality to liberate sentient beings. Therefore, these ascetic qualities are regarded as preparation for fulfilling the bodhisattva aspiration.