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Dictionary of Key Spiritual Terms


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Wylie | Tibetan

nature

  1. rang bzhin/ 

    Biblical: nature, natural disposition: phyi pa tshos rang bzhin gyis bka' khrims kyi las byed tshe/  when the Gentiles do by nature the works of the law (Rom. 2:14), rang bzhin mi mthun pa/  contrary to nature (Rom. 11:24), chad pa rang bzhin gyis phog 'os pa yin/  by nature objects of wrath (Eph. 2:3).

    Buddhist: rang bzhin/  is said to be the same as rang gshis/  (see below). 1) happening according to natural laws; natural as opposed to artificial: rang bzhin kyi rkyen ngan/  natural disasters (DLP 8), nga tsho nang pa'i chos kyi bshad pa ltar na/,,'dzam gling tshang ma rang bzhin gyi 'byung pa yin pa bshad do/  according to Buddhism, the whole world arose by itself naturally (DPD); 2) essence, inherent characteristic: 'gyur ldog byed pa'i rang bzhin yin pa la skad cig ma'am mi rtag pa zer gyi yod pa red/  this nature of change is called subtle impermanence (TRC 94), sdug bsngal gyi rang bzhin/  the nature of suffering (TRC 218); rang bzhin gyi kha na ma tho ba/  deeds which are naturally wrong even though not specifically prohibited by religious law (TRI 256); 3) character, disposition: rang bzhin bzang po/  a pure nature (KTM), snying rje'i rang bzhin ldan pa rnams/  compassionate people (DLP 1), mi rigs kyi rang bzhin ldan pa'i rig gzhung /  peoples' natural or indigenous cultures (DLP 2), rang bzhin gyis grub pa/  inherent existence; the real existence of objects (TRI 256) [the belief that objects actually exist independently of our perception of them is vigorously rejected by Bsm.]

  2. gshis/ 

    or rang gshis/ 

    Biblical: nature, natural characteristic: 'jig rten pa'i gshis lugs sod/  earthly nature (Col. 3:5), dkon mchog gi lugs kyi gshis/  the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4), de tsho'i bud med tshos rang gshis kyi spyod pa spangs te gshis min gyi spyod pa spyad do/  their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones (Rom. 1:26).

    Buddhist: 1) naturally occurring: rtog bral gshis la bzhag na/  if you leave the mind in its natural state (HTE 200); 2) character, nature, or disposition (AMD): gshis bzang /  a pure disposition (KTM).

    Cognates: 1) gnam gshis/  climate, weather (DLP 12); 2) sgom gshis/  custom: lha sa'i yul mi rnams kyi dmigs bsal gyi goms gshis/  the special custom of Lhasa people (SLR 13).

  3. bdag 'dzin/ 

    [lit. self + grasping]

    Biblical: used in the RV for "sinful nature": bdag 'dzin gyi 'dod pa/  the desires of the sinful nature (Gal. 5:16), bdag 'dzin la skabs ma btang /  do not indulge [lit: give occasion to] the sinful nature (Gal. 5:13).

    Buddhist: 1) selfishness (AMD): bdag 'dzin zhen pa bcad na dga'/  it's better if you end possessive grasping (HTE 204); 2) belief in the existence of a self or soul: 'khor ba'i sdug bsngal kyi rgyu nyon mongs pa rnams kyi rtsab mthar thug pa ni bdag 'dzin yin/  the ultimate root of the passions, which are the cause of the misery of the round of existence, is the apprehension of a self (TRC 96), nyon mongs kyi rtsa ba bdag 'dzin de med par bzo dgos pa/  it is necessary to destroy the sense of self which is the root of the passions [attachment, hatred, greed, etc.] (TRC 185). The Bst. belief is bdag med/  no self.

  4. 'byung bzhi/ 

    [lit. four elements]

    Biblical: natural in the sense of physically natural: 'byung bzhi'i lus/  a natural body (1 Cor. 15:44), 'byung bzhi dang ldan pa'i lus/  the natural body (1 Cor. 15:46).

    Buddhist: The four elements are sa/  earth, chu/  water, me/  fire, rlung /  wind. Sometimes nam mkha'/  space, and rnam shes/  consciousness, are added (TRI 194). me la sogs pa'i 'byung bzhis/  fire and the other elements (TRC 167).