Six limits 詮解六義（密續奧義應依六義 Six Limits 次第廣解文意，並依四法 Four Modes 詮釋詳解字句，方能通達）

The tantric teachings have meanings on many levels, so to unlock the accurate meaning of a tantra we must follow a series of methods which are known as the six limits and four modes. These ten approaches taken all together will bring out the perfect, accurate meaning of the tantra.

The six limits apply to how we understand the text as a whole and the four modes relate directly to the interpretation of each word and line.

Six limits (Skt. Ṣaṭkoṭi; Wyl. mtha' drug) are:

1. provisional meaning (drang don can yin pa)
2. definitive meaning (drang don can min pa)
3. indirect (dgongs pa can yin pa)
4. not indirect (dgongs pa can min pa)
5. literally true (sgra ji bzhin can yin pa)
6. not literally true (sgra ji bzhin can min pa)

Alternative Translations

• Six parameters (Thurman)

Further Reading

• Robert Thurman. 'Vajra Hermeneutics' in Donald S. Lopez (ed.), Buddhist Hermeneutics. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, 1993
• Appendix 1. The Six Limits & Four Modes pp.161-166 in The Light of Wisdom Volume 1. Root text by Padmasambhava and commentary by Jamgön Kongtrül the Great, and notes by Jokyab Rinpoche based on Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo's oral teachings. The Appendix one come from Jokyab's notes. Published by Shambhala Publications ISBN 0-87773-566-2
• Khenpo Palden Sherab & Khenpo Tsewang Dongyal, Tara's Enlightened Activity: an oral commentary on the Twenty-one Praises to Tara. Pages 35-37. ISBN 9781559392877

Internal Links

• Lamrim Yeshe Nyingpo
• Four modes