Parting from the Four Attachments

that contains all the deep meanings of all the Sutras combined in a

practical way, is known as the Mind Training or Pith Instructions,

presented by the great masters in the most practical way through

their own experience. The history of this teaching is this. When

the great Lama Sakyapa was twelve years old, his spiritual master

suggested that since he was the son of a great spiritual master he

should study the teaching; however, in order to study the teaching

he needed first to acquire wisdom. In order to acquire wisdom, he

had to practise Manjushri, the manifestation of all the Buddhas'

wisdom. Sakyapa's spiritual master, Pari Lotsawa, one of the greatest

translators, gave him the initiation of Manjushri and all the

teachings related to Manjushri and then asked his disciple to do

a meditation retreat. After completing six months of meditation,

one day in his pure vision he saw Manjushri in person sitting on a

jewel throne, his hands in the teaching mudra, with two Bodhisattva

attendants, one on each side. Then the main deity Manjushri

gave this teaching, which is made up of four lines:

If you have attachment to this life, you are not a religious person.

If you have attachment to the world of existence, you do not have

renunciation.

If you have attachment to your own purpose, you have no Enlightenment

Thought (Bodhicitta).

If grasping arises, you do not have the view.

All the paths of the Sutrayana are included in these four lines.