By Sakya Pandita Kunga Gyaltsen
To the feet of the Holy Guru, I bow! Generally, having obtained
a body of leisure and fortune and met with the precious teaching of the Buddha; giving rise to an unfabricated mind with
the aim of practicing the unmistaken Holy Dharma, should practice the 'Separation from the Four Attachments.' If
asked what that is; non-attachment to this life; non-attachment to the Three Realms of Existence; non-attachment to
self-purpose; non-attachment to phenomena and characteristics. To explain that; this life is like a water bubble and the
time of death is indefinite, it is not worth having attachment. The Three Realms of Existence are like poisonous fruit,
superficially delicious, eventually inflicting harm; having attachment to them is deluded. Attachment to self-purpose is
like cherishing the son of an enemy; though superficial joy may appear to be like joy, eventually it will certainly inflict
harm. Even the superficial happiness from attachment to self-purpose certainly will eventually lead to a bad rebirth.
Manifestly attached to phenomena and characteristics is like grasping for water in a mirage; though a superficial
appearance of water, there is no substance to be drunk. This Existence, appearing to a deluded mind, when examined
with wisdom no entities are found to exist. Knowing not to rest the mind in the past, not to rest the mind in the future,
not resting the consciousness in the present; know all dharmas to be free of elaboration. Practicing like that, with
non-attachment to just this life there will be no bad rebirths; non-attachment to the Three Realms - not born in
Existence; non-attachment to self-purpose - not born as a shravaka/pratyekabuddha; non-attachment to phenomena
and characteristics - to quickly manifest Complete Perfection.
(The instructions on the 'Separation from the Four
Attachments,' the unmistaken heart intention of Pal Sakyapa Chenpo, written by Sakya Pandita).
