Although other ( yānas ) assert that liberation will be…
““Although other ( yānas ) assert that liberation will be achieved by renouncing the objects, one will not be bound by the mere appearances or the mind and the objects ( Yul Dang Ch'os-Su sNang-Ba ), but will be bound if one attaches ( Zhen-Pa ) to them. So it is taught (in scriptures) that one should renounce apprehension and attachment. Tilopā said: 'Appearances do not bind, but attachments do. So, Nāropa , cut off the attachments…””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Liberation arises not from denying phenomena but from releasing attachment to them; clinging creates bondage, while seeing appearances as empty frees the mind.
In simple terms: Freedom comes from letting go, not from rejecting reality.
Key Takeaway
Attachment, not appearance, binds consciousness.
Themes
non-attachment
emptiness
mindfulness
spiritual liberation
Buddhist philosophy
Mood
contemplative
detached
hopeful
Type
aphoristic
didactic
When to use this quote
- meditative practice
- ethical decision‑making
- personal relationships
- grief processing
- creative work
Key Concepts
attachment
appearance
renunciation
liberation
Practical Applications
- Therapeutic counseling
- Mindfulness training
Questions to Reflect On
- How does clinging shape suffering?
- What practices help dissolve attachment?