Threefold training

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Translations of Threefold training
English	threefold training, three trainings, three higher trainings
Pali	tri-sikkhā
Sanskrit	tri-śikṣa
Tibetan	ལྷག་པའི་བསླབ་པ་གསུམ་ (lhagpé labpa sum, Wyl. lhag pa'i bslab pa gsum)

The threefold training (Sanskrit: tri-śikṣa; Pali:tri-sikkhā) refers to training in:

• Higher virtue (Sanskrit: adhiśīlaśikṣa; Pali: adhi-sīla-sikkhā)
• Higher meditation (Sanskrit: samādhiśikṣa; Pali: adhi-citta-sikkhā)
• Higher wisdom (Sanskrit: prajñāśikṣa; Pali: adhi-paññā-sikkhā)

In the Pali Canon

According to Theravada canonical texts, pursuing this training leads to the abandonment of lust, hatred and delusion. One who is fully accomplished in this training attains Nibbana.

In the Anguttara Nikaya, training in "higher virtue" includes following the Patimokkha, training in "higher mind" (sometimes simply referred to as "concentration") includes entering and dwelling in the four jhanas, and training in "higher wisdom" includes directly perceiving the Four Noble Truths.

In several canonical discourses, a more "gradual" instruction (anupubbikathā) is provided to receptive lay people (see also, gradual training). This latter instruction culminates in the teaching of the Four Noble Truths which in itself concludes with the Noble Eightfold Path, the constituents of which can be mapped to this threefold training (see below).

Similarity to threefold partition of the Noble Eightfold Path

The Buddha's threefold training is similar to the threefold grouping of the Noble Eightfold Path articulated by Bhikkhuni Dhammadinna in Culavedalla Sutta ("The Shorter Set of Questions-And-Answers Discourse," MN 44): virtue (sīlakkhandha), concentration (samādhikkhandha), wisdom (paññākkhandha ). These three-part schemes simplify and organize the Eightfold Path as follows:

Threefold Partition	Eightfold Path
VIRTUE	Right Speech
	Right Action
	Right Livelihood
MIND	Right Effort
	Right Mindfulness
	Right Concentration
WISDOM	Right View
	Right Intention

Group	Eightfold Path	Method of Practice
VIRTUE	Right Speech	Five Laymen Vows
	Right Action
	Right Livelihood
MIND	Right Effort	Dwelling in the four jhanas (meditation)
	Right Mindfulness
	Right Concentration
WISDOM	Right View	Knowing Four Noble Truths
	Right Intention

Source

• Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi (trans. and ed.) (1999). Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: An Anthology of Suttas from the Anguttara Nikaya. Walnut Creek, CA: Altamira Press. ISBN 0-7425-0405-0.
• Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (1998a). AN 3.88: Sikkha Sutta - Trainings (1). Available on-line at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.088.than.html.
• Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (1998b). AN 3.89: Sikkha Sutta - Trainings (2). Available on-line at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.089.than.html.
• Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (1998c). MN 44: Culavedalla Sutta: The Shorter Set of Questions-and-Answers. Available on-line at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.044.than.html.

External links

• English translation and romanized Pali transliteration of the Anguttara Nikaya's Book of Threes' Monk (samana) chapter, including AN 3:82 to 3:92 (metta.lk)
• "Threefold Training", talk by Mahasi Sayadaw.

Videos

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• Search YouTube for: Threefold training Buddhism

Selected videos:

• The Three Practices of Morality, Meditation and Wisdom

  Description: Mingyur Rinpoche talks about the three practices: morality, meditation and wisdom. Rinpoche explains that the first practice, morality, means we should behave ethically. Through meditation, the second practice, we can achieve enlightenment. And we can see the real nature of reality through the third practice, wisdom.