Three gateways to liberation

The Three gateways to liberation (Tib. nam tar go sum; Wyl. rnam thar sgo gsum) are features of all phenomena which provide a means to realize their absolute nature. They are:

1. emptiness (Tib. tongpa nyi; Wyl. stong pa nyid)
2. absence of characteristics or attributes (Tib. tsen nyi mépa; Wyl. mtshan nyid med pa)
3. wishlessness, absence of expectancy (Tib. mönpa mépa; Wyl. smon pa med pa)

Alternative Translations

• three gates of emancipation
• three doors of deliverance
• three approaches to liberation
• three avenues/ doorways to liberation
• three doors of perfect liberation (Padmakara in Treasury of Precious Qualities)

Further Reading

• Kangyur Rinpoche, Treasury of Precious Qualities, Boston: Shambhala, 2001, Appendix 10, pp. 347-8

External Links

• The Excellent Path of the Great Vehicle: How to Meditate on the Three Gateways to Liberation According to the Mahayana by Rongtön Sheja Kunrig