Four sustenances

The four sustenances (Skt. āhāra; Wyl. zas bzhi) are:

1. material sustenance (Skt. kavad kārāhāra; Wyl. khams gyi zas), which is necessary for sustaining the body;
2. sustenance of touch (Skt. sparśāhāra; Wyl. reg pa'i zas), which is the sense of mental satisfaction that one experiences when a desire is fulfilled;
3. sustenance of intention (Skt. manahsarii cetanāhāra; Wyl. [yid la] sems pa'i zas), which is an action that impels the next lifetime; and
4. sustenance of consciousness (Skt. vijñānāhāra ; Wyl. rnam shes kyi zas).

Alternative Translations

• Four types of nutriment (Donald Lopez)