Question

Which are the four Pratiśaraṇas ?
• A. Vijñānapratiśaraṇatā na Arthapratiśaraṇatā
• B. Dharmapratiśaraṇatā na pudgalaśaraṇatā
• C. Jñānapratiśaraṇatā na Vyañjanapratiśaraṇatā
• D. Arthapratiśaraṇatā na Vyañjanapratiśaraṇatā
• E. Saṅghapratiśaraṇatā na Padmaśaraṇatā Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. B and C only
• B. B and D only
• C. A and E only
• D. C and D only

Hint:

The Four Reliances always emphasize “essence over appearance”:
• Dharma over Person
• Meaning over Words
• Definitive meaning over Provisional meaning
• Wisdom over Consciousness

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: The Catur-pratiśaraṇa (Four Reliances) are extremely important interpretative principles in Buddhist philosophy. These principles guide practitioners in understanding the true essence of Dharma and avoiding attachment to superficial aspects such as personalities or literal wording. They are widely discussed in Mahāyāna literature and Buddhist hermeneutics.

Step 1: Understanding the meaning of Pratiśaraṇa. The Sanskrit word Pratiśaraṇa means “that upon which one should rely.” The Four Reliances instruct Buddhists regarding the proper basis of spiritual understanding and scriptural interpretation. The canonical Four Reliances are:
• Rely on the Dharma, not on the person.
• Rely on the Meaning, not on the mere words.
• Rely on the Definitive meaning, not on the interpretable meaning.
• Rely on Wisdom (Jñāna), not on ordinary consciousness (Vijñāna).

Step 2: Checking each statement carefully.
• B. Dharmapratiśaraṇatā na pudgalaśaraṇatā This exactly matches the first reliance: “Depend upon Dharma, not upon the individual person.” Therefore, statement B is correct.
• D. Arthapratiśaraṇatā na Vyañjanapratiśaraṇatā This exactly matches the second reliance: “Depend upon meaning, not merely upon words or expressions.” Therefore, statement D is correct.
• A. Vijñānapratiśaraṇatā na Arthapratiśaraṇatā This is incorrect because Buddhism teaches reliance on Jñāna over Vijñāna, not the reverse.
• C. Jñānapratiśaraṇatā na Vyañjanapratiśaraṇatā This combines unrelated terms incorrectly. The correct contrast is Jñāna vs Vijñāna.
• E. Saṅghapratiśaraṇatā na Padmaśaraṇatā This statement is not part of the Four Reliances at all.

Step 3: Deriving the final answer. Only statements B and D correctly represent authentic Pratiśaraṇas. Hence, the correct option is: \[ \boxed{(2)\ \text{B and D only}} \]