Generally a reference to a person’s spiritual disposition.

Literally, the class, caste or lineage. In this context, it is the basic disposition or propensity of an individual which determines which kind of vehicle (śrāvaka, pratyekabuddha, or bodhisattva) they will follow and therefore which kind of awakening they will obtain. However, in Buddhist literature of the third turning, this same term is used instead as a synonym of buddha-nature (tathāgata­garbha), ie, that all the beings are in fact endowed with the potential or geniture of a buddha’s awakening.

The Tibetan rigs pa is used to translate several Sanskrit terms (which cannot be reconstructed with certainty for this text) with the literal meaning of being connected or coherent, but with contextual meanings ranging from appropriateness or suitability, through correctness, conformity, congruence, to reasoned and rational thinking or argument, and the principles used to validate scriptural statements. In this text the epithet is one of several others paired with “liberated” as criteria for the authenticity of monks, their worthiness to receive offerings, etc. See “knowledge,” “equipped,” “liberated,” and also UT22084-063-001-1011. “Coherent and liberated” is also used (in other texts) as a description of the necessary qualities of the inspired eloquence (pratibhāna, spobs pa) of those qualified to give teachings.

Literally, the class, caste or lineage. In this context, it is the basic disposition or propensity of an individual that determines which kind of vehicle (śrāvaka, pratyekabuddha, or bodhisattva) they will follow and therefore which kind of awakening they will obtain.