The main topic of this sūtra; known also in Tibetan by the synonym bka’ rtags kyi phyag rgya bzhi (“the four seals of the [Buddha’s] teaching”), in Sanskrit caturmudrā (“the four seals”) or dṛṣṭi­nimitta­mudrā (“the seals that are the marks of the [Buddhist] view”).

A synonym for the “four aphorisms of the Dharma,” q.v. Often seen in Tibetan in the expanded form bka’ rtags kyi phyag rgya bzhi (“the four seals of the [Buddha’s] teaching”), the nearest Sanskrit equivalent being dṛṣṭi­nimitta­mudrā (“the seals that are the marks of the [Buddhist] view”).

The impermanence of all conditioned phenomena, the suffering inherent to all conditioned phenomena, the selflessness of all phenomena, and nirvāṇa as the state of peace.

All conditioned phenomena are impermanent; all defilements are suffering; all phenomena are without self; nirvāṇa is peace.

“All conditioned things are impermanent; all conditioned things are suffering; all phenomena are selfless; and nirvāṇa is peace.”