Two accumulations

Two accumulations (Skt. saṃbhāradvaya; T. tshogs gnyis ཚོགས་གཉིས་) refers to two types of qualities that are accumulated on the path of the bodhisattva. These are:

• accumulation of merit (puṇya-saṃbhāra) - has a conceptual reference point; this refers to the practice of the first five of the six paramitas, such generosity (dana) and so on.
• accumulation of wisdom (jñāna-saṃbhāra) - has no conceptual reference point; this refers the practice of the paramita of wisdom (prajna-paramita), and to embracing one's practice with the view of emptiness (sunyata)

Alternative Translations

• Two accumulations
• Two equipments (Princeton Dictionary, "List of Lists")
• Two collections
• Twofold spiritual development (Richard Barron)

Further Reading

• Patrul Rinpoche (1998), Words of My Perfect Teacher, translated by Padmakara Translation Group, Altamira Press , Chapter Four, 'I. The Need for the Two Accumulations', pages 283-285.
• Khenpo Ngawang Palzang, A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher (Boston & London: Shambhala, 2004), Chapter Four, 'I. The Need for the Two Accumulations', pages 233-236.
• Venerable Dezhung Rinpoche, The Excellent Path of the Two Accumulations, Gorum Publications, Sakya Losal Choe Dzong, Canberra, June 2000.