Aṣṭābhibhāvāyatana

aṣṭābhibhāvāyatana (T. zil gyis gnon pa'i skye mched brgyad). Translated as "eight dominant ayatanas", "eight spheres of subjugation", "eight surpassing concentrations", etc. One of the twenty-one sets of undefiled qualities. This term refers to using the power of concentration to transform perceptions. It involves training the mind to not get captivated by what appears outwardly.

The Treasury of Precious Qualities states:

The eight dominant ayatanas (zil gyis gnon pa'i skye mched brgyad).

Of these there are four ayatanas that are so called because they control and dominate “shapes.”

(1) Perceiving themselves as embodied, Buddhas have power over all larger physical forms. They know them and see them.

(2) Perceiving themselves as physically embodied, Buddhas have power over smaller physical forms. They know them and see them.

(3) Perceiving themselves as being disembodied, they have power over larger forms.

(4) Perceiving themselves as disembodied, they have power over smaller forms.

Likewise, there are four ayatanas that control color. Perceiving themselves as disembodied, Buddhas have power over the four colors of outer phenomena, knowing them and seeing them. These four ayatanas are related to the (primary) colors of (5) blue, (6) yellow, (7) white, and (8) red.

What is the meaning of these ayatanas? By perceiving themselves as disembodied or as being of indestructible form, Buddhas perceive things that (to us) appear fair or ugly, wholesome or unwholesome—but without subscribing to the reality of such qualitative differences. Thus Buddhas can change big into small and so forth, performing wonders of transformation and production. It is through shamatha that they control and know, and it is through vipashyana that they control and see.

When it is said that the Buddhas perceive themselves as embodied or otherwise, this refers to whether, in the performance of the above mentioned wonders, the Buddhas are visible or invisible to others.

The Khenjuk states:

The [next] category is the eight spheres of subjugation.

The four subjugations of shape include

I-II) two - to subjugate minor external forms and to subjugate major external forms by means of the inner conception of form

III-IV) and two that comprise the inner conceptions of formlessness. The two inner conceptions are as above, while the minor forms are the forms of sentient beings and the major are the forms of the world.

The four subjugations of color are the four: I) subjugation of blue, II) subjugation of yellow, III) subjugation of white and IV) subjugation of red. These are achieved by means of samadhi whereby shapes and colors appear exactly as one visualizes them. In this way one subjugates others and prevents one's mind from being captivated. The four shapes can alternatively be repulsive while the four colors are attractive.

An alternative version of these eight fields is presented here: https://84000.co/translation/toh11#UT22084-031-002-205

Alternative translations

• "eight dominant ayatanas",
• "eight spheres of subjugation",
• "eight surpassing concentrations"
• "eight sense fields of mastery" (84000)
• etc.

Sources

• Jigme Lingpa; Kangyur Rinpoche (2010), Treasury of Precious Qualities, Book One, translated by Padmakara Translation Group, Boston: Shambhala Publications 
• Mipham Rinpoche (2002), Gateway to Knowledge, vol. III, translated by Kunsang, Erik Pema, Rangjung Yeshe Publications