Significance of Three gates
The keyphrase "Three gates" holds different meanings across various texts. In Purana, it symbolizes the grand entry points through which Shri Vasishtha approaches Shri Rama's palace, highlighting royal opulence. In Mahayana, "Three gates" refers to the pathways to nirvana, encompassing emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness. Additionally, it represents the respectful means to honor the three jewels via body, speech, and mind, and serves as entrances into a royal city adorned with valuable materials, reflecting its wealth and importance.
In Dutch: Drie poorten; In Finnish: Kolme porttia
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Three gates'
The "Three gates" in Buddhism symbolize entry points to nirvana via emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness. They also reflect respect for the three jewels and represent significant entrances to a spiritually rich kingdom.
From: The Great Chariot
(1) Refers to the body, speech, and mind, which must be at ease for shamatha to be established.[1] (2) The combined conduct of body, speech, and mind, which students must cultivate under the guidance of the guru.[2] (3) Representing the actions of body, speech, and mind, through which spiritual friends are noted to be more noble than others.[3] (4) The three gates are aspects of understanding that become confused within the context of samsara.[4] (5) Refers to aspects of experience that are easily liberated when one reaches a certain state of awareness.[5]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) Entranceways into the royal city made of precious materials, showcasing the wealth and significance of the kingdom.[6]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) The means through which one offers respects to the three jewels: through body, speech, and mind.[7]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The three gates of nirvana are emptiness, signlessness, and wishlessness that provide access to it.[8]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) Metaphorical references pertaining to the unwholesome aspects of life that cannot be cleansed by divine beings.[9]
Hindu concept of 'Three gates'
In Hinduism, the "Three gates" symbolize the majestic entryways leading Shri Vasishtha to Shri Rama's palace, reflecting the significance and opulence of royal thresholds in spiritual and cultural contexts.
From: Ramayana of Valmiki
(1) The three gates are the entry points through which Shri Vasishtha approaches Shri Rama's palace, indicating the grandeur of the royal entrance.[10]