四相

The four (sa) avasthā, or states of all phenomena, i. e. 生住異滅 birth, being, change (i. e. decay), and death; also 四有為相. There are several groups, e. g. 果報四相 birth, age, disease, death. Also 藏識四相 of the <Awakening of Faith> referring to the initiation, continuation, change, and cessation of the (sa) ālaya-vijñāna. Also 我人四相 The ideas:

(1) that there is an ego;

(2) that man is different from other organisms;

(3) that all the living are produced by the (sa) skandhas;

(4) that life is limited to the organism. Also 智境四相 dealing differently with the four last headings 我; 人; 衆生; and 壽相.