The Sixth Stage
Part 8
Introduction
Stages of the Mahayana Bodhisattva Path are similar to the Theravada idea of the Noble Eight-fold Path, although not the same in the order of the stages, as well as the aim of the various stages that comprise the total trajectory that the Bodhisattva has to traverse. The idea of the Bodhisattva path is linked to the idea of bodhicitta, the aspiration of becoming enlightened, and this aim is for the benefit of all sentient beings—when compared to the Arahant idea it is distinguished by the fact, that the Bodhisattva holds off on attaining final non-returning Nirvana until all sentient beings are brought along the journey of the Bodhisattva path towards Enlightenment.
Resources
Various Mahayana texts discuss the stages of the path in varying detail and order. For this eighth article in the series, I’ve mainly followed the stages of the Path as explained in the Dasa Bhumika Sutra. Dasa bhumika in Sanskrit means ten stages. I’ve also consulted the abhidharmsamuccaya text of Asanga, the prajna-paramita abhi-samaya-lankara, and the Mahavastu, that provide additional information for the stages, as well as the Mahayana-sutralamkara text. The Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Ornament Scripture) has great details on the 10 stages of the path as well, including the Gandavyuha commentary. For cross-reference purposes I’ve used the yogacarabhumi text, which incorporates the bodhisattva stages into an even greater 17 stages, to verify Sanskrit terminology.
In this article, I’ll cover the sixth stage of the 10 Stages of the Mahayana Bodhisattva Path.
Why is a bodhisattva’s commitment different from a 1. stream-enterer, 2. once-returner, and 3. non-returner?
1. Because the stream is imperfect as regards to the practice of the Mahayana path of knowledge of the emptiness of all conditioned and unconditioned dharmas.
2. Because, after having thought carefully, he has accepted an unlimited number of rebirths to come back and help others on the path.
3. Because, after having dwelled in the meditative absorptions, he deliberately goes for birth in the realm of desire [where helping others happens].
Summary
Stage 6. At the Doorstep of Enlightenment stage (abhimukhi bhumi)
The sixth stage is at the Doorstep of Enlightenment, because the Bodhisattva is so close! The Bodhisattva understands the nature of dependent origination for all ordinary entities and objects (pratitya samutpanna). The Bodhisattva’s mind is now filled with the perfection of wisdom (prajna paramita) in conjunction with the realization of emptiness (sunyata).
In detail
The sixth stage is called abhimukhi, because in this stage the Bodhisattva, by means of the perfection of wisdom (prajna-paramita), is face-to-face with Samsara and Nirvana, without being established in either Samsara or Nirvana [as it is still a duality].
After completing the first five stages, the Bodhisattva continues the fourth type of purification and perfection. In the first stage, determination was purified, in the second stage discipline and moral virtue was purified, in the third stage concentration was purified, and in the fourth to sixth stage onward the purification and perfection of insight is practiced.
Various types / levels of ignorance have been purified in the first four stages, and in each subsequent stage the ignorance that is to be purified is more subtle and difficult to address than in the previous stage.
- In the first stage, the ignorance of clinging to person and things, and the ignorance of the defilement of wrong tendencies and actions have been purified.
- The second stage, the ignorance of minute errors and transgressions, and the ignorance of what various actions lead to have been purified.
- In the third stage, the ignorance of greed, and the ignorance of complete mental control to retain what is learned have been purified.
- In the fourth stage, the Bodhisattva addressed the ignorance of attachment to attainments in concentration, and the ignorance of attachment to religion.
- In the fifth stage, the Bodhisattva addressed the ignorance of one-sided thought rejecting life and death, and the ignorance of one-sided thought heading for nirvana.
- In the sixth stage, the Bodhisattva addresses the ignorance of observing the flux of events at the moment, and the ignorance of elaborate active mental patterns.
A Bodhisattva on the completion of the fifth stage, goes on to the sixth stage and has to understand and realize the ten kinds of sameness when it comes to dharmas being:
1. Without discoverable base
2. Without discoverable sign or identifiable mark
3. Without discoverable origin and not produced
4. Unborn and unmade
5. Unattached and non-isolated
6. Pure from the very beginning and untainted
7. Unimpeded and free from all multiplicity
8. Aimless (not desired and not averted)
9. Unreal like a dream, an illusion (imagined), a mere reflection
10. Without the designation of becoming and non-becoming
Practitioners enter the sixth stage by observing phenomena in terms of their sameness in having no ‘ultimate definition’, in having no discoverable fixed origin, in being apart from any concept or notion of things, in being primordially pure, in neither coming nor going, in being existent in some sense and non-existent in another, and in being like dreams or reflected images. They observe the formation and disintegration of worlds, they realize that the origins of worldly ways are all rooted in attachment to self. This leads them to a thorough examination of the process of conditioning, followed by liberating absorption in emptiness, signless-ness, and wishless-ness. Furthermore, the Bodhisattva develops unbeatable resolute intention and becomes immune to delusive influences.
Furthermore, in the sixth stage, the Bodhisattva should avoid six dharmas and fulfill the six perfections.
1. Avoid pondering the Disciple path (Sravaka-yana), because it is not the Bodhisattva Mahayana path [to enlightenment].
2. Avoid pondering the Solitary Buddha path, because it is not the Bodhisattva Mahayana path [to enlightenment].
3. Avoid worrying and having doubt, because it is not and aid to the Bodhisattva Mahayana path [to enlightenment]. Confidence is the antidote to doubt.
4. Avoid thoughts of annoyance when he sees those in need who beg about it. Patience is the antidote to annoyance.
5. Avoid becoming sad about renouncing all one’s possessions. Giving is the antidote to attachment to material things.
6. Avoid distractions from those you help. Concentration is the antidote to distractions.
In the next article, I’ll be discussing The Seventh Stage of the Mahayana Bodhisattva Path in full detail.
I will flag comment spam at 1% strength. If you keep on spamming my post, I will flag you at 100%. I don't care if you have limited English abilities, write a couple of sentences about this article, no copy-paste, please. I will flag: one sentence comments, links to your blog and begging for up-votes and follows. Also, I will flag comments that have nothing to do with my blog's article. I will also check your comment section to see if you have been comment spamming on other blogs.