Kurukulla: The Red Tara of Enchantment and Magnetism

 

Red Tara: Magnetizing Compassion and Transforming Desire

Red Tara, or Kurukulla, is a powerful manifestation of the Buddhist goddess Tara, renowned for her ability to magnetize positive circumstances, subdue negative influences, and transmute worldly desires into enlightened action, particularly during times of widespread distress and discord. 

Kurukulla is a powerful deity within Vajrayana Buddhism, recognized as one of the twenty-one emanations of Tara. She is typically depicted as a vibrant red, four-armed figure, strongly associated with enchantment, magnetism, and love.

Here's a detailed overview of Kurukulla:

Key Characteristics and Associations:

 * Red Color: Kurukulla's characteristic red hue symbolizes passion, energy, and dynamic action.

 * Four Arms: She is commonly portrayed with four arms, each holding symbolic implements: a flowered bow and arrow, and a flowered hook and noose. These represent her ability to attract and subdue.

 * Dancing Posture: Her frequently depicted dancing posture signifies her dynamism and active energy.

 * Enchantment and Magnetism: Kurukulla is renowned for her capacity to magnetize and enchant, and is often invoked to attract love, prosperity, and success. 

 * Emanation of Tara: As mentioned, she is one of the twenty-one emanations of Tara, the Buddhist goddess of compassion and liberation.

 * Lotus Family: Kurukulla is also associated with the Lotus family of deities.

 * Tibetan Name: In Tibetan, she is known as Kurukulle. 

Iconography:

 * Flowered Bow and Arrow: These symbolize her ability to attract and subdue influences.

 * Flowered Hook and Noose: These represent her power to bind and magnetize.

 * Dancing Posture: This signifies her dynamic energy.

 * Red Color: This symbolizes passion, energy, and active power.

Practices:

 * Mantra Recitation: Reciting her mantra is believed to invoke the desired effects of enchantment, magnetism, and love.

 * Meditation: Visualizing and meditating upon Kurukulla can assist practitioners in cultivating these qualities within themselves. 

* Offerings: Offerings such as flowers and incense are presented to Kurukulla as part of devotional practices

Magnetizing Influence: 

Red Tara is believed to attract favorable conditions, resources, and individuals conducive to spiritual practice.

Subduing Negativity:

She is invoked to pacify turbulent emotions and guide individuals towards the Dharma, fostering inner peace and harmony.

Transforming Desire:

Red Tara symbolizes the alchemical process of converting base desires into enlightened activity, harnessing their energy for spiritual growth. 

Red Tara's Significance:

Red Tara has gained considerable popularity within Tibetan Buddhism and is increasingly recognized by practitioners worldwide. Her unique attributes address contemporary challenges, making her a relevant and potent deity.

Red Tara is one among many manifestations of Tara, a central figure in Himalayan Buddhism, particularly in Tibet and Nepal. 

Other notable forms include Green Tara, Sitatapatra (White Parasol) Tara, and Kurukulla (also known as Red Tara). Tara, in her various forms, is revered as a supreme goddess, a female Buddha embodying wisdom, compassion, and enlightened activity.

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Note: Vajrayana offers countless skillful and powerful methods that, when practiced correctly, can significantly accelerate the processes of accumulation and purification.

It is crucial to have pure motivation and understand that Vajrayana practice is not intended to increase one's ego, power, or self-interest.

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. Your support helps spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheel in the world.

Aspiration for Bodhichitta: 

May the precious Bodhichitta, which has not yet arisen, arise and not diminish, but rather increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit: 

By this merit, may we swiftly attain omniscience. Having overcome the enemies of wrongdoing, may we liberate all beings from the ocean of existence, with its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death. 

Note

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The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

Om Ami Dewa Hrih - Amitabha Buddha

The Power of "Om Ami Dewa Hrih" 

The mantra "Om Ami Dewa Hrih" holds significant importance in Buddhist practice, particularly within traditions honoring Amitabha Buddha. 

It is believed that reciting this sacred phrase purifies negative emotions, fosters compassion, and strengthens the potential for rebirth in Amitabha's Pure Land, a realm of ultimate peace and bliss. 

Essentially, this practice serves as a conduit to connect with Amitabha Buddha's benevolent energy and cultivate positive mental states through the repetition of these potent syllables. 

By reciting this mantra—Om Ami Dewa Hrih, the 6 afflictive emotions are purified, and the qualities of the 6 Paramitas are accomplished. 

We increase our love and compassion and thereby destroy self-grasping. If the mind is not distracted, you will see the nature of the mind. 

Understanding the Mantra's Components:

 *Om: Represents the universal sound, symbolizing ultimate reality and the interconnectedness of all things.

 *Ami: Denotes Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light and Compassion.

*Dewa: Signifies divine or heavenly qualities, reflecting Amitabha's enlightened nature.

*Hrih: Is considered a "seed syllable," encapsulating the essence of compassion and wisdom. 

Benefits of Recitation:

 * Mental Purification: The mantra is believed to cleanse the mind of negative thoughts and emotions, promoting inner peace, clarity, and emotional equilibrium.

 * Cultivation of Compassion: By focusing on Amitabha's boundless compassion, practitioners aim to develop a greater sense of empathy and kindness towards all beings.

* Aspiration for Rebirth in Pure Land: Consistent and sincere recitation of this mantra is thought to increase the likelihood of being reborn in Amitabha's Pure Land, a realm free from suffering and conducive to enlightenment. 

In Summary:

The recitation of "Om Ami Dewa Hrih" is a powerful practice for those seeking to cultivate inner peace, compassion, and a connection to Amitabha Buddha. 

Through understanding the meaning of its syllables and engaging in regular recitation, practitioners can experience the transformative benefits of this sacred mantra.

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If you find our blog helpful, please consider supporting our Buddhist research and development with a donation.

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Note: Vajrayana offers countless skillful and powerful methods that, when practiced correctly, can significantly accelerate the processes of accumulation and purification. It is crucial to have pure motivation and understand that Vajrayana practice is not intended to increase one's ego, power, or self-interest.

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. Your support helps spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheel in the world.

Aspiration for Bodhichitta: 

May the precious Bodhichitta, which has not yet arisen, arise and not diminish, but rather increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit: 

By this merit, may we swiftly attain omniscience. Having overcome the enemies of wrongdoing, may we liberate all beings from the ocean of existence, with its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death. 

Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful

distributors and/or studios

The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

 

The Four Conditions For Empowerment

Empowerment is an initiation ritual that introduces one to a specific Vajrayana practice and authorizes them to engage in it.

During an empowerment, the vajra master transmits the realization of a particular practice to the initiate. 

This transmission doesn't bestow something the initiate lacks; rather, it activates a dormant quality.  

The vajra master's transmission awakens an innate quality to which the initiate previously had no access because it was obscured by habitual patterns.

This initiation allows one to enter the mandala and learn the visualizations, mantras, and mudras associated with that specific practice.  

Empowerment is one of three transmissions required for permission to engage in a Vajrayana practice. 

These three transmissions are:

* Wang: Transmission of the realization of the practice.

* Lung: Reading transmission that authorizes one to read the text.

* Tri: Instructions on how to perform the practice.

An Anuttarayogatantra initiation comprises four empowerments: 

* Vase Empowerment: This relates to the purification of the body, the sense faculties, and the phenomenal world, transforming them into the Nirmanakaya (manifest body of enlightenment).

* Secret Empowerment: This relates to the purification of speech, transforming it into the Sambhogakaya (enjoyment body).

* Knowledge-Wisdom Empowerment: This relates to the purification of the mind, transforming it into the Dharmakaya (body of ultimate enlightenment).

* Word Empowerment: This purifies the previous three, integrating them into the Svabhavikakaya (essential body), which represents the inseparability of the Nirmanakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Dharmakaya. 

For an empowerment to be effective, two causes and four conditions are necessary:

Two Causes:

 * Associated Cause: The presence of Buddha-nature within the initiate.

 * Cooperative Cause: The ritual implements and substances used in the ritual.

Four Conditions:

 * Causal Condition: The initiate possesses faith and intelligence. 

* Dominant Condition: A fully qualified teacher/vajra master is present.

* Objective Condition: The vajra master has knowledge of the ritual.

* Immediate Condition: The preceding stage or empowerment has prepared the initiate for the current stage.

The vase, secret, knowledge-wisdom, and word empowerments must be given in the correct sequence, as each prepares the ground for the next. 

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If you find our blog helpful, please consider supporting our Buddhist research and development with a donation.

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Note: Vajrayana offers countless skillful and powerful methods that, when practiced correctly, can significantly accelerate the processes of accumulation and purification. It is crucial to have pure motivation and understand that Vajrayana practice is not intended to increase one's ego, power, or self-interest.

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. Your support helps spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheel in the world.

Aspiration for Bodhichitta: 

May the precious Bodhichitta, which has not yet arisen, arise and not diminish, but rather increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit: 

By this merit, may we swiftly attain omniscience. Having overcome the enemies of wrongdoing, may we liberate all beings from the ocean of existence, with its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death. 

Note
I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful
distributors and/or studios
The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

Abhiseka, The Secret Transmission of Vajrayana.

Abhisheka is a Buddhist ritual of anointment or consecration that involves pouring a liquid offering on a deity or practitioner. It's a significant moment in the journey toward enlightenment.  

In Vajrayana Buddhism, an empowerment or consecration (Sanskrit: abhiseka) is an esoteric initiation or transmission of secret teachings performed by a tantric guru (vajracharya) to a student in a ritual space containing the mandala of a Buddhist deity. 

The initiation is traditionally seen as transmitting a certain spiritual power (Sanskrit: adhisthana, Tibetan: jinlap, sometimes translated as "blessings") that allows the tantric yogi to reach enlightenment swiftly or to attain other yogic accomplishments.

Many tantric practices are commonly said to be secret and are only to be revealed after ritual initiation.

Other tantric practices may be openly known but are only considered to be effective after being initiated into the proper mandala, which corresponds to a specific practice.

The secrecy of teachings was often protected through the use of allusive, indirect, symbolic, and metaphorical language (twilight language), which required interpretation and guidance from a teacher.

The teachings may also be considered "self-secret," meaning that even if they were to be told directly to a person, that person would not necessarily understand the teachings without proper context or initiation.

In this way, the teachings are "secret" to the minds of those who are not following the path with more than a simple sense of curiosity.

Because of their role in giving access to the practices and guiding the student through them, the role of the Vajracharya guru or lama (who himself must have been initiated by a previous guru of a specific lineage) is indispensable in Vajrayana. 

In Tibetan Buddhism

What is abhisheka used for in Buddhism?Initiation: In Vajrayana Buddhism, abhisheka initiates practitioners into deity-focused practices. 
Purification: In esoteric Buddhism, abhisheka is a purificatory rite that signifies a change in status. 
Empowerment: Abhisheka symbolizes the empowerment of a practitioner or sacred object. 

How is abhisheka performed? Practitioners are anointed with water, practitioners make vows, practitioners chant mantras, and practitioners are introduced into a mandala. 

What are the different types of abhisheka? 

Master consecration: One of the four classes of abhisheka

Secret consecration: One of the four classes of abhisheka

Knowledge of prajna (“wisdom”): One of the four classes of abhisheka

The fourth consecration: One of the four classes of abhisheka. 

Abhisheka is also practiced in Hinduism and Jainism. 

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 *Footnote
Vajrayana features countless skillful and powerful methods that, if practised in the proper way, can make the process of accumulation and purification incredibly swift and direct. 

It is absolutely necessary to have pure motivation and to know that Vajrayana practise is not carried out to increase one’s own ego, power, or self-interest.

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.

Aspiration For Bodhichitta
For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen
May it arise and not decrease.
But increase further and further.

Dedication of Merit
By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.
Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings
May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.
With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

*Note
I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).
Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful
distributors and/or studios
The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

The Basic Introduction To The Bodhisattva Vow

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva / 地蔵菩薩

The Bodhisattva vow is a vow (Sanskrit: pranidhana, lit. aspiration or resolution) taken by some Mahayana Buddhists to achieve full Buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings. One who has taken the vow is nominally known as a Bodhisattva (a being working towards Buddhahood). This can be done by venerating all Buddhas and by cultivating supreme moral and spiritual perfection to be placed in the service of others.

Particularly, Bodhisattvas promise to practice the six perfections of giving, moral discipline, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom in order to fulfil their hicitta aim of attaining Buddhahood for the sake of all beings. 

The vow is commonly taken in a ritual setting, overseen by a senior monastic, teacher, or guru. Whereas the pratimokṣa vows cease at death, the bodhisattva vow extends into future lives. The Bodhisattva vows should not be confused with the Bodhisattva Precepts (Sanskrit: Bodhisattva-sila), which are specific ethical guidelines for Bodhisattvas. 

According to the Mahavastu, Shakyamuni Buddha's first vow to become a Buddha was made under another past Buddha also called Shakyamuni. The vow is reported as follows:

When the Bodhisattvas have laid up an abundant store of merit and have their body and mind well developed, they approach the beautiful Buddhas and turn their thoughts to enlightenment (each vowing).

"By the merit I have formerly laid up in store, may I have insight into all things. May my vow not come to naught, but may what I vow come to pass.

"May my store of the root of merit be great enough for all living beings. Whatever evil deed has been done by me, may I alone reap its bitter fruit.

"So may I run my course through the world as He whose mind is rid of attachments does. May I set rolling the wheel of Dharma that has not its equal and is honoured and revered by devas and men." 

The Mahavastu depicts Shakyamuni taking other vows under other past Buddhas. When he meets the past Buddha Samitavin, the text also contains another vow, which is similar to the "fourfold vow" found in Mahayana sources:

May I in some future time become a Tathagata, an Arhan, a perfect Buddha, proficient in knowledge and conduct, a Sugata, an unsurpassed knower of the world, a driver of tameable men, and a teacher of devas and men, as this exalted Samitāvin now is. May I become endowed with the thirty-two marks of a great man, and may my body be adorned with his eighty minor characteristics. 

May I have the eighteen distinctive attributes of Buddhahood, be strong with the ten powers of a Tathagata, and be confident with the four grounds of self-confidence, as this exalted, perfect Buddha Samitāvin now is. Having crossed over, may I lead others across; comforted, may I comfort others; emancipated, may I emancipate others. May I become so for the benefit and welfare of mankind, out of compassion for the world, for the good of the multitude, and for the welfare and benefit of devas and men. 

The Theravada Nidanakatha has the following verses attributed to Sumedha (the past life of the Buddha) when he made his vow to become a Buddha under the past Buddha Dipankara: 

As I lay upon the ground, this was the thought in my heart: if I wished it, I might this day destroy within me all human passions.

But why should I, in disguise, arrive at the knowledge of the truth? I will attain omniscience and become a Buddha, and I will save men and devas.

Why should I cross the ocean resolutely but alone? I will attain omniscience and enable men and devas to cross.

By this resolution of mine, I, a man of resolution, will attain omniscience and save men and devas, cutting off the stream of transmigration, annihilating the three forms of existence, and embarking on the ship of the truth. I will carry across with me men and devas. 

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Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.

 

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.

 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios

The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

 

The Ten Stages of the Bodhisattva Path - Seventh Bhumi (7/10)

 

Sarvanivarana-Vishkambhin Bodhisattva 除蓋障菩薩

In Buddhism, Bhumi, or stage. Every stage represents a level of attainment in that case and serves as the basis for the next one. Each level marks a definite advancement in one's training that is accompanied by progressively greater power and wisdom.

Stages, or Bhumi, is a Sanskrit word for "land" or "ground," and the list of ten Bhumis are ten "lands" a Bodhisattva must pass through on the way to Buddhahood. The Bhumis were important to early Mahayana Buddhism. A list of ten Bhumis appears in several Mahayana texts, although they are not always identical. The Bhumis are also associated with the perfections, or Paramitas.

The ten Bhumis literally mean the "grounds" or levels of Bodhisattvas in which the qualities of their training unfold. With the attainment of the tenth Bhumi, one arrives at and eventually reaches perfection at complete enlightenment. 

Maitreya Bodhisattva 彌勒菩薩

Many schools of Buddhism describe some kind of path of development. Often, these are extensions of the Eightfold Path. Since this is a description of the progress of a Bodhisattva, much of the list below promotes the turning from concern for oneself to concern for others.

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is the ideal of practise. This is an enlightened being who vows to remain in the world until all other beings realise enlightenment.

Here is a standard list taken from the Dashabhumika-sutra, which is taken from the larger Avatamsaka, or Flower Garland Sutra.

In the Ten Bhumis of the Dasabhumika Sutra. It refers to the following ten Bhumis:

1. The stage of joy, in which one rejoices at realising a partial aspect of the truth. 
2. The stage of freedom from defilement, in which one is free from all defilement.
3. The stage of the emission of light, in which one radiates the light of wisdom.
4. The stage of glowing wisdom, in which the flame of wisdom burns away earthly desires. 
5. The stage of the Difficult to Master. (Sanskrit: sudurjaya), in which one surmounts the illusions of darkness, or ignorance as the Middle Way. 
6. The stage of the sixth Bhumi, the manifest (Sanskrit: Abhimukhī) in which supreme wisdom begins to manifest.   
7. The stage of  the seventh Bhumi, the Gone Afar (Sanskrit: Duramgama), in which one rises above the states of the two vehicles. 
   
   Arya White Tara  白度母

The seventh Bhumi, the Gone Afar, is when the Bodhisattvas on the seventh level develop the ability to contemplate signlessness uninterruptedly and enter into advanced meditative absorptions for extended periods of time, thus passing beyond both the mundane and supramundane paths of sravakas and Pratyekabuddhas (hearers and solitary realizers). 

For this reason, this level is called Gone Afar. According to Nagarjuna,

The seventh is gone afar because
The number of his qualities has increased.
Moment by moment, he can enter
The equipoise of cessation 

On this level, Bodhisattvas perfect their skill in means of meditation and practice (Thabs la mkhas pa, Tibetan; Upaya-Kausalya, Sanskrit), which is their ability to cleverly adapt their teaching tactics to the individual proclivities and needs of their audiences. They also develop the ability to know the thoughts of others and, in every moment, are able to practice all the perfections. All thoughts and actions are free from afflictions, and they constantly act spontaneously and effectively for the benefit of others. 

Donations for our Buddhist research and development

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in 2008, we have been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 14 years. We have exceptionally constrained support and do not receive subsidies or funding from people in general.

 

Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.

 

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.

 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios

The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

The Ten Stages of the Bodhisattva Path - Sixth Bhumi (6/10)

Manjushri Bodhisattva

In Buddhism, Bhumi, or stage. Every stage represents a level of attainment in that case and serves as the basis for the next one. Each level marks a definite advancement in one's training that is accompanied by progressively greater power and wisdom.

Stages, or Bhumi, is a Sanskrit word for "land" or "ground," and the list of ten Bhumis are ten "lands" a Bodhisattva must pass through on the way to Buddhahood. The Bhumis were important to early Mahayana Buddhism. A list of ten Bhumis appears in several Mahayana texts, although they are not always identical. The Bhumis are also associated with the perfections, or Paramitas.

The ten Bhumis literally mean the "grounds" or levels of Bodhisattvas in which the qualities of their training unfold. With the attainment of the tenth Bhumi, one arrives at and eventually reaches perfection at complete enlightenment.

Manjushri in tantric union with his consort, the Bodhisattva Saraswati

Many schools of Buddhism describe some kind of path of development. Often, these are extensions of the Eightfold Path. Since this is a description of the progress of a Bodhisattva, much of the list below promotes the turning from concern for oneself to concern for others.

In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is the ideal of practise. This is an enlightened being who vows to remain in the world until all other beings realise enlightenment.

Here is a standard list taken from the Dashabhumika-sutra, which is taken from the larger Avatamsaka, or Flower Garland Sutra.

In the Ten Bhumis of the Dasabhumika Sutra. It refers to the following ten Bhumis:

1. The stage of joy, in which one rejoices at realising a partial aspect of the truth. 
2. The stage of freedom from defilement, in which one is free from all defilement.
3. The stage of the emission of light, in which one radiates the light of wisdom.
4. The stage of glowing wisdom, in which the flame of wisdom burns away earthly desires. 
5. The stage of the Difficult to Master. (Sanskrit: sudurjaya), in which one surmounts the illusions of darkness, or ignorance as the Middle Way. 
6. The stage of The sixth Bhumi, the manifest (Sanskrit: Abhimukhi) in which supreme wisdom begins to manifest.   
   
   Akasagarbha Bodhisattva 虛空藏菩薩

The sixth level is called the "Manifest" because the bodhisattva clearly perceives the workings of dependent arising and directly understands "the signless" (in Tibetan: Mtshan ma med pa, in Sanskrit: Animitta). The term signless refers to the fact that phenomena seem to possess their apparent qualities by way of their own nature, but when one examines this appearance, one realises that all qualities are merely mentally imputed and not a part of the nature of the objects they appear to characterise. 

As a result of these understandings, bodhisattvas manifest meditative wisdom and avoid attachment to either cyclic existence or nirvana. Having overcome all attachments, Bodhisattvas on this level can attain nirvana, but because of the force of the mind of awakening, they decide to remain in the world in order to benefit other sentient beings. 

They cultivate the perfection of wisdom, through which they perceive all phenomena as lacking inherent existence, as being like dreams, illusions, reflections, or magically created objects. All notions of "I" and "other" are transcended, along with conceptions of "inherent existence" and "inherent nonexistence. These sixth-level bodhisattvas abide in contemplation of suchness, with minds that are undisturbed by false ideas.

Donations for our Buddhist research and development

Do you earnestly cherish our devoted work? Assuming this is the case, we are delighted that you are finding our blog useful and valuable. Would you consider making a donation for our Buddhist research and development?

We need your help to secure the future of scholarly interaction with Buddhism. Since our very first publication of Dharma works and activities in 2008, we have been effortlessly providing free distribution of Dharma posts and articles throughout the previous 14 years. We have exceptionally constrained support and do not receive subsidies or funding from people in general.

 

Please help us develop our Dharma activities that will not only benefit you but all Dharma readers on the planet. Please consider showing your support. Your generosity will certainly help us enhance our work and accomplish more for a better and brighter future.

 

Thank you for reading. May you find peace and great bliss. With your support, it helps to spread the Buddha’s precious teachings and turn the Dharma wheels in the world.

 

Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

*Note

I do not own or infringe any copyright on the picture(s).

Picture(s) courtesy and credit to the rightful distributors and/or studios

The picture(s) are intended for editorial use only.

The Ten Stages of the Bodhisattva Path

Then the Bodhisattva Avalokitevara addressed the Blessed One, "Blessed One, the ten stages of the Bodhisattva are called: 

1. The stage of joy, in which one rejoices at realising a partial aspect of the truth. 
2. The stage of freedom from defilement, in which one is free from all defilement.
3. The stage of the emission of light, in which one radiates the light of wisdom.
4. The stage of glowing wisdom, in which the flame of wisdom burns away earthly desires.
5. The stage of overcoming final illusions, in which one surmounts the illusions of darkness or ignorance of the Middle Way.
6. The stage of the sign of supreme wisdom, in which the supreme wisdom begins to appear.
7. The stage of progression in which one rises above the paths of the two vehicles.
8. The stage of immobility, in which one dwells firmly in the truth of the Middle Way and cannot be perturbed by anything.
9. The stage of all-penetrating wisdom, in which one preaches the Law freely and without restriction.
10. The stage of the Dharma cloud, in which one benefits all sentient beings with the Dharma or Law, just as a cloud sends down rain impartially upon all things. 
    
    The Ten Stages of the Bodhisattva Path

Stages, or bhumi, is a Sanskrit word for "land" or "ground," and the list of ten bhumis are ten "lands" a bodhisattva must pass through on the way to Buddhahood. The bhumis were important to early Mahayana Buddhism. A list of ten bhumis appears in several Mahayana texts, although they are not always identical. The bhumis are also associated with the perfections, or Paramitas.

The ten bhumis literally mean the "grounds" or levels of Bodhisattvas in which the qualities of their training unfold. With the attainment of the tenth bhūmi, one arrives at and eventually reaches perfection at complete enlightenment.

Many schools of Buddhism describe some kind of path of development. Often, these are extensions of the Eightfold Path. Since this is a description of the progress of a bodhisattva, much of the list below promotes the turning from concern for oneself to concern for others.

In Mahayana Buddhism, the bodhisattva is the ideal of practise. This is an enlightened being who vows to remain in the world until all other beings realise enlightenment.

Here is a standard list taken from the Dashabhumika-sutra, which is taken from the larger Avatamsaka, or Flower Garland Sutra.

Who's Vajragarbha?

Vajragarbha in Tibet is known as Dorje Nyingpo. Vajragarbha is a Bodhisattva who compiled the Dzogchen teachings given by the Buddha Samantabhadra in Akanishtha. He is counted as one of Terton Sogyal's previous incarnations.

The main interlocutor of the Buddha’s entourage throughout many of the Yoginītantras, such as the Hevajra Tantra, is also called Vajragarbha. 

Vajragarbha Explains the Ten Bhumis

In the Ten Bhumis chapter, the explanation of the bodhisattva path is given by the bodhisattva Vajra­garbha (Dorje Nyingpo). He is empowered by Bhagavat Sakyamuni, whose urṇa hair light rays, called the light of Bodhisattva power, gave him the authorization to teach.

The first few verses of the text, where Vajragarbha explains the qualities of just the first bhumi, Perfect Joy, inform the assembly of Bodhisattvas of the tremendous benefits achieved on that first stage on the path.

They have accumulated good qualities, are endowed with goodness,
Have served the sugatas, are loving, kind, and helpful,
Have a vast motivation, have the pure nature of good intentions,
And develop an unequalled aspiration for the wisdom of the Jinas.

They are diligent in purifying the strengths of the Buddhas and omniscience.
In order to fulfil the Dharma of the jinas and protect beings.
With great kindness, they develop sublime aspiration.
To purify Buddha realms and turn the wheel of the Dharma.

In one instant, they have nonconceptual knowledge of the three times
So that there is the timely purification of various beings.

In brief, they desire all the qualities of the guides.
And develop a vast aspiration equal to space.

They have the power of wisdom, all-preceding compassion, and the employment of method. 

They have pure motivation and intention and immeasurable strengths.

They have unimpeded manifestations for others who are to be guided.

They have become the same as the sugatas and have developed the supreme motivation. 

Simultaneously with the precious motivation of the sons of the Tathdagatas,

They transcend the conduct of childlike beings and gain the conduct of the Buddhas. 

They are born into the family of the ten strengths and do not commit infractions.

They have become the same as the Jinas and will definitely have the highest enlightenment.

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Aspiration For Bodhichitta

For those in whom the precious Bodhichitta has not arisen

May it arise and not decrease.

But increase further and further.

 

Dedication of Merit

By this merit, may we then obtain omniscience then.

Having defeated the enemies wrongdoings

May we liberate migratory from the ocean of existence.

With its stormy waves of birth, old age, sickness, and death.

 

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