The Ten Stages of the Bodhisattva Path - Ninth Bhumi (9/10)

 

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva / 地蔵菩薩

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. 

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. 
8. The eighth bhumi, the immovable (Sanskrit: acala), in which one dwells firmly in the truth of the Middle Way and cannot be perturbed by anything. 
9. The ninth Bhumi, the Good Intelligence (Sanskrit: sādhumatī), in which one preaches the Law freely and without restriction. 
   
   Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva / 地蔵菩薩

The Ninth Bhumi, the Good Intelligence

From this point on, bodhisattvas move quickly towards awakening. Before this stage, progress was comparatively slow, like a boat being towed through a harbour. On the eighth through tenth bhumi, however, Bodhisattvas make huge strides towards buddhahood, like a ship that reaches the ocean and unfurls its sails. 

On the ninth level, they fully understand the three vehicles—hearers, solitary realizers, and Bodhisattvas—and perfect their ability to teach the doctrine. According to the Sutra explaining the thought.

Because of attaining faultlessness and very extensive intelligence in terms of mastery of teaching the doctrine in all aspects, the ninth level is called good intelligence."

Ninth bhumi Bodhisattvas also acquire the "four analytical knowledges"—of fundamental concepts, meaning, grammar, and exposition. Due to this, they develop wondrous eloquence and skill in presenting doctrinal teachings. Their intelligence surpasses that of all humans and gods, and they comprehend all names, words, meanings, and languages.

They can understand any question from any being. They also have the ability to answer them with a single sound, which is understood by each being according to its capacities. On this level they also cultivate the perfection of virya, which means that because of the strength of their mastery of the four analyticaIl knowledges and their meditation, they are able to develop paramitas energetically and to practice them continually without becoming fatigued. 

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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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