non-true
existence)
is true.
Bhavanakrama-Stages-of-Meditation-by-Kamalashila
Those who, for some period (of their existence) move about jn visible and invisible states (that is, with form and without form) also, though free for a while from the tortures of suffering, ultimately suffer/ from the dukha of evil consequences leading to hell-tortures owing to their not having overcome the 'anusayas"?
from a 'kamavachara?
" conduct.
Thus all human beings and gods owing to their subordination to 'karma klesas' ,~are suffering from the dukha of 'samskara-dukha'.
"
In this way the whole world is wrapped around by a wreath of dukha-fire; so seeing and thinking 'just as I do not like suffering so also don't others', one should generate a feeling of compassion for all beings. First of all such 'bhavana' or contemplation should be cultivated towards friends, keeping in mind the aforesaid experiences of dukha or suffering.
? 16 BHAvANAKRAMA
BHAvANAKRAMA-I 17
Then, with a mind introvert and staid, one should contemplate like this: 'there is not a single 'sattva' in this beginning-less world who has not been related to me a hundred times'; in this manner contemplate on ordinary beings. When compassion similar to that for one's friends is also generated for common beings, one should through 'chitta-samata>'ormentalequalitycontemplateonone's enemies also. When one is as much concerned-" for one's enemies as for one's friends one should generate identical 'bhavana ' or feeling for all the beings in all the ten directions
one after the other. When the spontaneous desire to remove the dukha of all the sattvas like one would that of one's own dear child is generated, it (i. e. the desire) becomes 'nispanna" or staid and is designated as 'mahakaruna ' as has been described in Aksayamati-sutra. This sequence of 'kripa' bhavana or the contemplation of compassion has been described by the Lord in the Abhidharma sutras etc.
Through the force of the practising of such compassion and the vow of uplifting all 'sattvas ', bodhichitta 26 is
spontaneously born as importunate" for 'annuttar-samyaka- sambodhi' . 28
As has been said in Arya Dasa-dharma-sutra. "Seeing that the beings are unprotected, unsheltered and homeless one should fix one's mind in 'karuna' so that 'anuttara samyaka- sambodhi' is generated. " Even though 'bodhichitta is generated in a bodhisattva through another's adherence to 'samyaka '29still bodhichitta generated in a bodhisattva through the on-rush of compassion is far superior as stated in
Arya-Tathagata-jfiana-mudra. Samadhi by the Lord. He (the Lord) has said that such bodhichitta is highly beneficial in the world even without 'pratipatti'. 30As has been mentioned in Maitreya-Virnoksa. "0 kulputra! just as a broken 'Vajra- ratna'31 superimposes itself on the best of gold ornaments but still retains its identity and removes all want, similarly, 0 kulputra! the 'Vajra-ratna ' of the generation of mind for the attainment of 'sarvajnata ',32even if not accompanied by 'pratipatti', superimposes itself on the gold ornaments of the
'gunas'P of a 'sravaka" and a 'pratyeka-buddha'r" it does not abandon 'bodhichitta' and also removes the wants of the world. "
He who cannot be fully and in every manner educated in the 'paramitas-" should also cultivate bodhichitta, because by holding on to 'upayaya'j? great benefits accrue. As has beensaidinArya-rajavavadaka-sutra:"0king! asyouarea great doer and can do a lot, it is not possible to educate everyone in every way from 'dana-paramita-" to "prajfia- paramita"? so you should constantly re-capitulate', mentally visualise and contemplate on your desire for and faith in prayer and determination or vow" for 'samyaka sambodhi' while walking, stopping, sitting, sleeping, waking, eating, drinking, recollecting all the 'kusala-mulas" or root-merits of the Buddhas, bodhisattvas, pratyeka-buddhas, arya- sravakas, common people, your own of the past, of the present, of the future, and commend them (i. e. kusala miilas), After 'anumodana'P or commending, offer it again to the Buddhas, bodhisattvas, pratyeka-buddhas, arya-sravakas through worship and, after offering, make them common= for the common people. Then transform into 'anuttara- samyaka-sambodhi' all 'kusalas' or merits practised thrice everyday for the attainment of 'sarvajfiata' by sattvas and for the fulfilment of all Buddha-dharmas. " Thus will you, 0 King! having becometpratipanna ' or realised, rule (your kingdom). You will/not have to abandon governance and you will also accomplish 'bodhi-sambhara" or accumulation of bodhi. " He further added: "as the fruit" of your root-merits of 'samyaka-sambodhi', many times you were born among gods, many times among men and during all your godly and human births you will be a ruler. " Thus said in detail.
Bodhichitta, which is the essence of 'pratipatti' or attainment, has been proved to be immensely fruitful. As has been said in Arya-veerdatta-pariprichha: "If the' punya' which is attained from bodhichitta is handsome, it will fill the entire 'akasa-dhatu" and overflow it. " "A person offers as many 'buddha-ksetras':" full of gems as the sands of the
? 18
BHAVANAKRAMA
BHAVANAKRAMA-I Aksyamati-ratnamegha-sutra.
19
Ganga to the Lords, another with folded hands bows his mind (asking) for bodhi; the latter worship is superior because it has no end. " says Arya-gandavyliha: "0 Kulputra! bodhichitta is the seed of all Buddha-dharmas". This in detail. "That bodhichitta is of two kinds, "pran idhi t-ch itta r" and 'prasthana-chitta'i'" that is, the mind that is fixed on the goal and the mind that is actually treading the road to bodhi. o Kulaputre! such beings are rare in the world who fix their mind in 'anuttara-samyaka-sambodhi, rarer even are beings who have ventured on the path of 'anuttara-sarnyaka- sambodhi'. May I become a Buddha for the well-being of the whole world; - such a preliminary prayer by the practitioner is called 'pranidhi-chitta ' or fixing of the mind from the moment one holds the vow (,samvara')51 and enters 'sambhara '>' or accumulation (of bodhi), it is termed as 'prasthana-chitta' or the journeying mind.
,Samvara' has to be received from other powerful and learned and 'samvara'-attuned kalyan-mttras. >' In the absence of a favourable 'grahaka' or recepient (or giver? ), bodhichitta should be generated by visualizing the Buddhas and the bodhisattvas as did Arya Manjusri by becoming Arnbara-raja. >' A bodhisattva who has so generated bodhichitta himself practises "dana ' etc. by giving and engages in 'pratipatti' knowing that if one does not oneself give away one cannot (exercise) control (over) others. And, there is no attainment of bodhi without 'pratipatti' or the knowledge of the eight-fold path.
As has been said in Arya-gayasiq;a, "The bodhisattvas with 'pratipatti' achieve bodhi and not those without "pratipatti". It has also been stated in Arya-samadhi-raja: "0 Kurnara! you should thus-wise instruct yourself: 'I shall possess the essence of 'pratipatti. ' What for thus? Because, o Kumaral for one possessing the essence of 'pratipatti', 'anuttara-samyaka-sarnbodhi' is not difficult to attain. "
The "pratipatti ' of the bodhisattva along with the differentiation of 'paramita', 'apramana"" and 'sarngraha- vastu '56 etc. has been described in detail in sutras like
When a bodhisattva has to learn even such material subjects as 'silpa. ';" what then to speak of transcendental dhyana etc. ? Otherwise, how will he fulfil all
his commitments towards sattvas? Hence, in brief, the 'prajfia ' and 'upayaya" of a bodhisattva are neither only 'prajfia' nor only 'upayaya' alone. As has been said in Arya Vimala-kirti-nirdesa: ," prajfia ' without' upayaya ' and "upayaya ' without "prajfia ' are a bondage for the bodhisattva. " 'Upayaya' (means) with 'prajfia' (wisdom) and 'prajfia ' with 'upayaya' are described as release. It is also said in Arya-gayasirsa: "In brief, these are the two paths for a bodhisattva. Equipped with this twin path, the 'rnaha-sattva' bodhisattva will soon be linked with 'anuttara-sarnyaka- sambodhi' or supreme enlightenment. What are these two? These are 'upayaya ' and 'prajfia'.
Here, leaving aside the Perfection of Wisdom, all others such as the perfection of 'dana ', 'samgrah-vastu '59etc. , "ksetra-parisudh. i'j'" 'mahabhoga ', 'bahu-parivara-samp- ata'," 'sattva-paripaka ntrmana'? - etc. the collection of all these is called 'kusala upayaya' of meritorious effort. By thus differentiating through discrimination proper 'upayaya' and by properly fulfilling one's own and others' objectives, one does not contract 'samklesas" just as when mantra-sanctified poison is taken (and no harm comes). And, thus has it been expostulated in the sutra: "Upayaya is the knowledge of
'sarngrah'j'" 'prajna ' the knowledge of differentiation or discrimination/? " It is said in Arya-sradha-baladhana: "What is the skill in upayaya? It is the acquisition of all dharmas. What is 'prajfia'? It is the skill in analysing all dharmas," Both these - 'prajfia' and 'upayaya' and not 'prajria' alone or 'upayaya' alone have always to be practised even by bodhisattvas who have entered the 'bhumis'i'" because a bodhisattva's proper conduct in the "paramitas ' or perfections in all the ten
'bhumis'f? has been taught in Dasabhurnika etc.
Of a bodhisattva who roams calmly in the eighth'" 'bhumi', 'vyuthana'f" (from it) is opposed by the Buddhas.
This is understandable when the following (injunction) is
? 20 BHAvANAKRAMA
BHAvANAKRAMA-I 21
o Kulaputral observe the illimitable expanse," the illimitable beings" and the analysis of illimitable dharma varieties" in all the ten directions. Count them and generate Tathagata's 'abhinirhara ' or kusala-appropriation in the same manner. o jina-putral to a bodhisattva who has attained this kind of 'bhumi ', Lord Buddha closes the doors of accumulation ('abhinirhara') which are prominent, numberless and of unlimited 'jnana ', the abhinirhara ' doors" of knowledge through which, by means of the divisions of unlimited knowledge, they generate 'abhinirhara karma t. ? " 0 jina- putra! you have to achieve 'adhimukti"? you have to achieve 'avabodha'? " - final release and enlightenment. I commend it to you, jinaputral I say it to you. If the bodhisattva is not made to enter the doors of the accumulation of 'sarvajnata- jfiana'? ' he will there (Le. at that stage) enter 'parinirvana'"? and the work of all sattvas disintegrate. WI" Thus has it been propounded in detail. Whatever has been propounded in Arya Vimala-kirti-nirdesa and Gayasirsa is in contradiction of this, that is, the aforesaid postulate, because it has been dealt with these in a general sense only.
studied: "therefore, 0 jina-putra! of a bodhisattva who is established in this 'achala'? ? stage and in the collected force of his earlier fixation or 'prani-dhana' and in the fundamental source of dharma," Lord Buddha calls a 'finis' (upasamhara)" to his previously acquired knowledge and He thus addresses him, "well done, well done, 0 Kulputra! This 'paramartha ksanti'73 is for pursuing all Buddha-dharmas. However, o Kulaputra! even so, that intellect which comprises ten 'balas? ' and four qualifications" and is regarded as Buddha dharma's wealth is still not yours. So, yoke yourself into a search for the glory of that Buddha dharma; start effort; do never leave this doorway of 'ksanti', Even then, 0 Kulaputra!
now that you have attained this 'santi-vimoksa-vihara'76 you
must think of and own up those ignorance-common folks
who, in their restless, disturbed state indulge in varying
'klesas' and whose minds are dogged with many arguments
and counter-arguments. And again, 0 Kulputra! remember
your earlier vows to make available to 'sattvas' a state of no
worry through (the cultivation of) true 'jfiana '. 77This,
o Kulaputra! is the dharmata" of all dharmas. Whether or not
Tathagatas" are born, this state"of 'dharmata' and 'dharma-
dhatu"? staysjustas'sarva-dharmasunyata? "and'sarva- vaipulyaisalsooppositetotheabove. Itissaidtherein:
dharrnanu-plabdhi," i. e. the emptiness of all phenomena and the non-true existence of all phenomena. Not only are Tathagatas affected by it but even 'sravakas' and 'pratyeka- buddhas attain to this 'avikalpa-dharmata'<' or the true nature of 'dharrnata' understanding. "
"Again, 0 kulaputra! observe the inmitable'" quality of our body, of our 'jnana ', of 'buddha-ksetra ', of the accurnulation'" of knowledge, of our aura'" and of the immaculate purity of speech. " You too should generate similar accumulation (of kusala in various 'bhurnis'). This sole effulgence, 0 Kulaputral is the transcendental" glow in all dharmas. 0 Kulaputra! such effulgences of Tathagatas are infinite;" eternally? " born, eternally-Iinked. ? ' countless, numberless, un-provable, inimitable, matchless. Generate accumulation (of 'kusala ') in order to understand them. Also,
"0 Manjusril the 'avarana '"? ' or cover of 'prattksepa'" karma' or negating actions of true dharma is very subtle. He who generates 'sobhana'? ' sanjfia ' or fair cognition and he who generates 'asobhana! " sanjfia ' or unbecoming cognition in the Tathagata-propounded dharma, - both retard'P" the true dharma. Such 'dharrna-pratiksepa' is tantamount to a rebuttal of Tathagata. " So saying at length, he again said: "0 Maitreya! to a person who properly"? cultivates the Six Perfections for 'a bodhisattva's sambodhi or enlightenment, the ignorant ones will say, 'a bodhisattva should learn only 'prajfia-paramita,' what with other perfections? ' They regard the other 'upayaya-paramita'I'" as taboo. How do you regard this, 0 Ajita? l09Was that Kasiraja"" a fool to have given away his flesh in lieu of that of the pigeon to the preying falcon? 'No, my Lord,' said: Maitreya. '! ' The Lord said, '0 Maitreya! did
Whatever has been said in Arya-sarva-dharma-samgrah-
? 22 BHAVANAKRAMA BHAVANAKRAMA-I
23
those kusal-rnulas or root-merits (meritorious practices) pertaining to the Six Perfections, which I garnered while practising the conduct of a bodhisattva do me harm? ' Maitreya replied, 'not at all, my Lord! ' The Lord continued, '0 Ajita! you have practised the proper vows of 'dana-paramita' for sixty 'kalpas'. 112If even you practise 'prajfia-paramita' for sixty 'kalpas,' those ignorant ones will again say, 'a single 'naya '! " or path can lead to bodhi; for example, 'sunyata naya' or the path of emptiness', thishas been said in detail. It is also mentioned in Vairochanabhi-sambodhi: 'This 'jfiana'
f 'sarvajfiata' has 'karuna ' or compassion as its root, it is the 'hetu' or cause of 'bodhichitta ' and is the end':" of 'upayaya'. Therefore, bodhisattvas should always practise both of them. "
This also proves that the Tathagatas are never installed-" in 'nirvana'. So also the Lord will not stay put in 'nirvana' by accepting the wealth of the fruit of such grand enjoyments: "rupa-kaya";! '? "ksetra '! "? and "parivara T'" attained through the efforts of 'dana ' etc. ; nor will these be their station in 'samsara ' owing to the total removal of all their delusion,'! " for 'viparyasa ' or delusion alone is the root of cyclic existence. This 'pratipatti' or realisation born of "prajfia" and 'upayaya ' will aid the stoppage of the consequences+" of superimposition! " and contradiction'P and, give birth to the 'rnadhyama marga' or the Middle Way, because "prajfia ' prevents the consequences of super- imposition and 'upayaya ' prevents the consequences of contradiction. Hence it is said in Arya-dharma-samgeeti: 'Lord Buddha's attributes+" and their expressionl" are conducive to the creation of 'rupa ' - kaya or physical form and not unto the 'abhisamaya'125 of 'dharma' - kaya'126 or subtle form. Again the generation! " or creation affected by the Tathagatas through 'prajfia ' and 'upayaya ' should be followed or pursued in preference to other factors. "
Again, it has been said: "Those who regard dharma as a mere boat should give up dharma too; of course, before that adharma must also be forsaken. " This has been said in order
that belief in opposing or contrary dharmas is abolished and not that no support be taken for the realisation of the objective. Hence, it has been said: "dharma should be accepted but not stuck! " to. " It means that it should not be accepted from the wrong! " end or contrary approach. Whatever has been said about the material fruits of 'dana' etc. has been said only about the 'dana' practised as aforesaid by
people without 'prajna' and for those who are satisfied with it as such, in order to encourage them to practise further root merit, otherwise, it would go contrary to all that has been earlier said in Arya-vimala-kirti-nirdda etc. Thus it is established that 'prajfia ' and 'upayaya ' should both be cultivated. So 'dana-paramita' etc. accompanied by 'prajfia' (wisdom), alone and in no other manner attain an identity, a designation. P? Therefore, one must strive for the generation
of 'prajfia' for sanctifying 'dana' etc. through absorption in
'samadhi' . 131 132
Now, 'srutamayi prajfia ' should be generated first.
Through it one grasps the meaning of 'agama'. 133 Then, through 'chintamayi'" prajfia ' one pierces or analyses the Inrelltgible'" and the dubiousv" meanings. Deciding in this manner one should contemplate on real'F and not unreal':" connotation, otherwise true cognition or ultimate knowledge will not dawn owing to contemplation on the contrary aspect and non-refutation, of doubt. P? In that case, 'bhavana ' will become meaningless as in the case of 'tirthikas '. 140 As the
Lord has said in Samadh iraja also: "If one perceives "nairatrnya T" in all dharmas and, so perceiving, one practises 'bhavana ' or meditation, it will become the 'hetu' or cause of nirvana-fruit; other causes are no-wise for 'santi' or
peace. "
Hence, by means of contemplative wisdom and analysis
through logic and scriptures, one must meditate on the true nature of 'bhutas'. That all things, in the ultimate sense, are non-existent'" has been concluded on the basis of logic and scriptures. As has been stated in the scripture called, Arya- dharma-samgiti: "non-generation alone is true; other dharmas
? 24
BHA. VANA. KRAMA
BHA. VANAKRAMA-I
25
like generation 143are not true. " It is stated as being in accordance with 'paramartha' or the ultimate meaning. Non- generation (i. e.
non-true existence) is true. However, in the ultimate analysis, there is neither 'utpada ' (generation or being) nor 'anutpada ' (non-generation or non-being), because that or 'paramartha ' is beyond all classification or label. Again, it is said in the same scripture: "0 kulputra! the attitude or position of the world is dependent on relying! " on 'utpada ' (generation or being) and 'nirodha' or cessation' (non-being). Therefore, the supremely compassionate Tathagata, in order to abolish the world's areas of fear had said for practical reasons, that 'there is birth, there is cessation', and certainly not (for the reason) that, in the ultimate sense, any dharma is born. " It is stated in Arya- Buddha-samgiti also: "What is the query about 'yonisa ',145 what 'yoni? '146It has been said that non-generation is 'yoni' and the query about it is 'yonisa prichha. ? "" And, again: all dharmas are 'chakara! " mukha' because they are without beginning without cessation; also, all dharmas are 'abhava- mukha'"? because they are void or empty by nature. "
Arya-satya-dvya-vibhaga also states: "the commonality of 'anutpada ' or non-generation is the commonality of all dharmas or phenomena. " Prajfia-paramita says: "0 Subhuti, form is devoid of the 'svabhava' (self-existence) of form just as the bounds of 'vijfiana ' (discriminatory cognition) are devoid of the (true) self-existence or svabhava of 'vijnana ' owing to the emptiness of all self-nature. " Hastika-ksya also states: "nothing exists whose generation or birth is possible. Ignorant people look for the possible from the impossible dharmas. " H has been said in Pita-putra-samagama: "all dharmas during the three times (past, present and future) have been identical. All dharmas were 'svabhava-rahita' or without true self-existence in the past and are so in the present also. " Thus should it be examined through 'agama ' (scriptures). It is not possible for others to refute such conclusions from the scriptures through logic established. So, examining through logic must be done.
Now about logic, briefly. Is the generation of 'bhavas ' (things, phenomena, etc. ) without cause or with cause? It cannot be without cause because it is occasionally noticeable. In the absence of any reliance on 'karana ' or cause and because of the (intervening) interval, why should not things generate (themselves) always and everywhere as if in
'utpada-kala ' or an era of creation? If there is no interval from the time of non-generation, there will be no generation (of things) even at the time of generation. Thus there is no generation without cause. There is no generation with cause either. There can be no creation or being from an imaginary, permanent 'hetu' like an 'iswara'P" as believed by tirthikas'
(heretics) because creation is noticeable (as occurring) at intervals ('kramasa'). Of 'avikala "? ' or constant causes the result cannot be occasional owing to its nirapeksattvata'? or (independent) constancy. 'Iswara', etc. being self-competent need not depend on any other (cause) for. assistance as he is permanent. There need be no dependence for the independent. These 'Iswara' etc. being devoid of omnipotence
are non-existent in essence like the son of a barren woman. A thing having capacity for 'artha-kriya'l53 is incapable of generating any act in an occasional sequence as has been already discussed. There is no simultaneous creation either, because, by creating everything at the same time, if it can repeat such creation later on also then, owing to a repetition of its omnipotent nature, there will arise the possibility of the
creation of things as before. If there is no repetition and the
previous nature is abandoned, the possibility of 'anityata' or
impermanence would arise.
Hence, nothing by the designation of 'nitya' or
permanent exists. The Lord has said, "There is a super- irnposition" of 'asata'! " (the non-existent). Belief in such artificial or non-existent things as 'akasa',15(, 'nirodh'"? and nirvana (space, cessation and release), etc. is super- imposition. " Therefore, there is none of the creation or
"utpada ' from 'nitya' or permanence; neither is there any from 'anitya' or impermanence, because owing to the
? 26 BHA vANAI<RAMA
nothingness of these during the past and the future no creation is possible from them; otherwise too, it would be a creation without cause or 'hetu'? As there is no creation in similar or dissimilar times, there can be no creation from the present time also. Thus there is no simultaneity of generating time; otherwise, for causal reasons, it will give rise to simultaneity of generation or creation also. There is no generation from variation in time either, because if it takes place - after a difference in time, there could be generation in the past also. If, in regarding creation as from 'avyavadhana'P" or non-interval, interval occurs, all 'ksanas' or moments will merge into one 'ksat)a'159 and, in
consequence, a 'kalpa ' will (also) squeeze into 'ksana' just as the linking of atoms in all directions will reduce the 'pinda '160 or mass also to a mere atom. Linkage with a single part makes
a moment alive (savayava). '? ' Things are not self-created either owing to this premise being at par with the non-cause postulate and the concept of the creator being self- contradictory. There is no possibility of generating from both because of the conjunction of the drawbacks of both postulates.
Hence things are without any substantial existence, i. e. unrelated in the ultimate sense. This is not contrary to the (teachings of) scriptures even though in an apparent or illusory sense, creation does appear to exist. So the Lord has said: 'Things exist only in 'samvrita' and not 'paramartha '; The delusion about the 'nissvabhava' of things is called the 'samvriti satya' . 162
Such-like logic has also been endorsed by the Lord in sutras like Salistamba? By itself, from another or from both and without cause, there can be no creation.
Now, let us examine by another argument. 'Bhavas' are of two kinds; with form and without form. Of these, pitched, etc. which have form are not of one 'svabhava ' (entity, nature) being composed of different atoms. Being situated fore and aft and when divided into directions like east, etc. the atom's existence is not established. And, being in (a state
BHA VANAKRAMA-I 27
00 conglomeration, they cannot be said to possess different self-existence or 'svabhava'. There is no other existence of a thing barring single (existence) and multiple (existence). Therefore, things with form are 'nissabhava' or non-existent in the ultimate sense like a form seen in a dream. This has been stated by the Lord in Arya Lankavatara: "0 maharnati (the greatly wise); even the horns of a cow, when divided into atoms, do not exist. Even atoms cannot retain atomic qualities or characteristics when divided. "
Things which are without form are equally non-existent (in essence), when similarly examined. So also things outwardly appearing as blue etc. though not truly existent are only 'vijfiana skandhal'" or an aggregate of cognition, though without form but appearing as blue. The Lord has said, "there are no apparent forms; only the mind sees itself (i. e. its own superimposed reflection). ", Therefore, the blue etc. being seen in different shapes and because of the received and the recepient being incapable of the same existing nature as a consequence of the contradiction between the one and the many, the 'one' cannot be of the nature of 'many'. When the non-existence of the one is proved, the existence of the many is also impossible, because the 'many' is only a conglomeration of the 'one's',
If these manifestations of form etc. are falsel64 or insubstantial and are accepted as such, 'vijnana ' itself will become false because the cognition of the form will be no different from form itself. 'Vijfiana' or cognition has no other form apart from its own manifest form. Forms etc. do not shine by themselves but when they are cognised as false, cognition itself becomes false. That is why the Lord has said: "all cognition is maya or illusory" . 165So the one and the many being non-existent are not true in the ultimate sense. The Lord has said this very thing in Lankavatara: "The nature of things is like the reflection in a mirror which is devoid of both singularity and plurality; although it (i. e. the reflection) appears to be there but, in fact, it is not there. " Devoid of "ekattva ' or singularity and 'anyattva' or multiplicity, it is
? 28
BHA. VANAKRAMA
BHA VANAKRAMA-I 29 Thus staying in 'samatha ' collections like 'sila '! " etc. ,
bowing to all Buddhas and bodhisattvas at a spot convenient to the mind after indicating' papa '174and commending 'purrya'T" keeping in view 'mahakaruna' which aims at the welfare of the entire world, with body erect (but at ease), sitting on a congenial seat (or in the comfortable posture of 'sukhasana')! " assuming the lotus pose, one should practise 'samadhi' or meditational repose.
First of all mind should be briefly fixed on all aspects of the object of contemplation so that it becomes a solid or massed object (to reflect on). In brief, an object is of two kinds: with form and without form. In order to ward off the defect of deviation! " of an adikarmika' or novice initiate, it is proper to have a small or brief 'alambana'? " only. When one has mastered 'rnanaskara ' or mental actualisation one can take to a larger or detailed 'alambana' by refining or rectifying the process through the differentiations of 'skandha ' and 'dhatu' ete. As has been said in Arya-samadhi- nirmochana etc. : "the yogis have many kinds of 'alambanas' like the eighteen types of 'sunyata. '? "
Here also, for the good of sentient beings, the Lord has spokenabout'vastubhedal'"in'abhtdharrnaT"etc. in accordance with the differences between the formless (vastu or thing) and the corporeal (things) in brief, medium and detailed manners. For the removal of superimpositions and falsities, the thing or the object should be regarded as a mere mass or collection of 'skandha ' and 'dhatu '. Thus being assured of the collection with respect to all things, the mind should again and again be brought around to concentrate on that (massed aspect of things).
In case the mind, in between, deviates and gets outward- prone due to 'raga' or attachment, one must silence such aberration by reflecting on the 'asubha ' or unwholesome (responsible for deviation) and stabilise the mind again and again: The sequence of reflection on 'asubha' has not been mentioned here in detail for fear of dilation. When the mind appears to be disinterested, one should reflect on the
neither one nor many. 'Buddhi' or intellect does not take over the nature of existence of that which it examines. Therefore, these are said to be "nirabhilasa T " and 'nissvabhava ' i. e. unbiased and without essence. "
By determining the (true) meaning of things in this manner through deliberative intellect one must generate meditative wisdom in order to manifest the true meaning of things. It has been said in sutras like Arya-ratna-rnegha: "the true meaning never becomes manifest or clear merely through listening (to a lot of expositions). Experience comes only to such as those who practise 'pratipatti',"? or through comprehension. The cover of darkness lying over the 'samyaka' or true meaning cannot be removed without the dawn of the clear light of 'jfiana '. If meditation is done profusely the clear knowledge of the hidden meaning is also born. If 'jfiana ' comes to those who contemplate on 'asubha' and 'prithvi-kritsna'l'" only, what then to speak of those who meditate on 'bhutas 'I" The success of meditation as the harbinger of the fruit of true knowledge has been described in Arya-samadharaja: "I tell you, I put it across to you that as much as a person may analyse or indulge in logic so much will his mind be moulded in accordance with the conclusion he arrives at. " This has been said in detail. Hence, he who wants to' manifest truth or wishes to grasp the essence of things should practise 'bhavana', - meditation.
Herein, the yogi should first cultivate 'samatha"? or calm in order to stabilise the mind. Being 'chanchala ' or flippant like water, the mind cannot become poised without the basis of "samatha '. Nor can a person whose mind is not 'samahita "? "or tranquil can understand the truth of things Cyatha bhutama '), the essence. The Lord said, "one with a tranquil mind understands the 'yatha-bhuta '. Tranquillity comes quickly to a person indifferent towards the desire for gain etc. and to one who is of correct disposition, is of the nature of dukha-awareness! " ete. and is on the path of 'veerya'172or effort. Hence 'dana' etc. have been mentioned repeatedly in Arya-sandhi-nirmochana etc.
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advantages of meditation and concentrate on one's interest on it. Whenever faults of deviation or distraction appear, one must quieten down one's disinterestedness. When owing to having been overcome by 'styana'182 and 'middha'T" one's mind does not get clearly absorbed in holding on to the prop or 'alambana', then either through contemplation Cbhavana') on a luminous cognition C'aloks samjfia') or through a mental visualisation of a supremely joyous object like Buddha etc. and by so calming down 'Iaya' or mental lethargy, one should again firmly hold on to the 'alambana'.
When the mind looks naughty in between through some remembrance of a previous joy or enjoyment one should reflect on the 'samvega '184of 'anityata' or transitoriness and calm down its naughtiness. Then, one must try to persuade the mind towards that very prop (alarnbana) without 'abhisamskara'l'" or variation.
When the mind, shorn of both lethargy and insolence appears to be properly engaged of its own volition. l'" then, through suspension of 'abhoga'P" or effort, detachment should be practised. When 'satyabhoga '! " or true effort (after pacifying 'laxity etc. ) is practised in a state of 'sama- pravritti'P? or balance, 'viksepa "? "or mental confusion (i. e. complicated samadhi-state) occurs, (i. e. the mind is disturbed) .
When the mind, without 'abhisamskara' or variation and of its own volition, becomes engaged in that very 'alambana' one should consider 'samatha ' or abiding calm as achieved. The nature of 'samatha ' is the one-pointedness of the mind, a characteristic common to all types of tranquillity, its 'alambana' is not fixed, though: The Lord has spoken of this path in Arya-prajfiaparamita etc. also. He says, "(the sekeer) fixes Csthapita') his mind there, establishes Csamsthapita') it, pinpoints Cavasthapita') it, houses Cupasthapita') it, controls ('damana') it, calms ('santa') it, stills ('vyupasanta') it, concentrates Cekagra ') and rests in meditative equipose Csamahita')". Th~s described in nine nomenclatures.
Now, here 'sthapayati' means 'binds the mind to the
'alambana': 'sarnsthapayati' means 'to engage the mind to that prop or 'alambana' systematically; 'avasthapayati' means 'on discovering confusion, removes it; 'upa-sthapayati means 'again fixes the mind to that very 'alambana' after removing 'viksepa', 'damayati' means 'generates 'rati' or desire for the prop; 'sainayati' means 'subdues 'a-rati' or non-desire (for alambana) after observing the faults of 'viksepa ' (deviation)'; 'vyupasamayati ' means, 'calms down indolence and do- nothing-ness that have crept in', 'ekoti-karoti' means 'tries to
enter the 'alambana' without 'abhisamskara', 'samadadhati' means 'practises 'upeksa' after attaining tranquillity of mind or 'chitta-sarnata', that is, practises withdrawal from the world or 'sarnanvakarana '. '? ' These are the meanings (of the above terms) as given by Arya Maitreya and by former acharyas.
Briefly speaking, all samadhis have six faults? " sloth,'? ' forsaking the 'alambana "? ' mental lethargy. ! " insolence. l'" non-effort"? and effort. '? " To overcome or wipe out these 'dosas' one must meditate on the eight eraser-samskaras,"? which are faith,2oo desire to act,"? ' industriousness. >" alacrity. t'" non-forgetfulness,201 alertriess. v'" mental refinernent-? " and equanimity. v" Of these, the first four are an antidote to 'kausidya' or sloth. Thus, through 'sraddha' or faith, accompanied by indications of the generation of correct knowledge-? " of the efficacy of sarnadhi, the yogi's will to
practise it is born; from will or desire C'abhilasa) one should commence the cultivation of 'veerya ' or effort. Through effort one attains bodily and mental activity. Activeness of body and mind removes slothfulness. Therefore, 'sraddha ' etc. should be contemplated upon for the sake of warding off 'kausidya ' or sloth etc. 'Smriti ' or non-forgetfulness is the opposite of the giving up of 'alambana'. 'Samprajfiaya ' or awareness is the opposite of mental lethargy and insolence, because it clearly exposes the reality of both. If mental lethargy and insolence are not subdued, the fault of 'anabhoga'<? ' accurs. As opposite to it, 'chetana ' or mental
alertness should be contemplated upon. When mental sloth and insolence are romoved and the mind becomes calm, the
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fault of 'abhoga'210 accurs. To oppose it, one must contemplate on 'upeksa' or detachment.
Sarnadhi, comprising these eight eraser samskaras, is most efficacious. It generates qualities like 'riddhi"! etc. Hence it is said in surra: "a person equipped with the eight eraser samskaras contemplates on the state of 'riddhi'.
In this way the whole world is wrapped around by a wreath of dukha-fire; so seeing and thinking 'just as I do not like suffering so also don't others', one should generate a feeling of compassion for all beings. First of all such 'bhavana' or contemplation should be cultivated towards friends, keeping in mind the aforesaid experiences of dukha or suffering.
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Then, with a mind introvert and staid, one should contemplate like this: 'there is not a single 'sattva' in this beginning-less world who has not been related to me a hundred times'; in this manner contemplate on ordinary beings. When compassion similar to that for one's friends is also generated for common beings, one should through 'chitta-samata>'ormentalequalitycontemplateonone's enemies also. When one is as much concerned-" for one's enemies as for one's friends one should generate identical 'bhavana ' or feeling for all the beings in all the ten directions
one after the other. When the spontaneous desire to remove the dukha of all the sattvas like one would that of one's own dear child is generated, it (i. e. the desire) becomes 'nispanna" or staid and is designated as 'mahakaruna ' as has been described in Aksayamati-sutra. This sequence of 'kripa' bhavana or the contemplation of compassion has been described by the Lord in the Abhidharma sutras etc.
Through the force of the practising of such compassion and the vow of uplifting all 'sattvas ', bodhichitta 26 is
spontaneously born as importunate" for 'annuttar-samyaka- sambodhi' . 28
As has been said in Arya Dasa-dharma-sutra. "Seeing that the beings are unprotected, unsheltered and homeless one should fix one's mind in 'karuna' so that 'anuttara samyaka- sambodhi' is generated. " Even though 'bodhichitta is generated in a bodhisattva through another's adherence to 'samyaka '29still bodhichitta generated in a bodhisattva through the on-rush of compassion is far superior as stated in
Arya-Tathagata-jfiana-mudra. Samadhi by the Lord. He (the Lord) has said that such bodhichitta is highly beneficial in the world even without 'pratipatti'. 30As has been mentioned in Maitreya-Virnoksa. "0 kulputra! just as a broken 'Vajra- ratna'31 superimposes itself on the best of gold ornaments but still retains its identity and removes all want, similarly, 0 kulputra! the 'Vajra-ratna ' of the generation of mind for the attainment of 'sarvajnata ',32even if not accompanied by 'pratipatti', superimposes itself on the gold ornaments of the
'gunas'P of a 'sravaka" and a 'pratyeka-buddha'r" it does not abandon 'bodhichitta' and also removes the wants of the world. "
He who cannot be fully and in every manner educated in the 'paramitas-" should also cultivate bodhichitta, because by holding on to 'upayaya'j? great benefits accrue. As has beensaidinArya-rajavavadaka-sutra:"0king! asyouarea great doer and can do a lot, it is not possible to educate everyone in every way from 'dana-paramita-" to "prajfia- paramita"? so you should constantly re-capitulate', mentally visualise and contemplate on your desire for and faith in prayer and determination or vow" for 'samyaka sambodhi' while walking, stopping, sitting, sleeping, waking, eating, drinking, recollecting all the 'kusala-mulas" or root-merits of the Buddhas, bodhisattvas, pratyeka-buddhas, arya- sravakas, common people, your own of the past, of the present, of the future, and commend them (i. e. kusala miilas), After 'anumodana'P or commending, offer it again to the Buddhas, bodhisattvas, pratyeka-buddhas, arya-sravakas through worship and, after offering, make them common= for the common people. Then transform into 'anuttara- samyaka-sambodhi' all 'kusalas' or merits practised thrice everyday for the attainment of 'sarvajfiata' by sattvas and for the fulfilment of all Buddha-dharmas. " Thus will you, 0 King! having becometpratipanna ' or realised, rule (your kingdom). You will/not have to abandon governance and you will also accomplish 'bodhi-sambhara" or accumulation of bodhi. " He further added: "as the fruit" of your root-merits of 'samyaka-sambodhi', many times you were born among gods, many times among men and during all your godly and human births you will be a ruler. " Thus said in detail.
Bodhichitta, which is the essence of 'pratipatti' or attainment, has been proved to be immensely fruitful. As has been said in Arya-veerdatta-pariprichha: "If the' punya' which is attained from bodhichitta is handsome, it will fill the entire 'akasa-dhatu" and overflow it. " "A person offers as many 'buddha-ksetras':" full of gems as the sands of the
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Ganga to the Lords, another with folded hands bows his mind (asking) for bodhi; the latter worship is superior because it has no end. " says Arya-gandavyliha: "0 Kulputra! bodhichitta is the seed of all Buddha-dharmas". This in detail. "That bodhichitta is of two kinds, "pran idhi t-ch itta r" and 'prasthana-chitta'i'" that is, the mind that is fixed on the goal and the mind that is actually treading the road to bodhi. o Kulaputre! such beings are rare in the world who fix their mind in 'anuttara-samyaka-sambodhi, rarer even are beings who have ventured on the path of 'anuttara-sarnyaka- sambodhi'. May I become a Buddha for the well-being of the whole world; - such a preliminary prayer by the practitioner is called 'pranidhi-chitta ' or fixing of the mind from the moment one holds the vow (,samvara')51 and enters 'sambhara '>' or accumulation (of bodhi), it is termed as 'prasthana-chitta' or the journeying mind.
,Samvara' has to be received from other powerful and learned and 'samvara'-attuned kalyan-mttras. >' In the absence of a favourable 'grahaka' or recepient (or giver? ), bodhichitta should be generated by visualizing the Buddhas and the bodhisattvas as did Arya Manjusri by becoming Arnbara-raja. >' A bodhisattva who has so generated bodhichitta himself practises "dana ' etc. by giving and engages in 'pratipatti' knowing that if one does not oneself give away one cannot (exercise) control (over) others. And, there is no attainment of bodhi without 'pratipatti' or the knowledge of the eight-fold path.
As has been said in Arya-gayasiq;a, "The bodhisattvas with 'pratipatti' achieve bodhi and not those without "pratipatti". It has also been stated in Arya-samadhi-raja: "0 Kurnara! you should thus-wise instruct yourself: 'I shall possess the essence of 'pratipatti. ' What for thus? Because, o Kumaral for one possessing the essence of 'pratipatti', 'anuttara-samyaka-sarnbodhi' is not difficult to attain. "
The "pratipatti ' of the bodhisattva along with the differentiation of 'paramita', 'apramana"" and 'sarngraha- vastu '56 etc. has been described in detail in sutras like
When a bodhisattva has to learn even such material subjects as 'silpa. ';" what then to speak of transcendental dhyana etc. ? Otherwise, how will he fulfil all
his commitments towards sattvas? Hence, in brief, the 'prajfia ' and 'upayaya" of a bodhisattva are neither only 'prajfia' nor only 'upayaya' alone. As has been said in Arya Vimala-kirti-nirdesa: ," prajfia ' without' upayaya ' and "upayaya ' without "prajfia ' are a bondage for the bodhisattva. " 'Upayaya' (means) with 'prajfia' (wisdom) and 'prajfia ' with 'upayaya' are described as release. It is also said in Arya-gayasirsa: "In brief, these are the two paths for a bodhisattva. Equipped with this twin path, the 'rnaha-sattva' bodhisattva will soon be linked with 'anuttara-sarnyaka- sambodhi' or supreme enlightenment. What are these two? These are 'upayaya ' and 'prajfia'.
Here, leaving aside the Perfection of Wisdom, all others such as the perfection of 'dana ', 'samgrah-vastu '59etc. , "ksetra-parisudh. i'j'" 'mahabhoga ', 'bahu-parivara-samp- ata'," 'sattva-paripaka ntrmana'? - etc. the collection of all these is called 'kusala upayaya' of meritorious effort. By thus differentiating through discrimination proper 'upayaya' and by properly fulfilling one's own and others' objectives, one does not contract 'samklesas" just as when mantra-sanctified poison is taken (and no harm comes). And, thus has it been expostulated in the sutra: "Upayaya is the knowledge of
'sarngrah'j'" 'prajna ' the knowledge of differentiation or discrimination/? " It is said in Arya-sradha-baladhana: "What is the skill in upayaya? It is the acquisition of all dharmas. What is 'prajfia'? It is the skill in analysing all dharmas," Both these - 'prajfia' and 'upayaya' and not 'prajria' alone or 'upayaya' alone have always to be practised even by bodhisattvas who have entered the 'bhumis'i'" because a bodhisattva's proper conduct in the "paramitas ' or perfections in all the ten
'bhumis'f? has been taught in Dasabhurnika etc.
Of a bodhisattva who roams calmly in the eighth'" 'bhumi', 'vyuthana'f" (from it) is opposed by the Buddhas.
This is understandable when the following (injunction) is
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o Kulaputral observe the illimitable expanse," the illimitable beings" and the analysis of illimitable dharma varieties" in all the ten directions. Count them and generate Tathagata's 'abhinirhara ' or kusala-appropriation in the same manner. o jina-putral to a bodhisattva who has attained this kind of 'bhumi ', Lord Buddha closes the doors of accumulation ('abhinirhara') which are prominent, numberless and of unlimited 'jnana ', the abhinirhara ' doors" of knowledge through which, by means of the divisions of unlimited knowledge, they generate 'abhinirhara karma t. ? " 0 jina- putra! you have to achieve 'adhimukti"? you have to achieve 'avabodha'? " - final release and enlightenment. I commend it to you, jinaputral I say it to you. If the bodhisattva is not made to enter the doors of the accumulation of 'sarvajnata- jfiana'? ' he will there (Le. at that stage) enter 'parinirvana'"? and the work of all sattvas disintegrate. WI" Thus has it been propounded in detail. Whatever has been propounded in Arya Vimala-kirti-nirdesa and Gayasirsa is in contradiction of this, that is, the aforesaid postulate, because it has been dealt with these in a general sense only.
studied: "therefore, 0 jina-putra! of a bodhisattva who is established in this 'achala'? ? stage and in the collected force of his earlier fixation or 'prani-dhana' and in the fundamental source of dharma," Lord Buddha calls a 'finis' (upasamhara)" to his previously acquired knowledge and He thus addresses him, "well done, well done, 0 Kulputra! This 'paramartha ksanti'73 is for pursuing all Buddha-dharmas. However, o Kulaputra! even so, that intellect which comprises ten 'balas? ' and four qualifications" and is regarded as Buddha dharma's wealth is still not yours. So, yoke yourself into a search for the glory of that Buddha dharma; start effort; do never leave this doorway of 'ksanti', Even then, 0 Kulaputra!
now that you have attained this 'santi-vimoksa-vihara'76 you
must think of and own up those ignorance-common folks
who, in their restless, disturbed state indulge in varying
'klesas' and whose minds are dogged with many arguments
and counter-arguments. And again, 0 Kulputra! remember
your earlier vows to make available to 'sattvas' a state of no
worry through (the cultivation of) true 'jfiana '. 77This,
o Kulaputra! is the dharmata" of all dharmas. Whether or not
Tathagatas" are born, this state"of 'dharmata' and 'dharma-
dhatu"? staysjustas'sarva-dharmasunyata? "and'sarva- vaipulyaisalsooppositetotheabove. Itissaidtherein:
dharrnanu-plabdhi," i. e. the emptiness of all phenomena and the non-true existence of all phenomena. Not only are Tathagatas affected by it but even 'sravakas' and 'pratyeka- buddhas attain to this 'avikalpa-dharmata'<' or the true nature of 'dharrnata' understanding. "
"Again, 0 kulaputra! observe the inmitable'" quality of our body, of our 'jnana ', of 'buddha-ksetra ', of the accurnulation'" of knowledge, of our aura'" and of the immaculate purity of speech. " You too should generate similar accumulation (of kusala in various 'bhurnis'). This sole effulgence, 0 Kulaputral is the transcendental" glow in all dharmas. 0 Kulaputra! such effulgences of Tathagatas are infinite;" eternally? " born, eternally-Iinked. ? ' countless, numberless, un-provable, inimitable, matchless. Generate accumulation (of 'kusala ') in order to understand them. Also,
"0 Manjusril the 'avarana '"? ' or cover of 'prattksepa'" karma' or negating actions of true dharma is very subtle. He who generates 'sobhana'? ' sanjfia ' or fair cognition and he who generates 'asobhana! " sanjfia ' or unbecoming cognition in the Tathagata-propounded dharma, - both retard'P" the true dharma. Such 'dharrna-pratiksepa' is tantamount to a rebuttal of Tathagata. " So saying at length, he again said: "0 Maitreya! to a person who properly"? cultivates the Six Perfections for 'a bodhisattva's sambodhi or enlightenment, the ignorant ones will say, 'a bodhisattva should learn only 'prajfia-paramita,' what with other perfections? ' They regard the other 'upayaya-paramita'I'" as taboo. How do you regard this, 0 Ajita? l09Was that Kasiraja"" a fool to have given away his flesh in lieu of that of the pigeon to the preying falcon? 'No, my Lord,' said: Maitreya. '! ' The Lord said, '0 Maitreya! did
Whatever has been said in Arya-sarva-dharma-samgrah-
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those kusal-rnulas or root-merits (meritorious practices) pertaining to the Six Perfections, which I garnered while practising the conduct of a bodhisattva do me harm? ' Maitreya replied, 'not at all, my Lord! ' The Lord continued, '0 Ajita! you have practised the proper vows of 'dana-paramita' for sixty 'kalpas'. 112If even you practise 'prajfia-paramita' for sixty 'kalpas,' those ignorant ones will again say, 'a single 'naya '! " or path can lead to bodhi; for example, 'sunyata naya' or the path of emptiness', thishas been said in detail. It is also mentioned in Vairochanabhi-sambodhi: 'This 'jfiana'
f 'sarvajfiata' has 'karuna ' or compassion as its root, it is the 'hetu' or cause of 'bodhichitta ' and is the end':" of 'upayaya'. Therefore, bodhisattvas should always practise both of them. "
This also proves that the Tathagatas are never installed-" in 'nirvana'. So also the Lord will not stay put in 'nirvana' by accepting the wealth of the fruit of such grand enjoyments: "rupa-kaya";! '? "ksetra '! "? and "parivara T'" attained through the efforts of 'dana ' etc. ; nor will these be their station in 'samsara ' owing to the total removal of all their delusion,'! " for 'viparyasa ' or delusion alone is the root of cyclic existence. This 'pratipatti' or realisation born of "prajfia" and 'upayaya ' will aid the stoppage of the consequences+" of superimposition! " and contradiction'P and, give birth to the 'rnadhyama marga' or the Middle Way, because "prajfia ' prevents the consequences of super- imposition and 'upayaya ' prevents the consequences of contradiction. Hence it is said in Arya-dharma-samgeeti: 'Lord Buddha's attributes+" and their expressionl" are conducive to the creation of 'rupa ' - kaya or physical form and not unto the 'abhisamaya'125 of 'dharma' - kaya'126 or subtle form. Again the generation! " or creation affected by the Tathagatas through 'prajfia ' and 'upayaya ' should be followed or pursued in preference to other factors. "
Again, it has been said: "Those who regard dharma as a mere boat should give up dharma too; of course, before that adharma must also be forsaken. " This has been said in order
that belief in opposing or contrary dharmas is abolished and not that no support be taken for the realisation of the objective. Hence, it has been said: "dharma should be accepted but not stuck! " to. " It means that it should not be accepted from the wrong! " end or contrary approach. Whatever has been said about the material fruits of 'dana' etc. has been said only about the 'dana' practised as aforesaid by
people without 'prajna' and for those who are satisfied with it as such, in order to encourage them to practise further root merit, otherwise, it would go contrary to all that has been earlier said in Arya-vimala-kirti-nirdda etc. Thus it is established that 'prajfia ' and 'upayaya ' should both be cultivated. So 'dana-paramita' etc. accompanied by 'prajfia' (wisdom), alone and in no other manner attain an identity, a designation. P? Therefore, one must strive for the generation
of 'prajfia' for sanctifying 'dana' etc. through absorption in
'samadhi' . 131 132
Now, 'srutamayi prajfia ' should be generated first.
Through it one grasps the meaning of 'agama'. 133 Then, through 'chintamayi'" prajfia ' one pierces or analyses the Inrelltgible'" and the dubiousv" meanings. Deciding in this manner one should contemplate on real'F and not unreal':" connotation, otherwise true cognition or ultimate knowledge will not dawn owing to contemplation on the contrary aspect and non-refutation, of doubt. P? In that case, 'bhavana ' will become meaningless as in the case of 'tirthikas '. 140 As the
Lord has said in Samadh iraja also: "If one perceives "nairatrnya T" in all dharmas and, so perceiving, one practises 'bhavana ' or meditation, it will become the 'hetu' or cause of nirvana-fruit; other causes are no-wise for 'santi' or
peace. "
Hence, by means of contemplative wisdom and analysis
through logic and scriptures, one must meditate on the true nature of 'bhutas'. That all things, in the ultimate sense, are non-existent'" has been concluded on the basis of logic and scriptures. As has been stated in the scripture called, Arya- dharma-samgiti: "non-generation alone is true; other dharmas
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like generation 143are not true. " It is stated as being in accordance with 'paramartha' or the ultimate meaning. Non- generation (i. e.
non-true existence) is true. However, in the ultimate analysis, there is neither 'utpada ' (generation or being) nor 'anutpada ' (non-generation or non-being), because that or 'paramartha ' is beyond all classification or label. Again, it is said in the same scripture: "0 kulputra! the attitude or position of the world is dependent on relying! " on 'utpada ' (generation or being) and 'nirodha' or cessation' (non-being). Therefore, the supremely compassionate Tathagata, in order to abolish the world's areas of fear had said for practical reasons, that 'there is birth, there is cessation', and certainly not (for the reason) that, in the ultimate sense, any dharma is born. " It is stated in Arya- Buddha-samgiti also: "What is the query about 'yonisa ',145 what 'yoni? '146It has been said that non-generation is 'yoni' and the query about it is 'yonisa prichha. ? "" And, again: all dharmas are 'chakara! " mukha' because they are without beginning without cessation; also, all dharmas are 'abhava- mukha'"? because they are void or empty by nature. "
Arya-satya-dvya-vibhaga also states: "the commonality of 'anutpada ' or non-generation is the commonality of all dharmas or phenomena. " Prajfia-paramita says: "0 Subhuti, form is devoid of the 'svabhava' (self-existence) of form just as the bounds of 'vijfiana ' (discriminatory cognition) are devoid of the (true) self-existence or svabhava of 'vijnana ' owing to the emptiness of all self-nature. " Hastika-ksya also states: "nothing exists whose generation or birth is possible. Ignorant people look for the possible from the impossible dharmas. " H has been said in Pita-putra-samagama: "all dharmas during the three times (past, present and future) have been identical. All dharmas were 'svabhava-rahita' or without true self-existence in the past and are so in the present also. " Thus should it be examined through 'agama ' (scriptures). It is not possible for others to refute such conclusions from the scriptures through logic established. So, examining through logic must be done.
Now about logic, briefly. Is the generation of 'bhavas ' (things, phenomena, etc. ) without cause or with cause? It cannot be without cause because it is occasionally noticeable. In the absence of any reliance on 'karana ' or cause and because of the (intervening) interval, why should not things generate (themselves) always and everywhere as if in
'utpada-kala ' or an era of creation? If there is no interval from the time of non-generation, there will be no generation (of things) even at the time of generation. Thus there is no generation without cause. There is no generation with cause either. There can be no creation or being from an imaginary, permanent 'hetu' like an 'iswara'P" as believed by tirthikas'
(heretics) because creation is noticeable (as occurring) at intervals ('kramasa'). Of 'avikala "? ' or constant causes the result cannot be occasional owing to its nirapeksattvata'? or (independent) constancy. 'Iswara', etc. being self-competent need not depend on any other (cause) for. assistance as he is permanent. There need be no dependence for the independent. These 'Iswara' etc. being devoid of omnipotence
are non-existent in essence like the son of a barren woman. A thing having capacity for 'artha-kriya'l53 is incapable of generating any act in an occasional sequence as has been already discussed. There is no simultaneous creation either, because, by creating everything at the same time, if it can repeat such creation later on also then, owing to a repetition of its omnipotent nature, there will arise the possibility of the
creation of things as before. If there is no repetition and the
previous nature is abandoned, the possibility of 'anityata' or
impermanence would arise.
Hence, nothing by the designation of 'nitya' or
permanent exists. The Lord has said, "There is a super- irnposition" of 'asata'! " (the non-existent). Belief in such artificial or non-existent things as 'akasa',15(, 'nirodh'"? and nirvana (space, cessation and release), etc. is super- imposition. " Therefore, there is none of the creation or
"utpada ' from 'nitya' or permanence; neither is there any from 'anitya' or impermanence, because owing to the
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nothingness of these during the past and the future no creation is possible from them; otherwise too, it would be a creation without cause or 'hetu'? As there is no creation in similar or dissimilar times, there can be no creation from the present time also. Thus there is no simultaneity of generating time; otherwise, for causal reasons, it will give rise to simultaneity of generation or creation also. There is no generation from variation in time either, because if it takes place - after a difference in time, there could be generation in the past also. If, in regarding creation as from 'avyavadhana'P" or non-interval, interval occurs, all 'ksanas' or moments will merge into one 'ksat)a'159 and, in
consequence, a 'kalpa ' will (also) squeeze into 'ksana' just as the linking of atoms in all directions will reduce the 'pinda '160 or mass also to a mere atom. Linkage with a single part makes
a moment alive (savayava). '? ' Things are not self-created either owing to this premise being at par with the non-cause postulate and the concept of the creator being self- contradictory. There is no possibility of generating from both because of the conjunction of the drawbacks of both postulates.
Hence things are without any substantial existence, i. e. unrelated in the ultimate sense. This is not contrary to the (teachings of) scriptures even though in an apparent or illusory sense, creation does appear to exist. So the Lord has said: 'Things exist only in 'samvrita' and not 'paramartha '; The delusion about the 'nissvabhava' of things is called the 'samvriti satya' . 162
Such-like logic has also been endorsed by the Lord in sutras like Salistamba? By itself, from another or from both and without cause, there can be no creation.
Now, let us examine by another argument. 'Bhavas' are of two kinds; with form and without form. Of these, pitched, etc. which have form are not of one 'svabhava ' (entity, nature) being composed of different atoms. Being situated fore and aft and when divided into directions like east, etc. the atom's existence is not established. And, being in (a state
BHA VANAKRAMA-I 27
00 conglomeration, they cannot be said to possess different self-existence or 'svabhava'. There is no other existence of a thing barring single (existence) and multiple (existence). Therefore, things with form are 'nissabhava' or non-existent in the ultimate sense like a form seen in a dream. This has been stated by the Lord in Arya Lankavatara: "0 maharnati (the greatly wise); even the horns of a cow, when divided into atoms, do not exist. Even atoms cannot retain atomic qualities or characteristics when divided. "
Things which are without form are equally non-existent (in essence), when similarly examined. So also things outwardly appearing as blue etc. though not truly existent are only 'vijfiana skandhal'" or an aggregate of cognition, though without form but appearing as blue. The Lord has said, "there are no apparent forms; only the mind sees itself (i. e. its own superimposed reflection). ", Therefore, the blue etc. being seen in different shapes and because of the received and the recepient being incapable of the same existing nature as a consequence of the contradiction between the one and the many, the 'one' cannot be of the nature of 'many'. When the non-existence of the one is proved, the existence of the many is also impossible, because the 'many' is only a conglomeration of the 'one's',
If these manifestations of form etc. are falsel64 or insubstantial and are accepted as such, 'vijnana ' itself will become false because the cognition of the form will be no different from form itself. 'Vijfiana' or cognition has no other form apart from its own manifest form. Forms etc. do not shine by themselves but when they are cognised as false, cognition itself becomes false. That is why the Lord has said: "all cognition is maya or illusory" . 165So the one and the many being non-existent are not true in the ultimate sense. The Lord has said this very thing in Lankavatara: "The nature of things is like the reflection in a mirror which is devoid of both singularity and plurality; although it (i. e. the reflection) appears to be there but, in fact, it is not there. " Devoid of "ekattva ' or singularity and 'anyattva' or multiplicity, it is
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BHA VANAKRAMA-I 29 Thus staying in 'samatha ' collections like 'sila '! " etc. ,
bowing to all Buddhas and bodhisattvas at a spot convenient to the mind after indicating' papa '174and commending 'purrya'T" keeping in view 'mahakaruna' which aims at the welfare of the entire world, with body erect (but at ease), sitting on a congenial seat (or in the comfortable posture of 'sukhasana')! " assuming the lotus pose, one should practise 'samadhi' or meditational repose.
First of all mind should be briefly fixed on all aspects of the object of contemplation so that it becomes a solid or massed object (to reflect on). In brief, an object is of two kinds: with form and without form. In order to ward off the defect of deviation! " of an adikarmika' or novice initiate, it is proper to have a small or brief 'alambana'? " only. When one has mastered 'rnanaskara ' or mental actualisation one can take to a larger or detailed 'alambana' by refining or rectifying the process through the differentiations of 'skandha ' and 'dhatu' ete. As has been said in Arya-samadhi- nirmochana etc. : "the yogis have many kinds of 'alambanas' like the eighteen types of 'sunyata. '? "
Here also, for the good of sentient beings, the Lord has spokenabout'vastubhedal'"in'abhtdharrnaT"etc. in accordance with the differences between the formless (vastu or thing) and the corporeal (things) in brief, medium and detailed manners. For the removal of superimpositions and falsities, the thing or the object should be regarded as a mere mass or collection of 'skandha ' and 'dhatu '. Thus being assured of the collection with respect to all things, the mind should again and again be brought around to concentrate on that (massed aspect of things).
In case the mind, in between, deviates and gets outward- prone due to 'raga' or attachment, one must silence such aberration by reflecting on the 'asubha ' or unwholesome (responsible for deviation) and stabilise the mind again and again: The sequence of reflection on 'asubha' has not been mentioned here in detail for fear of dilation. When the mind appears to be disinterested, one should reflect on the
neither one nor many. 'Buddhi' or intellect does not take over the nature of existence of that which it examines. Therefore, these are said to be "nirabhilasa T " and 'nissvabhava ' i. e. unbiased and without essence. "
By determining the (true) meaning of things in this manner through deliberative intellect one must generate meditative wisdom in order to manifest the true meaning of things. It has been said in sutras like Arya-ratna-rnegha: "the true meaning never becomes manifest or clear merely through listening (to a lot of expositions). Experience comes only to such as those who practise 'pratipatti',"? or through comprehension. The cover of darkness lying over the 'samyaka' or true meaning cannot be removed without the dawn of the clear light of 'jfiana '. If meditation is done profusely the clear knowledge of the hidden meaning is also born. If 'jfiana ' comes to those who contemplate on 'asubha' and 'prithvi-kritsna'l'" only, what then to speak of those who meditate on 'bhutas 'I" The success of meditation as the harbinger of the fruit of true knowledge has been described in Arya-samadharaja: "I tell you, I put it across to you that as much as a person may analyse or indulge in logic so much will his mind be moulded in accordance with the conclusion he arrives at. " This has been said in detail. Hence, he who wants to' manifest truth or wishes to grasp the essence of things should practise 'bhavana', - meditation.
Herein, the yogi should first cultivate 'samatha"? or calm in order to stabilise the mind. Being 'chanchala ' or flippant like water, the mind cannot become poised without the basis of "samatha '. Nor can a person whose mind is not 'samahita "? "or tranquil can understand the truth of things Cyatha bhutama '), the essence. The Lord said, "one with a tranquil mind understands the 'yatha-bhuta '. Tranquillity comes quickly to a person indifferent towards the desire for gain etc. and to one who is of correct disposition, is of the nature of dukha-awareness! " ete. and is on the path of 'veerya'172or effort. Hence 'dana' etc. have been mentioned repeatedly in Arya-sandhi-nirmochana etc.
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31
advantages of meditation and concentrate on one's interest on it. Whenever faults of deviation or distraction appear, one must quieten down one's disinterestedness. When owing to having been overcome by 'styana'182 and 'middha'T" one's mind does not get clearly absorbed in holding on to the prop or 'alambana', then either through contemplation Cbhavana') on a luminous cognition C'aloks samjfia') or through a mental visualisation of a supremely joyous object like Buddha etc. and by so calming down 'Iaya' or mental lethargy, one should again firmly hold on to the 'alambana'.
When the mind looks naughty in between through some remembrance of a previous joy or enjoyment one should reflect on the 'samvega '184of 'anityata' or transitoriness and calm down its naughtiness. Then, one must try to persuade the mind towards that very prop (alarnbana) without 'abhisamskara'l'" or variation.
When the mind, shorn of both lethargy and insolence appears to be properly engaged of its own volition. l'" then, through suspension of 'abhoga'P" or effort, detachment should be practised. When 'satyabhoga '! " or true effort (after pacifying 'laxity etc. ) is practised in a state of 'sama- pravritti'P? or balance, 'viksepa "? "or mental confusion (i. e. complicated samadhi-state) occurs, (i. e. the mind is disturbed) .
When the mind, without 'abhisamskara' or variation and of its own volition, becomes engaged in that very 'alambana' one should consider 'samatha ' or abiding calm as achieved. The nature of 'samatha ' is the one-pointedness of the mind, a characteristic common to all types of tranquillity, its 'alambana' is not fixed, though: The Lord has spoken of this path in Arya-prajfiaparamita etc. also. He says, "(the sekeer) fixes Csthapita') his mind there, establishes Csamsthapita') it, pinpoints Cavasthapita') it, houses Cupasthapita') it, controls ('damana') it, calms ('santa') it, stills ('vyupasanta') it, concentrates Cekagra ') and rests in meditative equipose Csamahita')". Th~s described in nine nomenclatures.
Now, here 'sthapayati' means 'binds the mind to the
'alambana': 'sarnsthapayati' means 'to engage the mind to that prop or 'alambana' systematically; 'avasthapayati' means 'on discovering confusion, removes it; 'upa-sthapayati means 'again fixes the mind to that very 'alambana' after removing 'viksepa', 'damayati' means 'generates 'rati' or desire for the prop; 'sainayati' means 'subdues 'a-rati' or non-desire (for alambana) after observing the faults of 'viksepa ' (deviation)'; 'vyupasamayati ' means, 'calms down indolence and do- nothing-ness that have crept in', 'ekoti-karoti' means 'tries to
enter the 'alambana' without 'abhisamskara', 'samadadhati' means 'practises 'upeksa' after attaining tranquillity of mind or 'chitta-sarnata', that is, practises withdrawal from the world or 'sarnanvakarana '. '? ' These are the meanings (of the above terms) as given by Arya Maitreya and by former acharyas.
Briefly speaking, all samadhis have six faults? " sloth,'? ' forsaking the 'alambana "? ' mental lethargy. ! " insolence. l'" non-effort"? and effort. '? " To overcome or wipe out these 'dosas' one must meditate on the eight eraser-samskaras,"? which are faith,2oo desire to act,"? ' industriousness. >" alacrity. t'" non-forgetfulness,201 alertriess. v'" mental refinernent-? " and equanimity. v" Of these, the first four are an antidote to 'kausidya' or sloth. Thus, through 'sraddha' or faith, accompanied by indications of the generation of correct knowledge-? " of the efficacy of sarnadhi, the yogi's will to
practise it is born; from will or desire C'abhilasa) one should commence the cultivation of 'veerya ' or effort. Through effort one attains bodily and mental activity. Activeness of body and mind removes slothfulness. Therefore, 'sraddha ' etc. should be contemplated upon for the sake of warding off 'kausidya ' or sloth etc. 'Smriti ' or non-forgetfulness is the opposite of the giving up of 'alambana'. 'Samprajfiaya ' or awareness is the opposite of mental lethargy and insolence, because it clearly exposes the reality of both. If mental lethargy and insolence are not subdued, the fault of 'anabhoga'<? ' accurs. As opposite to it, 'chetana ' or mental
alertness should be contemplated upon. When mental sloth and insolence are romoved and the mind becomes calm, the
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fault of 'abhoga'210 accurs. To oppose it, one must contemplate on 'upeksa' or detachment.
Sarnadhi, comprising these eight eraser samskaras, is most efficacious. It generates qualities like 'riddhi"! etc. Hence it is said in surra: "a person equipped with the eight eraser samskaras contemplates on the state of 'riddhi'.
