"[1] A bodhisattva can be recognised as a
Spiritual
Friend, perfect in every respect, if he has eight qualities: [a] He keeps the discipline of the Bodhisattva Vow with- out fault or failing.
Richard-Sherburne-A-Lamp-for-the-Path-and-Commentary-of-Atisha
As the siitras say:
"If a:ll realms throughout the world were to become one huge enclosure of water, and one man worked at dipping the water from it with the tip of a single hair for hundreds of thousands of years - that water might diminish some- what; but there is no such lessening of the realm of creatures. "
And the Deeds ofSamantabhadra: The RoyalResolves also says:
"The extent of all creatures is as vast as the limits of space. "1
When one has made creatures his object to that extent, then he can beget the Thought.
Love
"BECAUSE THE THOUGHT OF LOVE IS THE PREREQUISITE" refers to perceiving [all creatures] as one's mother2 - from which
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 43
arises the thought of repaying their kindness: that is Love. Then out of the thought of Love comes the thought of Compassion, And from the thought of Compassion, the Enlightenment Thought emerges. That is why I said the Thought of Love is prerequisite. [287a]. The next seven lines follow this same theme.
Ritual for Begetting the Thought
"MUST BEGET THIS THOUGHT OF ENLIGHTENMENT" means that after taking the Triple Refuge, and carefully offering whatever he can in Worship to the Three Jewels and Guru Spiritual Friend, one then makes the maQ. qala in the presence of the Guru. Then with good and sincere inten- tion, he reflects within himself: "This Guru is the same as the Buddha seated before me. I too shall accomplish all the great deeds of all the Buddhas of the past, present and future. " Then kneeling on both knees and offering a flower
in his folded hands, he declares three times:
" 0 Omniscient One, epitome of wisdom, Purifier of the Wheel of Life,
I have no refuge in any Lord,
Except at your lotus feet.
0 Heroofcreatures,maytheGreatSage Bestow his kindness upon me!
May that Holy One grant to me the
Supreme and highest Enlightenment Thought! "
Then the Guru Spiritual Friend invites to witness all the Blessed Buddhas of all the realms throughout the universe, and all the Bodhisattvas who dwell on the Great Level, and all the Guru Spiritual Friends of past and present. In their presence he cleanses his [conscious] stream with the ritual of the Good Practice and the Progress in Bodhisattva
Practice. When the disciple has likewise thoroughly purified [his stream], he again makes his petition to the Guru with flower in hand. [287b] The Guru then reflects - without thought of profit, esteem or fame, or of [the disciple's] tone or verses or gifts-"Ah, this is wonderful! That in this age of great dread there should come forth a holy creature like
? 44 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
this! It is marvellous! " Such is the way to perform a ceremony [for begetting the Thought] with true Higher Intention.
Interpretations on the Thought
There have been different interpretations about Enlighten- ment Thought among the Acaryas of old in my country: King Indrabhiiti, Nagarjuna,, Sant}deva, Asanga, Daf! l~trasena, Candragomin, Siira, Santirak~ita and others. The opinions of these great scholars may differ on various points: [1] on the very Thought of Enlightenment itself; [2] on the ritual for the Thought of Enlightenment; [3] on methods for growth in the Thought; [4] in the method of Training [to be observed] with the Thought.
[1] On the first point, some Acaryas say that the Enlightenment Thought is the Resolve nurtured in the Mundane Paths when one is practising out of devotion. Others hold that Resolution is the Thought in so far as it depends upon an object [creatures], and is a species of Relative Truth. Others that Resolution is the Thought when it produces the basic virtues equivalent to the Equip-
ment Path's "Aids to Liberation". And others that Resolu- tion, which has yet to actualise its merit, is the Thought. Still others, that simply the Resolve to take Perfect Enlightenment as one's objective is the Thought, as in [the difference between] "Desiring to go, and [actually] going. " There are other opinions besides these, but to include them would make my text too big. [288a]
[2] For the different rituals [for begetting the Thought], one should consult the texts of the above-mentioned scholars.
[3] On methods of growth in the Thought, some hold that it grows through begetting it in front of a person; but some say it should not be produced except in the presence of a Buddha; others hold that it grows through the practice of
the Four Modes [of Compassion: seeing creatures as mothers: repayment of their kindness: compassion: Enlightenment Thought].
[4] There have been differences about the method of
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 45
Training [involved], depending on five [kinds of] bodhisattvas:
[a] those who have first produced the Thought;
[b] those who are entering the Practice Path;
[c] those who will not turn back;
[d] those who have attained Patience [in seeing that] phenomena do not arise;
[e] those who have but one rebirth left.
Some hold that a Training pertains only to what is [pre- scribed] for the first two. Som~ hold that everything preached in the siitras must be observed. Some that only the Training of the Equipment Path need be observed.
Others that neither these Trainings nor any like them [need be observed]. Still others hold that the principal Trainings for those who have taken the Refuges are the ones [to observe] - instructions found in such siitras as the Stalks in Array, the Embracing the Roots of Virtue, and the
Producing the Power of Faith Sutra - but still the Eight Teachings on Forgetting and Not Forgetting the Enlighten- ment Thought [fou,nd] in the Questions of Kasyapa Sutra
are also to be kept.
These are only a few examples [of the differences]. Ifl set
down all the systems of the great scholars of the past, my text would be far too large. These great Acaryas were Mahayana Path's great men of philosophy, transformed by great love and compassion, their minds steady in both [the resolve and progress] aspects of Enlightenment Thought. Some of them had attained the power of the Great Seal. 3 Some saw the Truth [directly]. [288b] And the ones who
achievedthe"HighestMundaneVirtue"4 receivedinstruc- tion from Buddhas in Apparition Bodies. We must keep in mind that these m~n represerlt the Great Path itself, since their interpretations of the siitras are [at the same time] things declared by the Blessed One himself. However, my Gurus taught me that one should hold the system presented him by his own Gurus.
At least there are no differences of opinion about the method of Ritual for begetting the resolution thought for
? 46 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
Enlightenment. , The excellent Acaryas Nagarjuna, Asanga, and Santideva are all in accord. And my own Gurus, venerable and glorious Bodhibhadra and SuvarQadvipa, scholars of our own day, follow their system. IinturnfollowedmyGurusinthatsmallritual5 Icomposed for a group of my disciples; and mY, presentation is simply that of Nagarjuna, Asanga, and Santideva, and can be summarised as follows:
Preludes to Begetting the Thought
Two things are prerequisite, like watering, so to speak, for growth of the wish-granting tree of Enlightenment Thought:
[1] purification of mind, and
[2] presentation of gifts to the Guru.
The presentation of gifts should be made as described in passages of the Good Age Sutra and the Great Compassion. [289a] The purification of mind is what I have already pointed out in the Resolves o f Samanta-bhadra, and can be performed with the method of the Progress in Bodhisattva
J? ractice. Then, using the ritual either of Asanga or Santideva, and cultivating the Four Infinitudes as the pre- requisites, beget the Thought of Supreme Enlightenment. This is the path of the Great Wagons, and the religious tradition of the Superior Person, handed down from Guru to Guru.
Praises o f the Thought
What is unique about the Thought of Enlightenment when it rises in the [conscious] stream of the disciple who con- ceives it? The Blessed One gave the answer to that in this passage from the Sutra Set Forth By Alqayamati
[Imperishable Mind]:
"[Then] Ak~ayamatisaid: 'V enerableSariputra, the very first Thought of Enlightenment that bodhisattvas con- ceive is imperishable. And why is that so? Because it is pure. It rises without any influence of the passions. It
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 47
rises with tolerance because it has no desire for other vehicles. It rises with firmness because it is not anxious to argue with opponents. It is unassailable by any of the Evil Ones.
"It is solid because it masters perfectly all roots of virtue. It is permanent because it knows well that all composite things are impermanent. It rises without hesitation because it embraces correctly all teachings of the Buddha. It is without distress because it uses no false powers. It rises continually because it is unshakeable.
"This Thought is peerless because it has no kin. lt is like a diamond cutting through all appearances. [289b] It is infinite, storing up immeasurable merit. It rises with equal [love] toward all creatures. It is perfectly pure because it is completely without corruption. It is im- maculate because of its clear light of insight. It rises with great conviction because it does not forsake its Higher
Intention. It stretches far beyond because it is like and equal to space. It rises in great breadth because it makes all creatures its scope.
"This Thought rises without obscuration because it is given over to dispassionate knowledge. It is a servant to all because of its constant great compassion. Because it knows [the value of] the ritual for Bestowal [of merit], it rises continually. Because it is the Thought taught by the Omniscient One, it is the prerequisite. It is worthy of study because it is not found in other vehicles, and any creatures studying them will not see it.
"This Thought rises adorned with the Equipment of Merit. It rises with realisation because of its Equipment of Knowledge. It is the seed of all Buddha virtues. It is not shattered by any phenomena. It is the home of all happy things,
"It rises [already] accumulating its equipment of Giving. It rises exalted in its resolve because of its equipment of Conduct. It rises in reverence because of its equipment of Patience. It rises invincible because of its equipment in Zeal. It rises with the marks of serenity because of its equipment in Meditation. It rises without hindrance because of its equipment of Insight. [290a]
? 48 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
"Because it has amassed great Love, it rises without ill-will. Because it has amassed great Compassion, it rises with firm roots. Because it has amassed great Joy, it abides in delight and gladness and supreme joy. In its grea:t Equanimity, it is undisturbed by either happiness
or suffering.
"It is blessed with the benediction of the Buddha. Its
method is constant because of the unbroken ranks [of believers] in the Three Jewels. It rises as so well pro- claimed in the assemblies of all the Buddha-realms throughout the uniyerse.
"0 Venerable Sariputra, can such a thought of the Omniscient On~ ever perish? '
"To which [Sariputra answered]: '0 Noble Youth, it cannot. Anyone who holds that such a Thought of the Omniscient One perishes, holds that space perishes! '
"Then Ak~ayamatisaid: 'Venerable Sariputra, that is right. The Thought of the Omniscient One is imperish- able. And since [a bodhisattva's] Enlightenment Thought is the root of the Omniscient One's Thought, it too is imperishable. ' " 6
Further on the Siitra continues:
"This [resolute] intention [of Enlightenment Thought] is genuine because it is not artificially made. It is not artificially made because it cannot be swayed. It is un- wavering because it comprehends completely. It fully comprehends because it has no deceit. It has no deceit because it is sincere. Sincere because pure, pure because clear, clear because without dissimulation. " 7
The siitra continues at length in this fashion, and deserves to be studied.
Such then is the Enlightenment Thought unique to Mahayana, the Thought which is superior by far to the whole world, the Thought which rejects no creature. This is the Thought that Bodhisattvas on the Great Level purified
and made pure. [290b] They protected it and kept it un- diminished, increasing it from Level to Level. And because
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 49
it is the Thought of all Buddhas, the bodhisattva who begets it, is ever after protected by the gods who rejoice in the Teaching. At the hour of death, he dies rejoicing, and the gods protect him through the Intermediate State and in his mother's womb and throughout childhood. All his basic virtues continue through [into his next rebirth] and his mind retains its stream of merit.
As Acarya Santideva says in his Progress in Practice:
"All other virtue is like the plaintain tree: When its fruit ripens, itself begins to decay; But the Tree of Enlightenment Thought grows Ever greater, and its fruit never decays. " 8
Therefore, since the Thought ofEnlightenment is imperish- able, all its virtues [of growth] in the Mundane and Supramundane Paths and their fruition at the Buddha Level are imperishable.
Resolution-Thought of Enlightenment
Qualities
At this point, having described the kind of Thought that arises, I wanted to speak about its beneficial qualities, and so I wrote:
EVERY QUALITY THA T BELONGS TO
BEGETTING THOUGHTS OF SUCH RESOLUTION. [Stanza 12]
I referred to the qualities that Maitreya spoke about to Sudhana "IN HIS SUTRA, THE STALKS IN ARRAY" [Stanza 12]:
" 0 Noble Y outh, this Enlightenment Thought is like the seed of all the Buddha's teachings. It is like a field because it makes the good deeds ofall creatures grow. Like earth because the whole world rests on it. Like Vaisravaq. a [the god of riches], because it destroys all poverty. Like a father because it protects all bodhisattvas. It is like a
? 50 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
royal wish-fulfilling jewel because it grants all boons. Like a good flask filling all aspirations. It is like a lance because it vanquishes all corruptions, its enemies. Like armour because it wards off all careless activity of mind. Like a sword because it beheads corruption. Like an axe because it chops down the tree of corruption. Like a weapon because it defends from rebirth.
"It is like a hook because it snatches one out of the river of saf! 1sara. Like a cyclone because it scatters all the veils of obscuration. It is like a motto because it sum- marises all the? resolves and practices of a bodhisattva. Like a shrine for all the worlds of gods and men and demigods. These are the qualiti'es of the Enlightenment Thought, 0 Noble Youth, and it has infinite variety of other attributes too. "9
In accord with this passage are the words I quoted [in Stanzas 14-17] from the Questions of the Householder
Vlradatta, and they shc:mld be considered here also. Studying the Sutras
There are many siitras and great discourses on these attributes by men like Nagarjuna and Santideva, but I do not present them here for fear of enlarging my text. But to acknowledge those sources, I wrote:
READ THAT SUTRA OR HEAR IT FROM A GURU, AND WHEN
THE INFINITE BENEFITS OF PERFECT ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT
ARE SEEN, THEN FOR THAT VERY REASON YOU W ill BEGET THE THOUGHT AGAIN AND AGAIN. [Stanza 13]
On the words "READ THAT SUTRA", I quote from Santideva's
Compendium o f Training:
"The precepts of Bodhisattva training appear most abundantly in the siitra collections. [291b] They state both what a Bodhisattva practises and what the precepts of his training are. Therefore always respect siitra study, lest through ignorance of them, transgressions occur and one go on to forfeit [the training altogether]. "10
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 51 He also says in his root text [ofthe Compendium]:
"By never leaving the Spiritual Friend And by ever studying the siitras . . . "11 [The Thought is preserved. ]
And in the Progre~s in Practice he says:
"One must study the siitras, and the Sutra o f Akii. Sagarbha is one that
Should be studied from the very start. After that, the Compendium ofthe Sutras Composed by Nagarjuna is the one
That should be studied next. " 12
Reliance on the Guru
By my words, "HEAR IT FROM A GURU" (Stanza 13], Jmean the kind of Guru who causes one to beget the Thought. And if he is that, then he is also a Guru in the lineage of Asanga as well as of Santideva. ,
Now in the Stalks in Array Siitra, when Srisambhava sees that [Sudhana] is wondering why he must rely on a Guru, he says:
"Noble Y outh, a bodhisattva rightly guided by a Spiritual Friend does not fall into bad destinies. A bodhisattva protected by a Spiritual Friend makes no mistakes in his training. Motivated by a Spiritual Friend, he transcends this world. Showing reverence to a Spiritual Friend, he perseveres in not forgetting any practices. Adopted by a Spiritual Friend, he is unassailable by any deed or corruption.
"It is the Spiritual Friend who impresses on him the things that need to be done. [292a] He turns his indiffer- ence aside and drives him forth from the city of sa~sara. Therefore, Noble Youth, since that is so, you must walk continually in the presence of Spiritual Friends.
"With mind like the earth, not sinking under the burden of all things. With mind like a diamond, not changing. With mind like a pup, not easily provoked. With mind like the Cakravala Range, unshakeable by
? 52 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
any suffering. With mind like a servant, uncomplaining in any work. Like a sweeper, dismissing overweening pride. Like a wagon, carrying heavy burdens. Like a ship, unwearied in its comings and goings. With mind like a wise son, ever studying the face of the Spiritual Friend - with such a mind give reverent service to the Spiritual Friend.
"Noble Youth, you must see yourself as a sick man, and the Spiritual Friend as the doctor. His instructions are your medicine, and the cure of your sickness is taking to heart his prescriptions. " 13
There is a similar passage [in the Stalks in ArrayJin the chapter about the monk Sagaramegha. And in the Questions o f Ugra, there is this:
" 0 Householder, if a bodhisattva [has learned] to read and recite any four-line stanzas about Giving, Conduct, or Patience, Zeal, Meditation or Insight, or about accumulating the equipment for the Bodhisattva Path, [! hen] he must give reverence for that doctrine to the Acarya from whom he [first] heard, or learned to read and recite them. [292b] But even if he reverenced and attended and supported that Acarya for as many aeons as
[those stanzas] have names and words and letters, the reverence due that Acarya, 0 Householder, would still not be enough- much less the reverence due the doctrine itself. "14
There are other pertinent accounts of relying on a Guru that should be studied in the Vajrapii1Ji Initiation Tantra, and the chapter on Sadaprarudita in the Perfection of Insight, as well as [the example of] AnathapiJ]. qada.
Noble Asanga speaks about Reliance on the Guru in his Bodhisattva Levels in this way:
"There are certain questions one must ask about this matter: [1] What qualities make a bodhisattva a Spiritual Friend? [2] What qualities make him effective as a
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 53
Spiritual Friend? [3] What qualities make him stand out as an inspiration for faith? [4] What functions does he perform in acting as a Spiritual Friend? [5] What are the qualities of Reliance on a Guru? [6] What ideas should one have in mind for listening to the Doctrine from a Spiritual Friend? [7] What things should one avoid think- ing about when listening to the Doctrine from a Spiritual Friend?
"[1] A bodhisattva can be recognised as a Spiritual Friend, perfect in every respect, if he has eight qualities: [a] He keeps the discipline of the Bodhisattva Vow with- out fault or failing. [b] He is very learned because his mind is pure. [c] He has a comprehending mind and has
acquired all possible virtue arising from contemplation. [d] His loving heart is endowed with compassion. [293a] He puts aside his own happiness in this life and works for the good of others. [e] He is aware of the terrible fear others may have when the Doctrine is being taught, and [displays] unfailing confidence and fearlessness himself.
[f] He is patient in the face of contempt, censure or flattery, the unpleasantness of malicious gossip, and all the devious ways creatures have. [g] His mind does not tire in his strong and incessant teaching ofthe Doctrine to the four assemblies [of the Community]. [h] He has
the gift of clarity and does not obscure the reality behind words.
"[2] A bodhisattva will be effective in acting as a Spiritual Friend if he has five qualities: [a] He desires the happiness and benefit of others right from the start.
[b] He knows what that happiness and benefit consists of. [c] He has unerring judgement. [d] Using every method andmeansofteachingtheDoctrine,hehasthepowerand ability to convert any creature capable of it, and his mind does not tire. [e] Impartial in compassion, he does not take sid~s with any persons, whether inferior, mediocre orsupenor.
"[3] The Spiritual Friend presents himself as an in- spiration for faith if he has five qualities: [a] If hearing him discourse inspires sincerity, then actually gazing upon him should also: his manner is truly serene and
? 54 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
gracious, and his excellent disposition shows in his who~e external appearance. [b] He is steadfast and const~nt m his activities, in deed, word, and thought. [c] He 1s not hypocritical, and does not feign constancy to deceive others. [d] He does not envy others their discourses on
the Doctrine or their esteem and gain, but rather rejoices for them. He looks upon his own honour and gain as strengths for [helping] others. [293b] [e] He is simple and frugal in his needs, and whatever he saves beyond sufficiency, he gives to all.
"[4] The bodhisattva performs five functions in acting as a Spiritual Friend: [a] He converses. [b] He reminds. [c] He encourages. [d] He instructs. [e] He teaches the Doctrine. The classification of those terms can be learned from [my] Hearers Level, and the topics on Instruction and Teaching can be found in the Powers chapter [of my
Bodhisattva Levels].
"[5] There are four qualities to [the disciple's] perfect reliance on a Spiritual Friend: [a] Acting as his common servant and nurse as occasion demands. [b] Speaking respectfully and at the proper time; rising in his presence and greeting him cheerfully; bowing with folded hands. [c] Worshipping him [as a Buddha], and providing him with articles of worship, suitable religious robes, food, sleeping-quarters, a mat, and healing medicine, and the necessities of life. [d] Making him one's refuge, and walking in his presence, confessing one's sins to him and
questioning and listening.
"[6] One who wants to hear the Doctrine from a
Spiritual Friend should have five ideas [in mind] while he listens: [a] It is precious because it is so rare. [b] It is an eye, because it is the means to gaining deep Insight. [c] It is brilliant because it teaches all truths correctly. [d] It is of the greatest benefit because it is the means of gaining Supreme Enlightenment. [e] It is irreproachable because it is the source of pure joy in Calmness and Insight, leading to Nirvana and Perfect Enlightenment. [294a]
"[7] There are five things one should not think while listening to the Doctrine from a Spiritual Friend: [a] One should not think: 'This man breaks the Rule and does not
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 55
keep his Vow; I should not listen to the Doctrine from him. ' [b] Or: 'This man comes from a lower class [family than I], so I should not listen to the Doctrine from him. ' [c] One should not have reliance on the person but on the Doctrine. [d] One should not think about the pleasant articulation of words, but rather rely on their meaning. [e] One should not think about his uncomely face or body, or his poor articulation, but rather listen to the
Doctrine reverently. The Doctrine is untouched by personal defects, and can [never] become defective in itself. It is a bodhisattva of dull faculties who gets angry at the defects people have and does not want to hear the Doctrine from them. He should know he harms only himself; it is his own Insight that is hurt. " 15
Thus, when one relies upon a Guru, one can become wise about the beneficial qualities of Enlightenment Thought.
Repetition ofthe Thought
Now I return to the root text itself and the words:
. ? . THEN DAY AND NIGHT YOU
WILL BEGET THE THOUGHT AGAIN AND AGAIN. (Stanza 13)*
After learning its beneficial qualities, you should beget the Enlightenment Thought continually- thrice a day, thrice a night, over and over- and thus expand it. Even if you do not use the full ritual for it, expand the Thought with words like these:
"I take refuge in the excellent Buddhas, Doctrines, and Communities until I be enlightened. May all my deeds of Giving and the rest accomplish Buddhahood for the good of all creatures. " [294b]
Benefits
In explaining other advantages of the Thought, the Scrip- tures also teach that bodhisattvas of dull faculty may achieve Perfect Enlightenment even in the midst of house-
*Atisa's words are not identical with the root text. Seep. 6.
? 56 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
hold life simply as a result of their resolve for Enlighten- ment. The Blessed One says in the Admonitions for the KingSutra:
"0 great King, you are very busy indeed, carrying out your many duties. You cannot practise in every way all the details of the Perfection of Giving up through the rest of the Perfections, to Insight. Therefore, 0 great King, be ever mindful and keep constantly in your heart the longing for supreme and perfect Enlightenment. Culti- vate [that longing] with faith, care and resolution - whether walking or sitting, sleeping or waking, even drinking and eating. Then gather up and weigh all the virtuous deeds you have done or will do - and those of the Buddhas and ordinary men too - and rejoice in it! Rejoice because [this mass of virtue] is the highest of joys; it is like Space [in its infinity]. It is similar to NirviiQ. a
itself.
"After rejoicing, offer [those merits] in worship to all
the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, noble Hearers and Solitary Buddhas. Then do it in union with all creatures. "Then day after day, thrice a day, bestow [these merits] on all creatures until they achieve Omniscience,
that they may perfect every virtue of Buddhahood and gain complete Enlightenment. [295a] 0 great King, if you live like that even while you act as king, you will not neglect your royal duties and will perfect the equipment
for Enlightenment. "16
Acarya Santideva speaks that way too in his Compendium
o f Training:
"Do not look down on the [mere] Thought of Enlighten- ment, even without the practice. It produces boundless happiness even in S<lf! lSiira. "17
The potency of the Thought is also described in the Maitreya chapter on liberation in the Stalks in Array:
" 0 Noble Y outh [Sudhana], just as a precious diamond, for example, even when divided, has brilliance that
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 57
overpowers any royal crown of gold, and can take away anyone's poverty without diminishing its repute as a precious gem; just so, 0 Noble Youth, the diamond of producing the Thought for Omniscience- even divorced from its practice- surpasses in brilliance the whole golden crown of achievements of the Hearer and Solitary Buddha. And even though it takes away all the poverty of sarp. sara, it does not lose its reputation as the Thought of Enlightenment. " 18
Again from the Admonitions for the King Sutra:
"0 great King, you were reborn among the gods many times because your virtuous acts of [producing] the Enlightenment Thought matured. I need not tell you what the effect of producing it many more times will be! "i9
Expanding the Thought
WHEN YOU GET THE THOUGHTS OF ASPIRING TO ENLIGHTENMENT THEN WITH GREAT EFFORT STRIVE TO EXPAND THEM FULLY;
AND TO RECALL YOUR RESOLVE IN YOUR OTHER BIRTHS, OBSERVEFULLYTHETRAININGIEXPLAINEDTOYOU. (Stanza18)
I Wrote "WITH GREAT EFFORT STRIVE TO EXPAND THEM FULLY" so that when you have begotten the Thought and know its benefits, you will increase it. I treat this quite explicitly in the Ritual for Begetting the Thought I composed, when I say: [295b]
"In order that a person who has now produced the Enlightenment Thought may increase it, he should beget the Thought with these words: 'At least three times a day and three times a night: I take refuge in the excellent Buddhas, Doctrines and Communities until I be en- lightened. May all my deeds of Giving and the rest accomplish Buddhahood for the good ofall creatures. ' " 20
Whenlsay:
AND TO RECALL YOUR RESOLVE IN YOUR OTHER BIRTHS, OBSERVE FULLY THE TRAINING I EXPLAINED TO YOU, (Stanza 18)
? 58 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
I refer to what I took from the Questions o f Kiisyapa Sutra
and presented in that same Ritual of mine:
"You must avoid four things which weaken the Thought of Enlightenment. What are the four? [1] Deceiving your instructor, teacher, guru, and persons worthy of respect. [2J Making others feel guilty when there is no reason for shame. [3J Belittling, defaming, or disparaging a person who has entered Mahayana. [4J Approaching the neigh- bour in guile and deceit and with improper motives.
"And you must practise four things which do not weaken the Thought of Enlightenment. What four? [1] Not speaking untrue words even to save your life, much less to provoke derision. [2] Living among creatures with high motivation, and without guile or deceit. [3] Seeing all bodhisattvas as The Teacher [Buddha], and proclaiming the praises of their perfect state everywhere. [4] Spurring on all creatures you have influenced to the Supreme and Perfect Enlightenment, lest they prefer the limited Vehicle.
"One who wishes to attain the Superknowledges quickly should practise especially the Sevenfold Way Sutra: Questions of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. "21 [296a]
This concludes what I mean by striving to expand fully.
Progress-Thought of Enlightenment
Origin in Sutras
To point out the wider expansion of the Thought in the three degrees22 the Venerable Ones speak of, I wrote:
A RIGHT RESOLVE WILL NOT BE FURTHERED
WITHOUT VOWS THAT HAVE PROGRESS IN MIND; THEREFORE HE WHO SEEKS GROWTH IN THE RESOLVE FOR PERFECT ENLIGHTENMENT, EARNESTLY TAKES THEM. (19]
The words "THAT HAVE PROGRESS IN MIND" refer to the
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 59 purified Higher Intention, as described in this passage from
the Heavenly Treasure Sutra:
"0 Noble Youth, what virtues comprise the Enlighten- ment Thought so that one keeps it without regressing? And Gaganagaiija replied:
" '0 Noble Youth, two virtues comprise the Enlight- enment Thought so one keeps it without regressing: Intention and Higher Intention. Intention is comprised of sincerity and guilelessness. Higher Intention is com- prised of detachment in its Intention and of superior
behaviour.
" 'In tum, these four virtues are comprised of eight
others. Sincerity is comprised of openness and candour. Guilelessness is GOmprised of artlessness and pure motives. Detachment is comprised of a mind that is not timid and a zeal which is not faint-hearted. Superior behaviour is comprised of the equipment of knowledge and the equipment ofmerit . . . ' "23
And so he continues combining virtues on up to one hundred and eight of them. You should study the siitra itself for the entire description. And again, in the Compendium o f Doctrine Sutra: [296b]
"Higher Intention is the desire for special qualities: Higher Intention is gentleness toward living things. It is love for all creatures. It is reverence for all the Exalted Ones. It is compassion for all worldlings. It is faithful service to the Guru. It is to be a refuge, protector, island, and last resort for all who are without refuge, protector, island or last resort. " 24
And again in the same siitra:
"For bodhisattvas with Pure Intention the Doctrine comes forth even from things like the sky, walls, trees, rivers and forests; counsel and instruction comes forth right from their own practice. "25
And in the A~ayamati Sutra:
? 60 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
"V enerable Sariputra, moreover, the bodhisattvas' Higher Intention is imperishable. Why? Because it is more highly supported by all the basic virtues. Nay more, every single thought a bodhisattva has is supported by his Higher Intention [arising] from his virtuous motivation. The transmigrations which lift him from Level to Level
are because of his Higher Intention. . . . Again I say, Venerable Sariputra, this Higher Intention of? the bodhisattva is imperishable. "26
From these passages it may be seen that just as the best forests and harvests grow from good ground, so you should understand that all virtues of the Buddha will grow and increase from the good ground of Conduct. That is my
analysis of the matter.
Difference between Resolve and Progress
In regard to the meaning of the Resolve-Thought of Enlightenment and the Progress-Thought of Enlighten- ment, great scholars of both past and present have given many different explanations. I do indeed understand their interpretations, but. I omit expounding them here lest I be too wordy. But the meaning of the two kinds of Thought is clear in the siitras themselves. For instance, the Stalks in Array says: [297a]
"0 Noble Youth, rare are the beings who beget the resolution for Supreme Perfect Enlightenment; but rarer still are those who have set out towards it. "27
And Acarya Santideva in his Compendium of Training:
"The Enlightenment Thought is of two kinds: the Thought which resolves upon Enlightenment, and the Thought which progresses towards it. "28
Again in his Progress in Practice:
"Just as one knows the difference Between desiring to go and going;
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 61 So the wise man should know the difference
Of those two stages in the Thought. " 29 And in the Compendium ofTraining again:
"In this matter, the Resolve-Thought arises from the resolution: 'I must become a Buddha. ' "30
Consequently, Resolve-Thought is the focusing and fixing on Perfect Enlightenment as the goal, as Maitreyanatha says in his Ornament o f Realisations: "This begetting of the Thought is the desire for ? complete and perfect Enlightenment for the sake of others. "31 And Progress- Thought is the focusing and fixing on the virtues of Path, as
he says in the Ornament ofthe Sutras:
"[1] First is begetting the Thought, [2] then: one's own and others' good, [3] Thatness, [4] Power, [5] one's own Buddha-field, [6] the maturing of others, [7] and seventh: the highest Enlightenment. ? m
Therefore, the Thought of Enlightenment itself, both at the time ofits cause and at the time ofits result, is altogether one and the same reality. [29Th] The distinguishing of it into stages shows that this is true. Maitreyanatha explains them in detail in these words:
"Hence, it is like: [1] the Earth, [2] Gold, [3] the Moon, [4] Fire, [5] Treasure, [6] a Jewel Mine, [7] the Ocean, [8] a Diamond, [9] a Mountain, [10] Medicine, [11] a Spiritual Friend, [12] a Wish-granting Gem, [13] the Sun, [14] a Song, [15] a King, [16] a Storehouse, [17] a High- way, [18] a Carriage, [19] a Fountain, [20] a pleasant Sound, [21] a River, and [22] a Cloud. With these, the Thought is of twenty-two kinds. "33
The [first] two are the Enlightenment Thought as cause. The [next] seventeen are the Thought during the Path. The
[last] three are the Thought as fruition.
[Or again] the first two are Resolve-Thought; the
? 62 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
remaining twenty are Progress-Thought. In still another enumeration, the first three are the Thought while it is a cause? the next sixteen during the Path; the last three as the time ~ffruition. For the complete meaning of these [similes for stages], you must study the Ornament of Realisations
itself. 3 4
1 2
Notes to Chapter 2
Ot. 716, Vol. 11:286. 3.
mar 'du-shes. The phrase has the twofold meaning of treating others as a mother treats her child, and also the [Buddhist] recognition that in the cycle of rebirths and the countless destinies one has experienced as a sentient being, every other creature has at some time and place functioned as one's mother in that particular body. The method of developing compassion that Atisa presents here became a very popular Dge-lugs-pa "mind-purification" (blo-sbyong) exercise. known as the "Seven Cause and Effect Instruction'' (rgyu 'bras man-ngag bdun). From Ati5a's four steps, Tsong-kha-pa and later writers created seven:
3
phyag-rgya chen-po: lit. , "Great Seal". This is part of the initiation practice in Union and Supreme Union (yoga, anuttara yoga) Tantra. The powers (dngos-grub/siddhi) are described in Atlsa's final chapter of the Commen- tary.
mar shes: Perceiving as a Mother causes
dr. in dran: Mindfulness of Kindness causes
drin gzo: Repayment of Kindness causes byams-pa: Affectionate Love causes
snying-rje chen-po: Great Compassion causes lhag-bsam rnam-dag: Pure Higher Motive causes byang-sems: the Thought of Enlightenment.
I)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
See Theory and Practice o f Tibetan Buddhism by Geshe Lhundup Sopa, pp. 28-32, for a translation of the Fourth Panchen Lama's presentation of the practice.
4 See Chart 1: The Five Paths. Achievement of the "Highest Mundane Virtue" indicates that a bodhisattva is ready to pass on to his personal direct
5
6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
experience of the Four Truths in the Vision Path.
Atisa refers to his Ritual for Begetting the Thought (Ot. 5364). Ot. 842, Vol. 34:39. 5ff.
Joe. cit.
BCA: I:12.
InSS: p. 5.
In SS: p. 43.
Ot. ' 5536, V ol. 102:196. 3. BCA: V:104.
In SS: pp. 37-8.
In SS: p. 39.
Ot. 5538, Vol. U0:189.
"If a:ll realms throughout the world were to become one huge enclosure of water, and one man worked at dipping the water from it with the tip of a single hair for hundreds of thousands of years - that water might diminish some- what; but there is no such lessening of the realm of creatures. "
And the Deeds ofSamantabhadra: The RoyalResolves also says:
"The extent of all creatures is as vast as the limits of space. "1
When one has made creatures his object to that extent, then he can beget the Thought.
Love
"BECAUSE THE THOUGHT OF LOVE IS THE PREREQUISITE" refers to perceiving [all creatures] as one's mother2 - from which
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 43
arises the thought of repaying their kindness: that is Love. Then out of the thought of Love comes the thought of Compassion, And from the thought of Compassion, the Enlightenment Thought emerges. That is why I said the Thought of Love is prerequisite. [287a]. The next seven lines follow this same theme.
Ritual for Begetting the Thought
"MUST BEGET THIS THOUGHT OF ENLIGHTENMENT" means that after taking the Triple Refuge, and carefully offering whatever he can in Worship to the Three Jewels and Guru Spiritual Friend, one then makes the maQ. qala in the presence of the Guru. Then with good and sincere inten- tion, he reflects within himself: "This Guru is the same as the Buddha seated before me. I too shall accomplish all the great deeds of all the Buddhas of the past, present and future. " Then kneeling on both knees and offering a flower
in his folded hands, he declares three times:
" 0 Omniscient One, epitome of wisdom, Purifier of the Wheel of Life,
I have no refuge in any Lord,
Except at your lotus feet.
0 Heroofcreatures,maytheGreatSage Bestow his kindness upon me!
May that Holy One grant to me the
Supreme and highest Enlightenment Thought! "
Then the Guru Spiritual Friend invites to witness all the Blessed Buddhas of all the realms throughout the universe, and all the Bodhisattvas who dwell on the Great Level, and all the Guru Spiritual Friends of past and present. In their presence he cleanses his [conscious] stream with the ritual of the Good Practice and the Progress in Bodhisattva
Practice. When the disciple has likewise thoroughly purified [his stream], he again makes his petition to the Guru with flower in hand. [287b] The Guru then reflects - without thought of profit, esteem or fame, or of [the disciple's] tone or verses or gifts-"Ah, this is wonderful! That in this age of great dread there should come forth a holy creature like
? 44 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
this! It is marvellous! " Such is the way to perform a ceremony [for begetting the Thought] with true Higher Intention.
Interpretations on the Thought
There have been different interpretations about Enlighten- ment Thought among the Acaryas of old in my country: King Indrabhiiti, Nagarjuna,, Sant}deva, Asanga, Daf! l~trasena, Candragomin, Siira, Santirak~ita and others. The opinions of these great scholars may differ on various points: [1] on the very Thought of Enlightenment itself; [2] on the ritual for the Thought of Enlightenment; [3] on methods for growth in the Thought; [4] in the method of Training [to be observed] with the Thought.
[1] On the first point, some Acaryas say that the Enlightenment Thought is the Resolve nurtured in the Mundane Paths when one is practising out of devotion. Others hold that Resolution is the Thought in so far as it depends upon an object [creatures], and is a species of Relative Truth. Others that Resolution is the Thought when it produces the basic virtues equivalent to the Equip-
ment Path's "Aids to Liberation". And others that Resolu- tion, which has yet to actualise its merit, is the Thought. Still others, that simply the Resolve to take Perfect Enlightenment as one's objective is the Thought, as in [the difference between] "Desiring to go, and [actually] going. " There are other opinions besides these, but to include them would make my text too big. [288a]
[2] For the different rituals [for begetting the Thought], one should consult the texts of the above-mentioned scholars.
[3] On methods of growth in the Thought, some hold that it grows through begetting it in front of a person; but some say it should not be produced except in the presence of a Buddha; others hold that it grows through the practice of
the Four Modes [of Compassion: seeing creatures as mothers: repayment of their kindness: compassion: Enlightenment Thought].
[4] There have been differences about the method of
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 45
Training [involved], depending on five [kinds of] bodhisattvas:
[a] those who have first produced the Thought;
[b] those who are entering the Practice Path;
[c] those who will not turn back;
[d] those who have attained Patience [in seeing that] phenomena do not arise;
[e] those who have but one rebirth left.
Some hold that a Training pertains only to what is [pre- scribed] for the first two. Som~ hold that everything preached in the siitras must be observed. Some that only the Training of the Equipment Path need be observed.
Others that neither these Trainings nor any like them [need be observed]. Still others hold that the principal Trainings for those who have taken the Refuges are the ones [to observe] - instructions found in such siitras as the Stalks in Array, the Embracing the Roots of Virtue, and the
Producing the Power of Faith Sutra - but still the Eight Teachings on Forgetting and Not Forgetting the Enlighten- ment Thought [fou,nd] in the Questions of Kasyapa Sutra
are also to be kept.
These are only a few examples [of the differences]. Ifl set
down all the systems of the great scholars of the past, my text would be far too large. These great Acaryas were Mahayana Path's great men of philosophy, transformed by great love and compassion, their minds steady in both [the resolve and progress] aspects of Enlightenment Thought. Some of them had attained the power of the Great Seal. 3 Some saw the Truth [directly]. [288b] And the ones who
achievedthe"HighestMundaneVirtue"4 receivedinstruc- tion from Buddhas in Apparition Bodies. We must keep in mind that these m~n represerlt the Great Path itself, since their interpretations of the siitras are [at the same time] things declared by the Blessed One himself. However, my Gurus taught me that one should hold the system presented him by his own Gurus.
At least there are no differences of opinion about the method of Ritual for begetting the resolution thought for
? 46 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
Enlightenment. , The excellent Acaryas Nagarjuna, Asanga, and Santideva are all in accord. And my own Gurus, venerable and glorious Bodhibhadra and SuvarQadvipa, scholars of our own day, follow their system. IinturnfollowedmyGurusinthatsmallritual5 Icomposed for a group of my disciples; and mY, presentation is simply that of Nagarjuna, Asanga, and Santideva, and can be summarised as follows:
Preludes to Begetting the Thought
Two things are prerequisite, like watering, so to speak, for growth of the wish-granting tree of Enlightenment Thought:
[1] purification of mind, and
[2] presentation of gifts to the Guru.
The presentation of gifts should be made as described in passages of the Good Age Sutra and the Great Compassion. [289a] The purification of mind is what I have already pointed out in the Resolves o f Samanta-bhadra, and can be performed with the method of the Progress in Bodhisattva
J? ractice. Then, using the ritual either of Asanga or Santideva, and cultivating the Four Infinitudes as the pre- requisites, beget the Thought of Supreme Enlightenment. This is the path of the Great Wagons, and the religious tradition of the Superior Person, handed down from Guru to Guru.
Praises o f the Thought
What is unique about the Thought of Enlightenment when it rises in the [conscious] stream of the disciple who con- ceives it? The Blessed One gave the answer to that in this passage from the Sutra Set Forth By Alqayamati
[Imperishable Mind]:
"[Then] Ak~ayamatisaid: 'V enerableSariputra, the very first Thought of Enlightenment that bodhisattvas con- ceive is imperishable. And why is that so? Because it is pure. It rises without any influence of the passions. It
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 47
rises with tolerance because it has no desire for other vehicles. It rises with firmness because it is not anxious to argue with opponents. It is unassailable by any of the Evil Ones.
"It is solid because it masters perfectly all roots of virtue. It is permanent because it knows well that all composite things are impermanent. It rises without hesitation because it embraces correctly all teachings of the Buddha. It is without distress because it uses no false powers. It rises continually because it is unshakeable.
"This Thought is peerless because it has no kin. lt is like a diamond cutting through all appearances. [289b] It is infinite, storing up immeasurable merit. It rises with equal [love] toward all creatures. It is perfectly pure because it is completely without corruption. It is im- maculate because of its clear light of insight. It rises with great conviction because it does not forsake its Higher
Intention. It stretches far beyond because it is like and equal to space. It rises in great breadth because it makes all creatures its scope.
"This Thought rises without obscuration because it is given over to dispassionate knowledge. It is a servant to all because of its constant great compassion. Because it knows [the value of] the ritual for Bestowal [of merit], it rises continually. Because it is the Thought taught by the Omniscient One, it is the prerequisite. It is worthy of study because it is not found in other vehicles, and any creatures studying them will not see it.
"This Thought rises adorned with the Equipment of Merit. It rises with realisation because of its Equipment of Knowledge. It is the seed of all Buddha virtues. It is not shattered by any phenomena. It is the home of all happy things,
"It rises [already] accumulating its equipment of Giving. It rises exalted in its resolve because of its equipment of Conduct. It rises in reverence because of its equipment of Patience. It rises invincible because of its equipment in Zeal. It rises with the marks of serenity because of its equipment in Meditation. It rises without hindrance because of its equipment of Insight. [290a]
? 48 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
"Because it has amassed great Love, it rises without ill-will. Because it has amassed great Compassion, it rises with firm roots. Because it has amassed great Joy, it abides in delight and gladness and supreme joy. In its grea:t Equanimity, it is undisturbed by either happiness
or suffering.
"It is blessed with the benediction of the Buddha. Its
method is constant because of the unbroken ranks [of believers] in the Three Jewels. It rises as so well pro- claimed in the assemblies of all the Buddha-realms throughout the uniyerse.
"0 Venerable Sariputra, can such a thought of the Omniscient On~ ever perish? '
"To which [Sariputra answered]: '0 Noble Youth, it cannot. Anyone who holds that such a Thought of the Omniscient One perishes, holds that space perishes! '
"Then Ak~ayamatisaid: 'Venerable Sariputra, that is right. The Thought of the Omniscient One is imperish- able. And since [a bodhisattva's] Enlightenment Thought is the root of the Omniscient One's Thought, it too is imperishable. ' " 6
Further on the Siitra continues:
"This [resolute] intention [of Enlightenment Thought] is genuine because it is not artificially made. It is not artificially made because it cannot be swayed. It is un- wavering because it comprehends completely. It fully comprehends because it has no deceit. It has no deceit because it is sincere. Sincere because pure, pure because clear, clear because without dissimulation. " 7
The siitra continues at length in this fashion, and deserves to be studied.
Such then is the Enlightenment Thought unique to Mahayana, the Thought which is superior by far to the whole world, the Thought which rejects no creature. This is the Thought that Bodhisattvas on the Great Level purified
and made pure. [290b] They protected it and kept it un- diminished, increasing it from Level to Level. And because
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 49
it is the Thought of all Buddhas, the bodhisattva who begets it, is ever after protected by the gods who rejoice in the Teaching. At the hour of death, he dies rejoicing, and the gods protect him through the Intermediate State and in his mother's womb and throughout childhood. All his basic virtues continue through [into his next rebirth] and his mind retains its stream of merit.
As Acarya Santideva says in his Progress in Practice:
"All other virtue is like the plaintain tree: When its fruit ripens, itself begins to decay; But the Tree of Enlightenment Thought grows Ever greater, and its fruit never decays. " 8
Therefore, since the Thought ofEnlightenment is imperish- able, all its virtues [of growth] in the Mundane and Supramundane Paths and their fruition at the Buddha Level are imperishable.
Resolution-Thought of Enlightenment
Qualities
At this point, having described the kind of Thought that arises, I wanted to speak about its beneficial qualities, and so I wrote:
EVERY QUALITY THA T BELONGS TO
BEGETTING THOUGHTS OF SUCH RESOLUTION. [Stanza 12]
I referred to the qualities that Maitreya spoke about to Sudhana "IN HIS SUTRA, THE STALKS IN ARRAY" [Stanza 12]:
" 0 Noble Y outh, this Enlightenment Thought is like the seed of all the Buddha's teachings. It is like a field because it makes the good deeds ofall creatures grow. Like earth because the whole world rests on it. Like Vaisravaq. a [the god of riches], because it destroys all poverty. Like a father because it protects all bodhisattvas. It is like a
? 50 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
royal wish-fulfilling jewel because it grants all boons. Like a good flask filling all aspirations. It is like a lance because it vanquishes all corruptions, its enemies. Like armour because it wards off all careless activity of mind. Like a sword because it beheads corruption. Like an axe because it chops down the tree of corruption. Like a weapon because it defends from rebirth.
"It is like a hook because it snatches one out of the river of saf! 1sara. Like a cyclone because it scatters all the veils of obscuration. It is like a motto because it sum- marises all the? resolves and practices of a bodhisattva. Like a shrine for all the worlds of gods and men and demigods. These are the qualiti'es of the Enlightenment Thought, 0 Noble Youth, and it has infinite variety of other attributes too. "9
In accord with this passage are the words I quoted [in Stanzas 14-17] from the Questions of the Householder
Vlradatta, and they shc:mld be considered here also. Studying the Sutras
There are many siitras and great discourses on these attributes by men like Nagarjuna and Santideva, but I do not present them here for fear of enlarging my text. But to acknowledge those sources, I wrote:
READ THAT SUTRA OR HEAR IT FROM A GURU, AND WHEN
THE INFINITE BENEFITS OF PERFECT ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT
ARE SEEN, THEN FOR THAT VERY REASON YOU W ill BEGET THE THOUGHT AGAIN AND AGAIN. [Stanza 13]
On the words "READ THAT SUTRA", I quote from Santideva's
Compendium o f Training:
"The precepts of Bodhisattva training appear most abundantly in the siitra collections. [291b] They state both what a Bodhisattva practises and what the precepts of his training are. Therefore always respect siitra study, lest through ignorance of them, transgressions occur and one go on to forfeit [the training altogether]. "10
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 51 He also says in his root text [ofthe Compendium]:
"By never leaving the Spiritual Friend And by ever studying the siitras . . . "11 [The Thought is preserved. ]
And in the Progre~s in Practice he says:
"One must study the siitras, and the Sutra o f Akii. Sagarbha is one that
Should be studied from the very start. After that, the Compendium ofthe Sutras Composed by Nagarjuna is the one
That should be studied next. " 12
Reliance on the Guru
By my words, "HEAR IT FROM A GURU" (Stanza 13], Jmean the kind of Guru who causes one to beget the Thought. And if he is that, then he is also a Guru in the lineage of Asanga as well as of Santideva. ,
Now in the Stalks in Array Siitra, when Srisambhava sees that [Sudhana] is wondering why he must rely on a Guru, he says:
"Noble Y outh, a bodhisattva rightly guided by a Spiritual Friend does not fall into bad destinies. A bodhisattva protected by a Spiritual Friend makes no mistakes in his training. Motivated by a Spiritual Friend, he transcends this world. Showing reverence to a Spiritual Friend, he perseveres in not forgetting any practices. Adopted by a Spiritual Friend, he is unassailable by any deed or corruption.
"It is the Spiritual Friend who impresses on him the things that need to be done. [292a] He turns his indiffer- ence aside and drives him forth from the city of sa~sara. Therefore, Noble Youth, since that is so, you must walk continually in the presence of Spiritual Friends.
"With mind like the earth, not sinking under the burden of all things. With mind like a diamond, not changing. With mind like a pup, not easily provoked. With mind like the Cakravala Range, unshakeable by
? 52 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
any suffering. With mind like a servant, uncomplaining in any work. Like a sweeper, dismissing overweening pride. Like a wagon, carrying heavy burdens. Like a ship, unwearied in its comings and goings. With mind like a wise son, ever studying the face of the Spiritual Friend - with such a mind give reverent service to the Spiritual Friend.
"Noble Youth, you must see yourself as a sick man, and the Spiritual Friend as the doctor. His instructions are your medicine, and the cure of your sickness is taking to heart his prescriptions. " 13
There is a similar passage [in the Stalks in ArrayJin the chapter about the monk Sagaramegha. And in the Questions o f Ugra, there is this:
" 0 Householder, if a bodhisattva [has learned] to read and recite any four-line stanzas about Giving, Conduct, or Patience, Zeal, Meditation or Insight, or about accumulating the equipment for the Bodhisattva Path, [! hen] he must give reverence for that doctrine to the Acarya from whom he [first] heard, or learned to read and recite them. [292b] But even if he reverenced and attended and supported that Acarya for as many aeons as
[those stanzas] have names and words and letters, the reverence due that Acarya, 0 Householder, would still not be enough- much less the reverence due the doctrine itself. "14
There are other pertinent accounts of relying on a Guru that should be studied in the Vajrapii1Ji Initiation Tantra, and the chapter on Sadaprarudita in the Perfection of Insight, as well as [the example of] AnathapiJ]. qada.
Noble Asanga speaks about Reliance on the Guru in his Bodhisattva Levels in this way:
"There are certain questions one must ask about this matter: [1] What qualities make a bodhisattva a Spiritual Friend? [2] What qualities make him effective as a
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 53
Spiritual Friend? [3] What qualities make him stand out as an inspiration for faith? [4] What functions does he perform in acting as a Spiritual Friend? [5] What are the qualities of Reliance on a Guru? [6] What ideas should one have in mind for listening to the Doctrine from a Spiritual Friend? [7] What things should one avoid think- ing about when listening to the Doctrine from a Spiritual Friend?
"[1] A bodhisattva can be recognised as a Spiritual Friend, perfect in every respect, if he has eight qualities: [a] He keeps the discipline of the Bodhisattva Vow with- out fault or failing. [b] He is very learned because his mind is pure. [c] He has a comprehending mind and has
acquired all possible virtue arising from contemplation. [d] His loving heart is endowed with compassion. [293a] He puts aside his own happiness in this life and works for the good of others. [e] He is aware of the terrible fear others may have when the Doctrine is being taught, and [displays] unfailing confidence and fearlessness himself.
[f] He is patient in the face of contempt, censure or flattery, the unpleasantness of malicious gossip, and all the devious ways creatures have. [g] His mind does not tire in his strong and incessant teaching ofthe Doctrine to the four assemblies [of the Community]. [h] He has
the gift of clarity and does not obscure the reality behind words.
"[2] A bodhisattva will be effective in acting as a Spiritual Friend if he has five qualities: [a] He desires the happiness and benefit of others right from the start.
[b] He knows what that happiness and benefit consists of. [c] He has unerring judgement. [d] Using every method andmeansofteachingtheDoctrine,hehasthepowerand ability to convert any creature capable of it, and his mind does not tire. [e] Impartial in compassion, he does not take sid~s with any persons, whether inferior, mediocre orsupenor.
"[3] The Spiritual Friend presents himself as an in- spiration for faith if he has five qualities: [a] If hearing him discourse inspires sincerity, then actually gazing upon him should also: his manner is truly serene and
? 54 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
gracious, and his excellent disposition shows in his who~e external appearance. [b] He is steadfast and const~nt m his activities, in deed, word, and thought. [c] He 1s not hypocritical, and does not feign constancy to deceive others. [d] He does not envy others their discourses on
the Doctrine or their esteem and gain, but rather rejoices for them. He looks upon his own honour and gain as strengths for [helping] others. [293b] [e] He is simple and frugal in his needs, and whatever he saves beyond sufficiency, he gives to all.
"[4] The bodhisattva performs five functions in acting as a Spiritual Friend: [a] He converses. [b] He reminds. [c] He encourages. [d] He instructs. [e] He teaches the Doctrine. The classification of those terms can be learned from [my] Hearers Level, and the topics on Instruction and Teaching can be found in the Powers chapter [of my
Bodhisattva Levels].
"[5] There are four qualities to [the disciple's] perfect reliance on a Spiritual Friend: [a] Acting as his common servant and nurse as occasion demands. [b] Speaking respectfully and at the proper time; rising in his presence and greeting him cheerfully; bowing with folded hands. [c] Worshipping him [as a Buddha], and providing him with articles of worship, suitable religious robes, food, sleeping-quarters, a mat, and healing medicine, and the necessities of life. [d] Making him one's refuge, and walking in his presence, confessing one's sins to him and
questioning and listening.
"[6] One who wants to hear the Doctrine from a
Spiritual Friend should have five ideas [in mind] while he listens: [a] It is precious because it is so rare. [b] It is an eye, because it is the means to gaining deep Insight. [c] It is brilliant because it teaches all truths correctly. [d] It is of the greatest benefit because it is the means of gaining Supreme Enlightenment. [e] It is irreproachable because it is the source of pure joy in Calmness and Insight, leading to Nirvana and Perfect Enlightenment. [294a]
"[7] There are five things one should not think while listening to the Doctrine from a Spiritual Friend: [a] One should not think: 'This man breaks the Rule and does not
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 55
keep his Vow; I should not listen to the Doctrine from him. ' [b] Or: 'This man comes from a lower class [family than I], so I should not listen to the Doctrine from him. ' [c] One should not have reliance on the person but on the Doctrine. [d] One should not think about the pleasant articulation of words, but rather rely on their meaning. [e] One should not think about his uncomely face or body, or his poor articulation, but rather listen to the
Doctrine reverently. The Doctrine is untouched by personal defects, and can [never] become defective in itself. It is a bodhisattva of dull faculties who gets angry at the defects people have and does not want to hear the Doctrine from them. He should know he harms only himself; it is his own Insight that is hurt. " 15
Thus, when one relies upon a Guru, one can become wise about the beneficial qualities of Enlightenment Thought.
Repetition ofthe Thought
Now I return to the root text itself and the words:
. ? . THEN DAY AND NIGHT YOU
WILL BEGET THE THOUGHT AGAIN AND AGAIN. (Stanza 13)*
After learning its beneficial qualities, you should beget the Enlightenment Thought continually- thrice a day, thrice a night, over and over- and thus expand it. Even if you do not use the full ritual for it, expand the Thought with words like these:
"I take refuge in the excellent Buddhas, Doctrines, and Communities until I be enlightened. May all my deeds of Giving and the rest accomplish Buddhahood for the good of all creatures. " [294b]
Benefits
In explaining other advantages of the Thought, the Scrip- tures also teach that bodhisattvas of dull faculty may achieve Perfect Enlightenment even in the midst of house-
*Atisa's words are not identical with the root text. Seep. 6.
? 56 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
hold life simply as a result of their resolve for Enlighten- ment. The Blessed One says in the Admonitions for the KingSutra:
"0 great King, you are very busy indeed, carrying out your many duties. You cannot practise in every way all the details of the Perfection of Giving up through the rest of the Perfections, to Insight. Therefore, 0 great King, be ever mindful and keep constantly in your heart the longing for supreme and perfect Enlightenment. Culti- vate [that longing] with faith, care and resolution - whether walking or sitting, sleeping or waking, even drinking and eating. Then gather up and weigh all the virtuous deeds you have done or will do - and those of the Buddhas and ordinary men too - and rejoice in it! Rejoice because [this mass of virtue] is the highest of joys; it is like Space [in its infinity]. It is similar to NirviiQ. a
itself.
"After rejoicing, offer [those merits] in worship to all
the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, noble Hearers and Solitary Buddhas. Then do it in union with all creatures. "Then day after day, thrice a day, bestow [these merits] on all creatures until they achieve Omniscience,
that they may perfect every virtue of Buddhahood and gain complete Enlightenment. [295a] 0 great King, if you live like that even while you act as king, you will not neglect your royal duties and will perfect the equipment
for Enlightenment. "16
Acarya Santideva speaks that way too in his Compendium
o f Training:
"Do not look down on the [mere] Thought of Enlighten- ment, even without the practice. It produces boundless happiness even in S<lf! lSiira. "17
The potency of the Thought is also described in the Maitreya chapter on liberation in the Stalks in Array:
" 0 Noble Y outh [Sudhana], just as a precious diamond, for example, even when divided, has brilliance that
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 57
overpowers any royal crown of gold, and can take away anyone's poverty without diminishing its repute as a precious gem; just so, 0 Noble Youth, the diamond of producing the Thought for Omniscience- even divorced from its practice- surpasses in brilliance the whole golden crown of achievements of the Hearer and Solitary Buddha. And even though it takes away all the poverty of sarp. sara, it does not lose its reputation as the Thought of Enlightenment. " 18
Again from the Admonitions for the King Sutra:
"0 great King, you were reborn among the gods many times because your virtuous acts of [producing] the Enlightenment Thought matured. I need not tell you what the effect of producing it many more times will be! "i9
Expanding the Thought
WHEN YOU GET THE THOUGHTS OF ASPIRING TO ENLIGHTENMENT THEN WITH GREAT EFFORT STRIVE TO EXPAND THEM FULLY;
AND TO RECALL YOUR RESOLVE IN YOUR OTHER BIRTHS, OBSERVEFULLYTHETRAININGIEXPLAINEDTOYOU. (Stanza18)
I Wrote "WITH GREAT EFFORT STRIVE TO EXPAND THEM FULLY" so that when you have begotten the Thought and know its benefits, you will increase it. I treat this quite explicitly in the Ritual for Begetting the Thought I composed, when I say: [295b]
"In order that a person who has now produced the Enlightenment Thought may increase it, he should beget the Thought with these words: 'At least three times a day and three times a night: I take refuge in the excellent Buddhas, Doctrines and Communities until I be en- lightened. May all my deeds of Giving and the rest accomplish Buddhahood for the good ofall creatures. ' " 20
Whenlsay:
AND TO RECALL YOUR RESOLVE IN YOUR OTHER BIRTHS, OBSERVE FULLY THE TRAINING I EXPLAINED TO YOU, (Stanza 18)
? 58 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
I refer to what I took from the Questions o f Kiisyapa Sutra
and presented in that same Ritual of mine:
"You must avoid four things which weaken the Thought of Enlightenment. What are the four? [1] Deceiving your instructor, teacher, guru, and persons worthy of respect. [2J Making others feel guilty when there is no reason for shame. [3J Belittling, defaming, or disparaging a person who has entered Mahayana. [4J Approaching the neigh- bour in guile and deceit and with improper motives.
"And you must practise four things which do not weaken the Thought of Enlightenment. What four? [1] Not speaking untrue words even to save your life, much less to provoke derision. [2] Living among creatures with high motivation, and without guile or deceit. [3] Seeing all bodhisattvas as The Teacher [Buddha], and proclaiming the praises of their perfect state everywhere. [4] Spurring on all creatures you have influenced to the Supreme and Perfect Enlightenment, lest they prefer the limited Vehicle.
"One who wishes to attain the Superknowledges quickly should practise especially the Sevenfold Way Sutra: Questions of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. "21 [296a]
This concludes what I mean by striving to expand fully.
Progress-Thought of Enlightenment
Origin in Sutras
To point out the wider expansion of the Thought in the three degrees22 the Venerable Ones speak of, I wrote:
A RIGHT RESOLVE WILL NOT BE FURTHERED
WITHOUT VOWS THAT HAVE PROGRESS IN MIND; THEREFORE HE WHO SEEKS GROWTH IN THE RESOLVE FOR PERFECT ENLIGHTENMENT, EARNESTLY TAKES THEM. (19]
The words "THAT HAVE PROGRESS IN MIND" refer to the
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 59 purified Higher Intention, as described in this passage from
the Heavenly Treasure Sutra:
"0 Noble Youth, what virtues comprise the Enlighten- ment Thought so that one keeps it without regressing? And Gaganagaiija replied:
" '0 Noble Youth, two virtues comprise the Enlight- enment Thought so one keeps it without regressing: Intention and Higher Intention. Intention is comprised of sincerity and guilelessness. Higher Intention is com- prised of detachment in its Intention and of superior
behaviour.
" 'In tum, these four virtues are comprised of eight
others. Sincerity is comprised of openness and candour. Guilelessness is GOmprised of artlessness and pure motives. Detachment is comprised of a mind that is not timid and a zeal which is not faint-hearted. Superior behaviour is comprised of the equipment of knowledge and the equipment ofmerit . . . ' "23
And so he continues combining virtues on up to one hundred and eight of them. You should study the siitra itself for the entire description. And again, in the Compendium o f Doctrine Sutra: [296b]
"Higher Intention is the desire for special qualities: Higher Intention is gentleness toward living things. It is love for all creatures. It is reverence for all the Exalted Ones. It is compassion for all worldlings. It is faithful service to the Guru. It is to be a refuge, protector, island, and last resort for all who are without refuge, protector, island or last resort. " 24
And again in the same siitra:
"For bodhisattvas with Pure Intention the Doctrine comes forth even from things like the sky, walls, trees, rivers and forests; counsel and instruction comes forth right from their own practice. "25
And in the A~ayamati Sutra:
? 60 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
"V enerable Sariputra, moreover, the bodhisattvas' Higher Intention is imperishable. Why? Because it is more highly supported by all the basic virtues. Nay more, every single thought a bodhisattva has is supported by his Higher Intention [arising] from his virtuous motivation. The transmigrations which lift him from Level to Level
are because of his Higher Intention. . . . Again I say, Venerable Sariputra, this Higher Intention of? the bodhisattva is imperishable. "26
From these passages it may be seen that just as the best forests and harvests grow from good ground, so you should understand that all virtues of the Buddha will grow and increase from the good ground of Conduct. That is my
analysis of the matter.
Difference between Resolve and Progress
In regard to the meaning of the Resolve-Thought of Enlightenment and the Progress-Thought of Enlighten- ment, great scholars of both past and present have given many different explanations. I do indeed understand their interpretations, but. I omit expounding them here lest I be too wordy. But the meaning of the two kinds of Thought is clear in the siitras themselves. For instance, the Stalks in Array says: [297a]
"0 Noble Youth, rare are the beings who beget the resolution for Supreme Perfect Enlightenment; but rarer still are those who have set out towards it. "27
And Acarya Santideva in his Compendium of Training:
"The Enlightenment Thought is of two kinds: the Thought which resolves upon Enlightenment, and the Thought which progresses towards it. "28
Again in his Progress in Practice:
"Just as one knows the difference Between desiring to go and going;
? THE ENLIGHTENMENT THOUGHT 61 So the wise man should know the difference
Of those two stages in the Thought. " 29 And in the Compendium ofTraining again:
"In this matter, the Resolve-Thought arises from the resolution: 'I must become a Buddha. ' "30
Consequently, Resolve-Thought is the focusing and fixing on Perfect Enlightenment as the goal, as Maitreyanatha says in his Ornament o f Realisations: "This begetting of the Thought is the desire for ? complete and perfect Enlightenment for the sake of others. "31 And Progress- Thought is the focusing and fixing on the virtues of Path, as
he says in the Ornament ofthe Sutras:
"[1] First is begetting the Thought, [2] then: one's own and others' good, [3] Thatness, [4] Power, [5] one's own Buddha-field, [6] the maturing of others, [7] and seventh: the highest Enlightenment. ? m
Therefore, the Thought of Enlightenment itself, both at the time ofits cause and at the time ofits result, is altogether one and the same reality. [29Th] The distinguishing of it into stages shows that this is true. Maitreyanatha explains them in detail in these words:
"Hence, it is like: [1] the Earth, [2] Gold, [3] the Moon, [4] Fire, [5] Treasure, [6] a Jewel Mine, [7] the Ocean, [8] a Diamond, [9] a Mountain, [10] Medicine, [11] a Spiritual Friend, [12] a Wish-granting Gem, [13] the Sun, [14] a Song, [15] a King, [16] a Storehouse, [17] a High- way, [18] a Carriage, [19] a Fountain, [20] a pleasant Sound, [21] a River, and [22] a Cloud. With these, the Thought is of twenty-two kinds. "33
The [first] two are the Enlightenment Thought as cause. The [next] seventeen are the Thought during the Path. The
[last] three are the Thought as fruition.
[Or again] the first two are Resolve-Thought; the
? 62 A LAMP FOR THE PATH AND COMMENTARY
remaining twenty are Progress-Thought. In still another enumeration, the first three are the Thought while it is a cause? the next sixteen during the Path; the last three as the time ~ffruition. For the complete meaning of these [similes for stages], you must study the Ornament of Realisations
itself. 3 4
1 2
Notes to Chapter 2
Ot. 716, Vol. 11:286. 3.
mar 'du-shes. The phrase has the twofold meaning of treating others as a mother treats her child, and also the [Buddhist] recognition that in the cycle of rebirths and the countless destinies one has experienced as a sentient being, every other creature has at some time and place functioned as one's mother in that particular body. The method of developing compassion that Atisa presents here became a very popular Dge-lugs-pa "mind-purification" (blo-sbyong) exercise. known as the "Seven Cause and Effect Instruction'' (rgyu 'bras man-ngag bdun). From Ati5a's four steps, Tsong-kha-pa and later writers created seven:
3
phyag-rgya chen-po: lit. , "Great Seal". This is part of the initiation practice in Union and Supreme Union (yoga, anuttara yoga) Tantra. The powers (dngos-grub/siddhi) are described in Atlsa's final chapter of the Commen- tary.
mar shes: Perceiving as a Mother causes
dr. in dran: Mindfulness of Kindness causes
drin gzo: Repayment of Kindness causes byams-pa: Affectionate Love causes
snying-rje chen-po: Great Compassion causes lhag-bsam rnam-dag: Pure Higher Motive causes byang-sems: the Thought of Enlightenment.
I)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
See Theory and Practice o f Tibetan Buddhism by Geshe Lhundup Sopa, pp. 28-32, for a translation of the Fourth Panchen Lama's presentation of the practice.
4 See Chart 1: The Five Paths. Achievement of the "Highest Mundane Virtue" indicates that a bodhisattva is ready to pass on to his personal direct
5
6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
experience of the Four Truths in the Vision Path.
Atisa refers to his Ritual for Begetting the Thought (Ot. 5364). Ot. 842, Vol. 34:39. 5ff.
Joe. cit.
BCA: I:12.
InSS: p. 5.
In SS: p. 43.
Ot. ' 5536, V ol. 102:196. 3. BCA: V:104.
In SS: pp. 37-8.
In SS: p. 39.
Ot. 5538, Vol. U0:189.
