Stage 1: Pramudita Bhumi

The first bhumi is called Pramudita bhumi which means 'Joyful stage.' The Dasabhumika-Sutra itself explains that this stage is called 'Joyous' because a Bodhisattva while in this stage has the qualities of pramodya, prasada, priti, utplavana, udagri, usi, utsaha. He is pleased also because he knows that he is gradually transcending worldly matters, nearing to the Buddhabhumi, the Jnanabhumi, and thus, cut off from births in hell or any lower form of existence. Furthermore, an intense joyfulness arises in the heart of a Bodhisattva by the Thought of Enlightenment (Bodhicitta). When he perceives that he will soon attain Bodhi, he will promote the good of all beings and pass to the higher ideal of emancipation of all beings. As soon as the Thought of Enlightenment 107 Mahayana-sutralankara chapter xx-xxi, 32. Pasyatam bodhimasannam satvarthasya ca sadhanam/ fivra utpadyate modo mudita tena dathyate// The Mahayana-sutralankara explains that the bhumi is so called because a Bodhisattva feels delight (moda) in this stage. R

65 arose (Bodhicittopada), he is out of the stage of the ignorant common people (balaprthagjanabhumi), and approaches the Jnanabhumi. He is free from the fear of being in hell or any other lower form of existence (sarvapayadurgativinipatat). When he attains this stage, he is devoid of the five fears, viz. fear of losing livelihood, of blame, of death, of rebirth in evil destiny, and of diffidence in assemblies. Then he feels that he is the refuge of all creatures. He reaches the first stage through faith, devotion, aspiration, preparation, benevolence, compassion, friendliness, fortitude, conscientiousness, ennobling shame, gentle forbearance, reverence for Buddha's teaching, and perseverance in accumulating the basic merits. He being helped by spiritual guides (kalyanamitras) becomes well established in this first stage and undertakes the great resolutions(Mahapranidhana); ① to pay homage to all the Buddhas, 108 ② to preserve and protect the doctrines of the Tathagatas, 110 (3) to 108 The Mahayana texts provide an exhaustive list of the different types of Bodhisattva's resolution. Those numerous varities of vows may be subsumed in the ten Mahapranidhanas referred to above. See Siks. pp. 291-5; Dasabhumika-Sutra pp. 14-18; M.S.AI. p.36 n; D. T. Suzuki, Outline of Mahayana Buddhism pp.308-10; Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics sv. 'Bodhisattva" . 109 Dasabhumika-Sutra p. 10 mahapujopasthanaya prathaman mahapranidhanalm abhinirharati. 110 ...saddharmaparigrahaya dvifiyam.

66 approach the great Nirvana after accomplishing all the deeds of a 111 112 Buddha, ①to practise all the Bhumis along with the Paramitas, 5 to bring about the spiritual maturity of all beings, to enable them to comprehend the doctrine of all Buddhas and to help them in attaining omniscience, 113 ⑥ to comprehend the endless distinctions that exist in the things of all world-systems, 114 ⑦to purify all Buddhaksetras by paying 115 116 visits to them, ⑧ to cause to enter into the great vehicle, ⑨ to practise all the courses of conduct of the Bodhsiattvas and to achieve 117 success in all efforts, ①⑩to accomplish perfect enlightenment, great knowledge, and intuition. He accomplishes the ten great resolutions by means of ten Nisthapadas or fundamental terms, and wishes that his resolution may 111 112 113 ...yavan mahaparinirvanopasankramanaya trtiyam. 12...sarvabhumiparisodhanam cittotpadabhinirharaya...aturtham. rajsatat. ...sarvasattvadhatu paripacanaya.. sarvajnajnana pratisthapanaya.. 114 ...lokadhatuvaimatryavataranaya sastham. 115 ...sarvabuddhaksetraparisodhanaya saptamam. 116 "...mahayanavataranaya astamam. 117 ...bodhisattvacaryacaranaya amoghasarvacestatayai navamam. 118 ...abhisambodhimahajnanabhijnabhinirharaya dasamam. 119 Dasabhumika-Sutra p. 11: Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Grammar and Dictionary p.308.

67 endure and extend as far as the universe. He realizes that the Doctrines of the Buddha are profound, disassociated from sin, and permeated with tranquillity. He sees that the worldly people are the slaves of sins, 120 passions and errors, and therefore endure the pain that is inseparable from life. He comprehends that the chain of twelve causes beginning with Avidya engenders mass of sorrow and suffering of all beings. He pities them and resolves to save and establish them in Nirvana, the extreme happiness (atyantasukha). 121 While in the Pramudita bhumi he develops compassion and love and applies himself to Mahatyaga or great renunciation which means giving up everything of worldly wealth, wife, children, his own limbs and life, under ten categories. After becoming well versed in all Sastras, he is able to judge what is good and what is evil for beings and becomes Lokajna. By constant worship and observance of Sasana, he possesses the ten virtues which accomplish the ten stages. They are faith, compassion, love, sacrifice, patience to withstand distress, knowledge of the scriptures, knowledge of the world, modesty, bashfulness, steadiness and the ability 120 evam gambhirah... buddhadharmah evam vivittah evem santah evem sunyah... 121 Ete asmabhih sattvah paritratvyah parimocayitavya ato mahasammohat, atyantsukhe ca nirvane pratisthapayitavyah iti.

122 of performing the worship of the Tathagatas. 68 He sees many Buddhas, worships and provides them with all the necessary requisites, shows respect to their community (Sangha) and transfers the merit thus acquired to the attainment of Enlightenment (Sambodhi). He gains the power to mature the living beings through Charity (Dana), Pleasant Speech (Priyavadita) and Strong Desire (Adhimukti). Over and above these, he obtains two modes of hospitality 123 (samgravastus),' but not yet the insight into the unlimited knowledge. He pays special attention to the first Sangrahavastu, that is charity, in this stage. He practises the Perfection of Charity (Danaparamita) and also cultivates the other Perfections: according to his capacity. He acquires ten types of skill or proficiency 125 relative to the Bodhisattva 122 ibid. p. 12. Dasabhumiparisodhakadharma : Sraddha, karuna, maitri, tyaga, khedasahisnuta, sastrajnata, lokajnata, hryapatrapyya, dhrtibaladhana, tathagatapujopasthana. 123 They are Dana and Priyavadita. Dasabhumika-Sutra p.13, p.14, p. 18, p.23, p.26: Mahavyutpatti p. 25: Bodhisattvabhumi p. 10. For the details, see footnote no. 82, p.46 in this thesis. 124 125 Mahavyutpatti p.34. It gives a list of ten. This is common in Pali works. Dasabhumika-Sutra p. 13: (1) bhumipaksaprathipaksakusala, (2) bhumisamvartavivarta-, (3) bhumyakaranisyanda-, (4) bhumipratilambhavibhavana-, (5) bhumyangaparisodhana-, (6) bhumerbhumisamkramana-, (7) bhumibhumivyavasthana-, (8) humibhumivisesajnana-, (9) bhumibhumipratilambhapratyudavartya-, (10) tathagatajnanabhumyakramana-.

69 stages. He obtains full information about the difficulties and perils of the Path before starting on a journey as a skillful caravan-leader; even so a wise Bodhisattva now learns everything about the discipline and duties of his long career. The Bodhisattva, who has attained the first stage, is entitled to become a king of Jambudvipa and be a righteous ruler with mind always turned towards Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, the Bodhisattva practices, and omniscience. He earnestly desires to become the first, foremost, and best of all beings. He sets his energy in motion in conformity with his aspirations. As a result of it, he renounces his worldly belongings and adopts the religious instruction of the Buddha as a wandering monk. 126 In a moment, he enters into a hundred samadhis, sees a hundred Buddhas, traverses over a hundred lokadhatus, and performs extraordinary matters.