Introduction to the Ten Stages (Dasabhumi)

The aim of aim of a Bodhisattva is to attain the Buddha-hood. He understands that it is the highest goal of life. According to the Dasabhumika-Sutra, in order to reach this goal he has to go through the strenuous task of graduating through the ten stages (Dasabhumi). One has to proceed successively from one to another, without skipping over any bhumi. Therefore, total accomplishment of each bhumi is essential for the success in final attainment. The Dasabhumika-Sutra begins with the auspicious sloka requesting that those who are desirous of Enlightenment should listen to this text, and then it starts with the phrase, 'evam maya srutam' which , 102 102 This introduction has been discussed at length in the various commentaries on the Pali canon. The Pali is slightly different: evam me suttam. ekam samayam bhagava... viharati.

61 occurs at the beginning of almost all Sutras. The abode of Vasavarti forms the location for the Dasabhumika-Sutra. The principal characters are a group of Bodhisattvas headed by Vajragarbha. The time is the second week after the Buddha's Enlightenment. By the power of the Buddha, the Bodhisattva Vajragarbha entered into Bodhisattva-trance called Mahayanaprabhasa. Bodhisattvas, who reached the scene from their respective Buddha realms. Those who are known by the same name of 'Vajragarbha,' gave reasons for their appearance and wished that the doctrine capable of gaining entrance into the light of doctrine may dawn upon This was highly applauded by innumerable Vajragarbha. 103 Bodhisattva Bodhisattva Vajragarbha arose from the trance when his head was touched by supernatural power of those divine Buddhas. He then addressed the Bodhisattvas gathered there and praised the Bodhisattva vows which enable an aspirant of Enlightenment to comprehend the fields of knowledge of the Buddhas of past, present and future, and to grasp the doctrine of the Ten Bodhisattva stages. After referring to those potentialities and names of the Ten bhumis, Bodhisattva Vajragarbha 104 103 Dasabhumika-Sutra p. 2, (21). 104 ibid. p.3: ...samutkarsikoayam...bodhisattvanam mahasattvanam bodhimargaparisodhanadharmamukhalokah yad idam dasabhumiprabhedavyavasthanam. acintyamidas sthanam yad idam bhumijnanam iti.

62 suddenly fell into silence. This roused the curiosity of the Bodhisattvas and they began to inquire into details of the Ten Stages. Bodhisattva Vimukticandra, the interlocutor, requested, on behalf of them, Bodhisattva Vajragarbha to deliver an exposition of the Bhumis. Bodhisattva Vajragarbha, however, dissuaded them by pointing out the incomprehensibility of the doctrine of Bodhisattvabhumis. Bodhisattva Vajragarbha, the main speaker, argued that although the assembly of the Bodhisattvas was pure and ready to grasp the essence of Ten Bhumis, the discourse, after being heard, might lead to skepticism and produce doubt in the minds of some of them. That would result in prolonging misfortune, privation and misery, and hence his hesitation 105 in explaining the doctrine of Bodhisattvabhumis to 105 Majjhima Nikaya I. p.426; Samyuttanikaya 3. pp. 109-115. This reminds us of the reticence of the Buddha and his hesitation to preach what he had discovered and the adoption of missionary life (Mahavagga pp.7-8). The Buddha stayed there for a week and getting up from the meditation went to the root of Ajapala-tree. There also he spent a week in meditation and experienced its joy. When he was alone in solitude, a thought arose in his mind:- "I have penetrated in the Dhamma which is profound, difficult to perceive, unattainable by reasoning, and abstruse in nature. The people on the other hand are given to desire and taking delight in desire. If I proclaim the Dhamma to them and they are not able to understand, there would be weariness and annoyance to me." Thinking so, he decided not to preach the Dhamma. It was a very crucial moment in the life of the Buddha. He completed all the Ten Perfections for suffering humanity. What will be the benefit for them. He thought to

63 them. This apprehension of Bodhisattva Vajragarbha is dispelled by Bodhisattva Vimukticandra by saying that such matters would be well guarded by the power of the Tathagata. Further, he states that the Ten Stages are the primary practices in order to attain the Buddha's doctrine. 106 As soon as Bodhisattva Vajragarbha agreed to deliver his discourse, beams of light called Bodhisattvabala loka with innumerable light-streams issued from the pores of Sakyamuni's body, and illuminated all the world spheres; quitened all the evil states and sufferings; darkened the realm of Mara, brightened all the Buddha assemblies; illustrated unthinkable power of Buddha's knowledge-sphere; showered lustre upon the Bodhisattvas preaching the law in the assemblies of the Tathagatas in all the world spheres and demonstrated innumerable Buddha miracles; settled in the sky in the form of a large cloud-net of rays. This performance was repeated make a boat of Dhamma and thereby take them away to the other shore of happiness. But when he became able to make the people free from suffering, he would think to preach the Dhamma. This state of mind of the Buddha was understood by Sahampati-Brahma who appeared before him and requested thrice to preach the same for the benefit of the suffering humanity. He also told that there would be persons with little dust (defilements) who would hear and understand it. Being repeatedly requested in this way, the Buddha decided to preach the Dhamma. 106 esa hi adicarya. esa samudagamah buddhadharmanam.

64 by all the divine Buddhas. By the power of the Buddha, a voice issued out from the cloud-net in the sky for imploring Bodhisattva Vajragarbha to expound the doctrine of the Ten Stages. Bodhisattva Vajragarbha started his exposition of Ten Stages according to the teaching of the doctrine, and added that he himself was not capable of expounding such a doctrine but was undertaking the task by the divine inspiration of the Buddha. 107