Chapter 2 - Study: Summary of the Ten Stages

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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 Bhūmis.
Bodhisattva Vajragarbha, however,
dissuaded them by pointing out the incomprehensibility of the doctrine of
Bodhisattvabhūmis.
Bodhisattva Vajragarbha, the main speaker, argued
that although the assembly of the Bodhisattvas was pure and ready to
grasp the essence of Ten Bhūmis, 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 Bodhisattvabhūmis to
105 MN. I. p.426; SN.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 (Mahāvagga pp.7-8). The Buddha stayed there for a week and getting up from the
meditation went to the root of Ajapāla-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