Chapter 2 - Study: Summary of the Ten Stages

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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 The first bhūmi is called Pramuditā bhūmi which means 'Joyful
stage.' The Daśabhūmika-Sūtra itself explains that this stage is called
'Joyous' because a Bodhisattva while in this stage has the qualities of
prāmodya, prasāda, prīti, utplāvanā, udagrī, uśī, utsāha. He is pleased
also because he knows that he is gradually transcending worldly matters,
nearing to the Buddhabhūmi, the Jñānabhūmi, 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 M.S. Al. chapter xx-xxi, 32.
Paśyatām bodhimāsannām satvārthasya ca sādhanam/
fivra utpadyate modo muditā tena dathyate// The M.S.Al. explains that the
bhumi is so called because a Bodhisattva feels delight (moda) in this stage.
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