Stages in the Bodhisattva’s
Journey
August 22,
2016 by Daniel
Scharpenburg
Patheos
Bodhi, or awakening, is present in all
of us.
In a sense it could be said that we’re
all Bodhisattvas, or Enlightenment beings, because we all have this
awakening as our true nature.
In the case of most of us our minds are
obscured by delusion and ignorance, so we don’t see our true nature
as Enlightened.
When we start to penetrate this delusion
and recognize our true nature, stages of actualization
appear.
Bodhicitta is where it starts. This is
the mind of awakening. The mind that compels us to strive for
Enlightenment to help all beings. This awakening is said to pass
through stages.
We can see, on the path, that our first
awakening of Bodhicitta does not transform us all at once. We have
to overcome the influence of greed, hatred, and delusion on our
lives.
This is a description of the stages of
the Bodhisattva as described in the Avatamsaka Sutra. There are
many different ‘maps to Enlightenment’ that can be found in
different Buddhist lineages and texts. This is just one among many
that are found in the Mahayana tradition.
1.Pramudita: This is means “joy”. This
spiritual emergence happens early on in our practice, when we first
start to see the benefits of sincere effort on the Buddhist path.
It’s when we start to see the Dharma with wonder. This is what we
might call first Kensho, when we have our initial experience of
oneness.
2.Vimala: This means “purity”. At this stage we become more gentle.
We have a greater tendency for kindness and honesty. We have begun
to overcome things like ill will and jealousy, as such things are
hindrance on the path.
3.Prabhakari: This means “brightness”. At this stage we start to
have a deep insight into the nature of things. We see all things as
impermanent empty of inherent selfhood. We see how much of
suffering is caused by worrying over things that are obviously
transient and because we see this a great compassion arises in
us.
4.Archismati: This means “inflammation”. At this stage it’s said
that the remnants of ignorance and negative patterns are burned up
in the fire of wisdom. At this stage we can really cultivate good
qualities because we aren’t so held down by the bad ones.
5.Sudurjaya: This means “very difficult to conquer”. At this stage
we penetrate the darkness of ignorance. We have an intuitive
understanding of the Four Noble Truths and the paradox of the
absolute within the relative.
6.Abhimukhi: This means “showing one’s true face”. At this stage we
can intuitively see and understand that all things arise as a
result of dependent origination, that is everything is intimately
dependent on other things for it’s existence, including us.
7.Durangama: This means “going far away”. At this stage we develop
skillful means, the ability to bring others on our journey to
Enlightenment. At this stage we have the power to counteract greed,
hatred, and delusion.
8.Achala: This means “immovable”. At this stage it’s said that we
can’t fall backward to the lower stages. We are at the point where
we no longer wish for Enlightenment. Instead we are coming toward
it naturally. It’s no longer a matter of our motivation. At this
stage full Enlightenment is considered within sight.
9.Sadhumati: This means “good knowledge”. At this stage we have the
Dharma of the deepest mystery, the love of purity, and the will of
freedom. We come to understand the self essence of all beings. We
come to understand that even the teachings have no absolute
reality. We see that all things are subject to the law of
impermanence, constantly coming and going. We see that there is a
fundamental oneness to all things. We understand all dharmas and
are completely able to teach others.
10.Dharmamegha: This means “clouds of Dharma”. This is the final
stage. We have practiced all virtues of purity, we have roused the
mind of Awakening, we are bolstered by diligence and vigor on the
path, we practice the principles of love and sympathy, we have
penetrated into the delusion of separation, we have dwelled in the
deepest parts of our minds. Every thought now dwells in tranquility
and every action is just part of the journey to awakening for the
self and others. At this stage our lives are a manifestation of
love and compassion.
These stages allow us to see what the
ideal is in our journey to Enlightenment. The path of the
Bodhisattva isn’t designed to make us students or teachers. It’s
designed to make us Awakeners. When we are dedicated and united in
the love and wisdom of Bodhicitta we are Bodhisattvas. We can stand
against the flames of ignorance. Because of Bodhicitta a stream of
love and compassion can flow from us.