The discipline of a Bodhisattva

The discipline (vinaya) of a Bodhisattva is different than that of a worldling (prithagjana) including worldling monks and nuns, including even those who take the vow of a Bodhisattva since they have never had real Bodhicitta. According to the Sutra, On Virtue and Discipline,in the larger Maharatnakuta Sutra (trans. Garma C.C. Chang) it is even different than that of a sravaka (disciple) who is at least a stream winner (srotapanna); who has entered the supermundane path.

Even if Bodhisattvas enjoy the five sensuous pleasures with unrestricted freedom for kalpas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, as long as they do not give up their bodhicitta, they are said not to break the precepts. Why? Because Bodhisattvas are skilled in protecting their bodhicitta, and dwell securely in it; they are not afflicted by any passions, even in dreams. Further, they should gradually root out their defilements instead of exterminating them all in one lifetime.(The italics are mine.)

Since Bodhicitta is enlightenment that isnt yet fully developed, in the midst of things such as sensuous pleasures, the Bodhisattva has to stick with it, above all else. It alone is free of defilements being no thing as compared with everything else which is transitory. It is the Bodhisattvas lodestar, in other words. With it the Bodhisattva, like Siddhartha, will defeat Mara the Evil One and become a Buddha.

With such a discipline, all things, eventually, become completely illusory because of the power of Bodhicitta. Things are the same as space, empty and devoid of true reality (svabhva). In truth, there is only Mind. The world we see has never actually existed. Only Mind is real.


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