འཕགས་པ་ཆས་ཡང་དག་པར་སྡད་པ་ཞས་བྱ་བ་ཐག་པ་ཆན་པའ་མད 6.9

6.9

These actions are based in great compassion¹⁷⁵ and are governed by great compassion.¹⁷⁶ This is the basis for establishing the benefit of beings, and proceeds from the highest intention to bring happiness and benefit to all beings. With this kind of intention to be of benefit, bodhisattvas adopt the perspective, ‘I will practice those practices that bring benefit and happiness to all beings.’ They practice with the awareness that the aggregates are illusory, but do not try to reject the aggregates. They practice with the awareness that the elements are like a venomous snake, but do not try to reject the elements. They practice with the awareness that the sense bases are like an empty town, but do not try to reject the sense bases.¹⁷⁷

“Similarly, they practice with the awareness that forms are like drifts of foam, but do not reject accomplishing the form body of the thus-gone ones. They practice with the awareness that sensations are like bubbles, but do not cease making effort in the methods of practicing the bliss of the Thus-Gone One’s meditative concentration, samādhi, and meditative composure. They practice with the awareness that perceptions are like a mirage, but do not cease to practice the Thus-Gone One’s wisdom. They practice with the awareness that karmic formations are like a plantain tree, but do not cease to practice the cultivation of the Buddha’s Dharma. They practice with the awareness that consciousness is illusory, but do not cease to practice the actions of body, speech, and mind that are based in wisdom.

“Through generosity, bodhisattvas practice not hoping for reward. Through discipline, they practice protecting beings with poor discipline. Through patience, they practice restraint and calm. Through diligence they practice every practice of the virtuous Dharma.