大乘入道次第 1.11

1.11

Next, within the cultivation of practice, it is again divided into two: first, explaining the generation of the mind [of bodhi]; second, explaining the cultivation of practice. The generation of the mind is again two: first, explaining the generation of the mind; second, explaining the making of vows. Regarding the first, generating the mind: when about to seek the great fruit, one must first generate the mind of bodhi. Because of generating this mind, by yearning for that fruit, one is able thereby to cultivate practices, sever all obstacles of delusion, and realize great nirvāṇa. If the mind is not generated, then there is no yearning or seeking. Yearning and seeking being absent, who would cultivate practice? If practice is not cultivated, how could one sever the obstacles? If obstacles cannot be severed, how could one attain bodhi? Therefore, the first of the ten abodes in the Avataṃsaka-sūtra is named the abode of initial resolve. Among the eighteen abodes in the treatises on the Prajñāpāramitā-sūtras, the first is also named the abode of the practice of generating the mind. The Cheng weishi lun also states: 'from generating the deeply rooted mind of great bodhi'. For this reason, one must first generate the mind; through generating the mind, one enters the reckoning of the asaṃkhyeya [eons]. Based on the various sūtras and treatises, the meaning of generating the mind is now briefly distinguished through ten gates: 1. Explaining the essence of the bodhicitta; 2. Revealing its causes; 3. Manifesting its mental aspects; 4. Discerning its intentional objects; 5. Explaining its superior benefits; 6. Discussing the quantity of its virtues; 7. Comparing its superiority and inferiority; 8. Discerning its metaphors; 9. Explaining the conditions for retrogradation; 10. Revealing its protection.