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The Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature c8.s6: VII. The Vaçitās

The Bodhisattva Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature c8.s6

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VII. The Vaçitās

c8.s6.1

Vasubandhu teaches that a bodhisattva, who is spiritually advanced, can exhibit all the wonders of ṛddhi, as he has acquired ten vaçitās (Powers, Sovereignties).265 These ten powers are enumerated in the Da. Bhū., the M. Vy., and the Dh. S. But the order, in which they are placed, is not the same in the different treatises. They are also referred to in several other passages of Buddhist literature.266

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According to the author of the Da. Bhū., a bodhisattva acquires them in the eight bhūmi. They are as follows :—

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(1) Āyur-vaçitā (power of longevity). A bodhisattva has sovereignty over the length of life. He can prolong it to an immeasurable number of kalpas (æons).

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(2) *Ceto-(Citta)-vaṣitā*. He has sovereignty over the mind, as he has acquired the knowledge of an infinite number of *samādhis* (modes of Concentration).

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(3) *Pariṣkāra-vaṣitā*. He has mastery of Equipment, as he knows all the arrangements and adornments of all the worlds and universes.

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(4) *Karma-vaṣitā*. He has sovereignty over Action, as he comprehends the consequences of deeds at the proper time.

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(5) *Upapatti-vaṣitā*. He has mastery over Birth, as he understands the origin of all the worlds and universes.

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(6) *Adhimukti-vaṣitā*. He has sovereignty over Faith (or Aspiration), as he sees well all the Buddhas of all the worlds and universes.

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(7) *Praṇidhāna-vaṣitā*. He has mastery over all the Vows, as he sees well the time for Enlightenment in any buddha-field according to his desire.

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(8) *Ṛddhi-vaṣitā*. He is lord of the wonder-working Power, as he sees well the marvels of all the buddha-fields.

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(9) *Dharma-vaṣitā*. He has mastery over the Doctrine, as he beholds the light of the source of the Doctrine in the beginning, the middle and the end.

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(10) *Jñāna-vaṣitā*. He comprehends thoroughly the attributes of a Buddha, viz. his Powers, his Grounds of Self-confidence, his special exclusive attributes, and the principal marks and the minor signs on his body. Therefore he is the Lord of Knowledge.

Cites (3)