Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c8.s1.12

c8.s1.12

² Dr. Rahder says in his paper on La Carrière du Saint Bouddhique that the Chinese Avataṃsaka-sūtra devotes a large section to the discussion of the career of a bodhisattva. He says that it speaks of 52 stages (or degrees), viz., "10 especes de Foi + 10 Résidences (adhimukti) + 10 Conduites (ācāra) + 10 Déflexions + 10 Terres (Bhūmi) + Eveil égal + Eveil merveilleux." These, it seems from their details, are only a form of classification of the bodhisattvas according to their qualities and do not indicate the gradual stages of spiritual progress. It is in the fifth item that we find mention of the Bhūmis (stages of progress). They are as given by Dr. Rahder in French, (i) Joyeuse; (ii) Immaculée; (iii) Clarifiante; (iv) Radieuse; (v) Dure-à-gagner; (vi) Droit-en-face; (vii) Va-loin; (viii) Immobile; (ix) Bon-Esprit; (x) Nuage d'Essence. These are exactly the same bhūmis as mentioned in the Daśa. and other works.