Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c8.s2.t1.4

c8.s2.t1.4

About the pre-Bodhisattva stage we come across very often in the Prajñāpāramitās and other Mahāyāna works a general remark that a being who has performed meritorious acts (avaropitakuśalamūla), served many previous Buddhas (pūrvajinakṛtādhikāra), and has had many kalyāṇamitras (spiritual guides) is destined to attain Bodhi.² In a slightly different manner the Sūtrālaṅkāra³ says that a being who has developed Adhimukti⁴ (aspiration) through innumerable æons, filled himself with merits as the sea is by water, gone through the preliminary purification by the observance of the Bodhisattva discipline, becomes wise by learning śāstras, and makes his mind soft and pliable,⁵ is entitled to exert himself in bhāvanā (i.e. repeated darśana) and benefit by the teachings of Buddha.