Aspects of Mahayana Buddhism and its Relation to Hinayana c9.s2.1

c9.s2.1

These are a few of the rules of conduct laid down for the lay bodhisattvas and noticed incidentally in the *Śikṣāsamuccaya*. There are also many rules for developing bodhicitta or practising the pāramitās applicable to both Gṛhī and Pravrajita-bodhisattvas, to which we shall refer later on. It should be noted that the Mahāyānists were careful to consult the whims and conveniences of kings and princes by providing some special rules for them⁴. In the *Rājāvavādakāsūtra*, *e.g.*, it is stated that kings have many important duties to perform, and so they cannot practise the pāramitās fully. Therefore, when walking, sitting, lying, eating or drinking they should develop desire for sambodhi, cultivate faith in the possibility of its attainment and form resolutions accordingly. They should concentrate their minds upon qualities of all buddhas, bodhisattvas, pratyekabuddhas and śrāvakas, and transfer the merits thus acquired to the benefit of all beings and thereby help them in the attainment of omniscience. In this way, a king can discharge the duties of his kingdom as well as he can acquire merits for attaining bodhi and bodhicitta⁵.