Nagarjuna Bodhisattva on the Perfection of Patience

Part One of Two

Beta Translation by Dharmamitra

The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom

Section Twenty-four: The Explanation of the Meaning of Chapter One's K.saanti Paaramitaa.

Sutra: Because the mind does not move, one should perfect k.saanti paaramitaa.

Treatise:

Question: What is meant by "k.saanti"?

Response: (In the language of Ch'in, k.saanti means patience.)(1) Patience is of two types: patience with respect to beings and patience with respect to dharmas.

When the bodhisattva practices patience with respect to beings he gains an incalculable measure of merit. When he practices patience with respect to dharmas he gains an incalculable measure of wisdom. Because he perfects the two factors of merit and wisdom his achievement accord with his aspirations. This is analogous to a person who, because he possesses both eyes and feet, is able to reach wherever his mind intends. If the bodhisattva encounters harsh speech or cursing or if he is set upon with knives or clubs, he reflects and realizes that they are the karmic causes and conditions resulting from offenses and merit, and that all dharmas, whether subject-related or object-related are ultimately empty, devoid of self and devoid of anything belonging to a self. Although he may have the power to respond in kind, because the three dharmic imprints (dharmamudraa) imprint all dharmas, he does not produce evil thoughts and does not bring forth the karma of harsh speech.(2) At that time a dharma belonging to the mind arises which is known as "patience." Because he has gained this dharma of patience, patience and wisdom become durable and solidly established. This is analogous to painting. If the pigments are mixed with a binder, then they adhere solidly.

There are those who say that the mind of goodness is of two types. There is the coarse and there is the subtle. The coarse is characterized by patience and the subtle is characterized by dhyana absorption. When one has not yet gained the mental bliss of dhyana absorption but is still able to block himself off from committing the manifold evils, this is [goodness characterized by] patience. When the mind has gained the mental bliss of dhyana absorption and so does not engage in the manifold evils this is [goodness characterized by] dhyana absorption.

This patience is a dharma belonging to the mind. It is interactive with the mind and follows along with the actions of the mind. It is not the case that it is karma in and of itself and it is not the case that it occurs as a karmic retribution. It occurs in conjunction with karmic actions.

There are those who say that it is connected with two of the [three] realms. There are those who say that it is connected only with the desire realm or that it has no [such] connections. This is because there are no external evils to be endured in the form realm. It may either be attended by outflows or characterized by the absence of outflows. This is because it may be gained by either the common person or the arya. Because one blocks off unwholesome dharmas originating in both one's own mind and the minds of others it is referred to as "good." Because it is good it may involve severance through consideration or perhaps may not involve severance. There are all sorts of other issues such as these which are extensively distinguished in the Abhidharma.

Question: What is meant by patience with respect to beings?

Response: There are two kinds of beings which come and approach the bodhisattva: The first are those who are respectful and who contribute offerings. The second are those who are hateful, who scold and who bring injury through blows. At such times the mind of the bodhisattva is able to be patient. He does not feel affection for the beings who contribute offerings nor does he hate those beings who heap evil upon him. This constitutes patience with respect to beings.

Question: How is it that one can speak of "patience" with regard to respectfulness and the giving of offerings?

Response: There are two kinds of fetters: The first are the fetters which belong to the sphere of affection. The second are those fetters which belong to the sphere of hatefulness. Although respectfulness and the giving of offerings do not generate hatefulness, they cause the mind to become affectionately attached. These are known as the soft thieves. Hence one should cause himself to be patient with these things so that he is not attached or moved by affection. How is one able to be patient? One contemplates that they are impermanent and that they constitute a point for the potential arisal of the fetters. As stated by the Buddha, the wounds which occur through offerings go deep. It is as if they cut through the skin and reach the flesh, cut through the flesh and reach the bone, and then break through the bones and reached the marrow. When a person becomes attached to offerings then he breaks through the skin of upholding the precepts, cuts into the flesh of dhyana absorption, breaks through the bones of wisdom, and brings about loss of the marrow of the subtle and marvelous mind of goodness.

This principle is exemplified by a case which began when the Buddha first roamed to the state of Kapilavastu. He went together with 1,250 bhikshus, all of whom had the physical appearance of brahmacaarins. Because they had previously been involved in making offerings to fire, their form and appearance were haggard. Because they had previously been engaged in the ascetic practice of fasting, their skin and flesh were emaciated and black. King Shuddhodana thought to himself, "Although my son's retinue is pure in mind and pure in conduct they are utterly lacking as regards their appearance. I should select from among those families with many sons and grandsons and have each send one man to be a disciple of the Buddha." After he had this thought he issued an edict throughout the country so as to be able to select from among the sons of the Shakyan nobility. Those who came forth in response to the official declaration were all ordered to leave the home life.

At this time, Devadatta, the son of King Dro.nadana, left the home life, studied the Way and memorized the 60,000-section Dharma collection. He was vigorous in his cultivation for a full twelve years. Afterwards, for the sake of the benefit of offerings, he came to the place where the Buddha was and sought to study the superknowledges (abhij "Gautama, if you contemplate the impermanence of the five aggregates you can succeed in gaining the Way and will also gain the superknowledges." But he did not instruct him in the method of obtaining the superknowledges.

Devadatta left and sought this same thing from Shariputra, from Maudgalyaayana and eventually from five hundred arhats. None of them would explain it to him, saying instead, "You should contemplate the impermanence of the five aggregates. You can thereby gain the Way and can also gain the superknowledges."

He did not get what he was seeking and so wept and felt unhappy. He went to where Ananda was and sought to study the superknowledges. At this time Ananda had not yet achieved the knowledge of others thoughts (paracittajnaana). Out of respect for his elder brother he passed these techniques on to Devadatta as they had been explained to him by the Buddha. Having gotten the method for studying the superknowledges, he went into the mountains and before long gained the five superknowledges.

After he had gained the five superknowledges he thought to himself, "Who should become my daanapati?(3) There is, for instance, Prince Ajaatashatru. He possesses the features of a great king." Seeking to become his close intimate, he went up to the heavens and acquired heavenly food. Returning by way of Uttaravatii, he obtained some "spontaneous" rice. Finally, he went to the Jambu forest, got some Jambu fruit, and then presented them to Prince Ajaatashatru. Sometimes he would transform himself into a precious elephant or into a precious horse so as to play tricks on the Prince's mind. At other times he would become an infant and sit on his knee. The Prince would cradle him in his arms and he would coo and gurgle and drool. Each time he did this, he would utter his own name thereby causing the Prince to become aware of it. He manifest all sorts of unusual appearances in order to move the Prince's mind. The Prince's mind was tricked by this. In the Ambavana park he built an immense vihaara.(4) He prepared the four kinds of offerings as well as all sorts of other assorted gifts There was nothing not present in abundance. He provided them all to Devadatta. Each day he brought along all of the great officials and personally presented five hundred dishes of fine foods with rice.

Devadatta received offerings in great measure and yet his following of disciples was very small in number. He thought to himself, "I possess thirty of the marks of a great man, only slightly less than the Buddha. It is only that I have not yet had disciples gathering around me. If I was surrounded by a great assembly, how would I be any different from the Buddha?" After having had thoughts like this he developed the idea to break up the Sangha and so gain five hundred disciples. Shariputra and Maudgalyaayana spoke Dharma and provided instruction. As a result the Sangha became harmonious and united again.

Devadatta then had the evil idea to pushing down [a boulder] from the mountain to crush the Buddha. A vajra-bearing stalwart intervened from a distance by throwing his vajra cudgel [to deflect it]. A broken piece of the boulder rolled up and injured the Buddha's toe. Floral Appearance Bhikshuni(5) rebuked Devadatta who responded by striking the bhikshuni with his fist. The bhikshuni's eyes popped out [from the force of the blow] and she immediately died.

He committed three nefarious offenses and drew close to such evil and fallacy-promoting non-buddhist masters as Puura.na. He severed all roots of goodness and his mind became devoid of shame or regret. Additionally, he imbedded a noxious poison under his fingernails, wishing to take the occasion of bowing to the Buddha to injure the Buddha through poisoning. He was about to proceed but had not yet arrived when the earth in the city of the House of Kings spontaneously split open and a fiery carriage came forth. It took him on board and transported him, still alive, down into the hells.

Devadatta's body possessed thirty of the marks of a great man and yet he was unable to resist and overcome his own mind. For the sake of the benefits of offerings he created great offenses and entered the hells while still alive. It is for this reason that it is said that the wounds inflicted by offerings go deep, breaking through the skin and reaching to the marrow.

One should cast off and get rid of the mind which feels affection for those persons who make offerings. This is what is meant by the bodhisattva's mind of patience not becoming affectionately attached to those persons who make offerings or demonstrate respect.

Moreover, there are three kinds of offerings: The first are those which come on account of the causes and conditions associated with past-life merit. The second are those where one receives respect and offerings from people on account of the present life merit associated with cultivating the precepts, dhyana absorption and wisdom. The third are those where one gains offerings through falseness and pretense by deceiving others at the time when, although one is inwardly devoid of actual meritorious qualities, one makes it appear outwardly as if one is utterly pure.

With respect to these three kinds of offerings one should consider to oneself, "If one now obtains offerings through the causes and conditions of former lives wherein one diligently cultivated merit, this is just something which has been created through personal diligence and thus naturally obtained. What would be the point in becoming haughty over something like this? This is just like planting in the spring and reaping in the fall. This is something gained individually through the application of one's own strength. What in it is sufficient cause for arrogance?" After one has considered in this manner one is able to endure and overcome his own mind so that he is able to refrain from being attached or prideful.

If on account of efforts in the present life one has merit and so obtains offerings, one should think to oneself, "This comes to me on account of wisdom, whether through understanding the reality mark of all dharmas or whether through being able to cut off the fetters. It is on account of this merit. When this person makes offerings it has nothing to do with me." After having considered in this fashion one naturally overcomes his own thoughts and is not arrogant or condescending. [One also realizes], "Truly, this is a case of having a fondness for merit. It is not that they are fond of me."

This is comparable to the case of the Kashmiri tripi.taka master bhikshu who cultivated the dharma of the ara.nya(6) and who went to one of the King's temples. The temple had set up a great convocation. The person who guarded the door observed the coarse and low-quality nature of his robes and so blocked the door and did not allow him to go on ahead. In this manner, time and time again, on account of his robes being of low quality, he was never allowed to go on forward. Then he employed the skillful means of borrowing a fine robe before coming. The doorman observed this and permitted him to go forward without restriction. Having arrived at a seat in the convocation he obtained all manner of fine foods. Before [eating the food] he first presented it to his robes. Everyone asked him, "Why do you do that?"

He replied, "I have recently come here repeatedly and each time have been unable to gain entry. Now, on account of the robes, I have been able to sit in this seat and obtain all kinds of fine food. It is actually on account of the robes that I have obtained it. It is for this reason that I present it to the robes."

When one obtains offerings on account of the merit of cultivation, on account of upholding the precepts and on account of wisdom, the practitioner should think to himself, "This is on account of merit. It is not the case that it is on account of me." When one contemplates in this fashion and is then able to overcome his own thoughts, this is known as patience.

If one were to gain offerings through falseness and deception, this would constitute self-destruction and thus it is something one cannot approach. One should consider to himself, "If I were to employ this falseness and obtain offerings as a result, it would be no different from an evil thief committing a robbery to get his food. This would constitute falling into the offense of deception.

When in this fashion one's mind refrains from becoming affectionately attached to the three types of offering-bearing persons while also refraining from arrogance, this constitutes patience with respect to beings.

Question: When a person has not yet gained the Way, clothing and food are urgent issues. How does one adopt a skillful means whereby one gains that patience which prevents the mind from becoming attached and which prevents one from developing affection for benefactors?

Response: One employs the power of wisdom to contemplate the mark of impermanence, the mark of suffering and the mark of being devoid of a self so that the mind is in a state of constant renunciation and concern on this account. This is analogous to the criminal who is drawing close to the time of undergoing corporeal punishment. Even though he may have fine flavors set before him, even though his family may have come to offer him encouragement, and even though the refreshments and meals may be the most exquisite cuisine, on account of being distressed over the thought of dying, he is unaware of its distinctive taste. The practitioner is just like this. He constantly contemplates the mark of impermanence and the mark of suffering. Although he obtains offerings, still, his mind is not attached.

This is also analogous to the antelope (jang, a.k.a. Moschus chinloo) which is hotly pursued by the tiger and is not able to lose him completely. Although he gets fine grasses and the best water, when he is drinking and eating his mind is devoid of defiling attachments. The practitioner is also just like this. He is constantly pursued by the tiger of impermanence and is unable to escape it for even a moment. His consideration is characterized by renunciation and abhorrence. Although he may obtain fine flavors, still, he does not develop defiling attachments. Therefore, in the midst of people who present offerings, the mind of the practitioner achieves spontaneous patience.

Furthermore, if it happens that women come who are desirous of sensual pleasures and who seek to seduce the bodhisattva, at such times the bodhisattva should overcome his own thoughts, have patience and not allow them to arise. This situation is comparable to that of Shakyamuni Buddha beneath the bodhi tree. The king of the demons was distressed and so sent three of his "jade" daughters. The first was named "Blissful to Behold." The second was named "Pleasurable to Others." The third was named "Lust." They came, revealed their bodies and assumed various poses, desiring to destroy the bodhisattva. At this time the mind of the bodhisattva did not move for even a moment and he did not lay eyes upon them for even a moment.

The three maidens thought to themselves, "The minds of people are not the same. That which they are fond of is different in each case. Some are fond of the young, some are fond of the middle-aged. Some are fond of those who are tall and some are fond of those who are short. Some are fond of those who are black and some are fond of those who are white. There are many preferences like these. Everyone has that of which he is fond."

At this time the three maidens each transformed themselves into five hundred beautiful maidens. Each of the transformationally-produced maidens assumed an incalculable number of unusual poses as they emerged from the forest, like flashes of lightning appearing momentarily from the midst of black clouds. Some displayed their eyebrows and fluttered their eyelids, or posed alluringly, or offered subtle gazes. They made many sorts of music and showed all kinds of seductive mannerisms. They drew close to the bodhisattva, desiring with posed bodies to touch and pressure the bodhisattva. At that time the secret vajra-bearing stalwarts bellowed and glowered hatefully at them, "Who do you think this is that you dare to approach him seductively to touch and bother him?" At that time those secret stalwarts uttered a verse in which they scolded them:

You are unaware of the fate of the gods.
They lose what is fine and their beards turn yellow.
The waters of the great sea which were clear and beautiful,
Today are entirely bitter and salty.

You are unaware that your days are diminishing.
All the gods of Vasu are bound to fall.
Fire is originally the mouth [which consumes] the heavens.
And so now everything shall be devoured.

You are unaware of these matters.
Thus you dare to slight this aarya.
At this time the crowd of maidens suddenly retreated a little and spoke to the bodhisattva, saying, "Now these numerous maidens are beautiful and adorned beyond compare. They could serve to delight your mind. Why do you just sit there so uprightly?"

The Bodhisattva said, "You all are impure, foul-smelling, filthy and detestable. Depart from here and cease this deceptive discourse." At this time the Bodhisattva then spoke forth a verse, saying,

This body is a thicket of filthiness.
It is but a collection of decaying matter.
This truly is a walking toilet.
What in it is sufficient to please the mind?
When the maidens heard this verse, they thought to themselves, "This man is unaware of our pure heavenly bodies and thus utters this verse." They then immediately transformed their bodies, returning to their original forms. They radiated light which shimmered and illuminated the forest and proceeded to make heavenly music. They then spoke to the Bodhisattva, saying, "Since our bodies are like this, what is there to criticize?"

The Bodhisattva replied, saying, "When the time comes you will naturally know."

They asked, "What do you mean by these words?"

He replied with a verse:

In the parks and forests of the heavens,
And in the seven-jewelled lotus blossom pools,
The gods enjoy sensual pleasures with one another,
And lose track of time as you yourselves know.

At this time one undergoes impermanence.
The pleasures of the gods are all suffering.
You should renounce the pleasures of desire.
Have affection for and pleasure in the right, true Way.
When the maidens had heard this verse, they thought to themselves, "This man is possessed of a great wisdom which is incalculable. He realizes the ills inherent even in the pure pleasures of the gods. He is not one who can be obstructed." They then immediately disappeared.

The bodhisattva contemplates in this fashion the pleasures involved in sexual desire. He is able to control his own mind. His patience is such that he is not even slightly moved.

Then again, the bodhisattva contemplates all sorts of impurity in desire. Of all the kinds of ruination, ruination by women is the most severe. One may still remain briefly close to such phenomena as knives, fire, lightning storms, enemies and poisonous snakes. But one cannot grow close to the miserliness, jealousy, hatred, flattery, seductive defilement, disputation, greed and anger of a woman. Why? Women are petty people. Their minds are shallow and their wisdom is scant. Their eyes are only directed towards desire. They have no regard for wealth, nobility, wisdom, virtue or fame. They focus on carrying through with the evils of desire and in destroying a persons roots of goodness. Although one may say that it is difficult to escape fetters, shackles, the cangue, being confined and tied up or being imprisoned, these are still [comparatively] easy to break out of. When the lock of womanhood restrains a man, the defilement is solid and its roots go deep. One who has no wisdom becomes immersed in it and finds that it is a difficult thing to escape. Of all of the many kinds of illness, the female illness is the most severe. This is exemplified by a verse spoken by the Buddha:

One should rather use red-hot iron
And twist it around in the eyes.
Don't take up the scattered mind
And gaze perversely on the form of a woman.

The subtle smile, the making of gestures,
The arrogance, the shamefulness,
The turn of the head, the inviting gaze,
The lovely words, the jealousy and hate,

The walking along with defiling seductiveness,--
These are used to trick a man
Into the net of lustfulness.
People all trap themselves.

Sitting, lying down, walking or standing,
The sidelong glance turned away and the clever flattery,--
In the case of the foolish man with scant wisdom,
His mind is intoxicated by it.

One can grasp a sword and direct it at an enemy,
In this one can still be victorious,
But when the female insurgent inflicts harm on a man,
This is something which one cannot restrain.

Insects and snakes which possess a poison
Still may be grasped with the hands.
The emotions of women delude a man.
These are such as cannot be touched.

For a man who is possessed of wisdom,
They are such as should not be looked upon.
If one wishes to observe them,
It should be as one would one's mother or sister.

If one uses the gaze of reality to contemplate them,
They are a gathering together which is filled with impurities.
If the fire of lust is not gotten rid of,
One will be utterly burned up by it.
Moreover, as for the characteristics of women, if they encounter a situation where they are treated with veneration then they cause the husband's mind to be elevated. If the worshipful emotions slip away, then they cause the husband's mind to be terrorized. In this fashion, women constantly deliver emotional afflictions, distress and fearfulness to men. How can one draw close to them? The offense of women lies in their substitution of contrariness and estrangement for intimacy and good feeling. The intelligence of women lies in their ability to cleverly assess the vulnerabilities of men. A great fire which burns people might still be approachable. A light breeze which has no form might still be laid hold of. Poisonous insects and snakes might still be touched. But in the mind of a woman one can find nothing substantial. Why is this? It is the mark of women that they have no regard for wealth, nobility, uprightness and correctness, fame, wisdom, virtue, family background, artistic ability, eloquence, intimacy or deep love. None of these have priority in their minds. They only look towards that which they desire. They act like poisonous dragons which do not discriminate between those who are fine and those who are disgusting, but which seek only to kill people.

Moreover, women will pay no attention to anyone who is in distress, suffering or haggard. Their interest lies in being provided with material support and worshipful admiration. Their vanity and extravagance are uncontrollable.

Additionally, if they are in the company of good people, then they adopt for themselves a lofty mind. If they are in the company of those who are lacking in intelligence, they look upon them as if they were enemies. If they are in the company of the wealthy and noble, they pursue them with admiring affection. If they are in the company of those who are poor or of humble station, they look upon them as if they were dogs. They constantly follow the mind of desire and do not pursue meritorious qualities.(7)

In this connection there once was a king who had a daughter named Kumuda. There was a fisherman named Shu-pwo-chye. He was walking along the road when he looked from afar and saw the princess's face in the window of a tall building. In his imagination he developed thoughts of defiled attachment which he could not relinquish for even a moment. He went through days and months during which he was unable to drink or eat. His mother asked him the reason and he revealed his feelings to his mother, "I saw the daughter of the King. My mind is unable to forget her."

The mother explained to her son, saying, "You are a man of lesser station. The daughter of the King is an honored member of the nobility. She is unobtainable."

The son said, "My mind prays for this bliss and is unable to forget it for even a moment. If I cannot have it as I will it then I will be unable to go on living."

For the sake of her son the mother entered the palace of the King, constantly providing gifts of fat fish and fine meats which she left for the daughter of the King without asking any remuneration. The princess thought this strange and so asked her what wish she was seeking to fulfill. The mother addressed the princess, "Pray, dismiss the retainers. I must relate a personal matter." [She then continued], "I have only one son. He cherishes a respectful admiration for the daughter of the King. His feelings have taken hold in a way that has caused him to become ill. He is not likely to survive much longer. I pray that you will condescend to have pity on him and give him back his life."

The princess said, "On the fifteenth of the month have him go into such-and-such a god's shrine and stand behind the image of the god."

The mother returned and told her son, "Your wish has already been fulfilled." She then described what had transpired. He bathed, put on new clothes and stood behind the image of the god.

When the time came, the princess told her father the King, "I have something inauspicious which has come up. I must go to the shrine of the god and seek for auspiciousness and blessings."

The King replied, "That is very good." He then had five hundred carriages adorned which proceeded to the shrine of the god. Having arrived, she ordered her retainers to close the doors and wait as she entered the shrine alone. The heavenly spirit thought, "This should not be this way. The King is the lord of the land. I cannot allow this petty man to destroy and dishonor the princess." He then caused the man to become tired and to fall into a sleep from which he did not awaken. Having entered, the princess saw him sleeping. She shook him very hard and yet he did not awaken. She left him a necklace worth a hundred thousand double-ounces of gold and then went away. After she had left, this man was able to awaken and see that the necklace was there. Next, he asked a person in the crowd and knew that the King's daughter had come. Because he was unable to follow up on his infatuation he became distressed, full of regret and overcome with the affliction of grief. The fire of lust broke loose within him. He was burned up by it and then died.

With this as evidence one therefore knows that the mind of a woman is such that she does not distinguish between the noble and the base but is only concerned with following her desires.

Again, there once was the daughter of a king who pursued a caîàÀla and consummated impure acts with him. Also, there once was the daughter of a rishi who followed after and pursued a lion. All sorts of examples such as these demonstrate that a woman's mind is unable to be selective in this regard. On account of all sorts of such reasons one should gets rid of emotional desires towards women and patiently refrain from affectionate attachment to them.

How does one succeed in being patient in the midst of people who are hateful and tormenting? One should consider to oneself, "All beings possess the causes and conditions of offenses and alternate in attacking and harming one another. That I now undergo torment is also owing to causes and conditions from actions in previous lives. Although this is not something I have committed in this present life, it is the retribution for evil committed in a previous life. I am now paying for it. I should accept it agreeably. How could I go against it?" This is analogous to owing a debt. When the lender asks for it, one ought to repay it happily. One can't get angry over it.

Moreover, the practitioner constantly implements thoughts of loving-kindness. Although there may be torment and chaos forced on his person, he must certainly be able to have patience and undergo it.

This is exemplified by the rishi who practiced k.saanti. He dwelt in a great forest where he cultivated patience and practiced loving-kindness. At that time King Kali brought his courtesans along with him as he entered the forest to wander and sport about. Having finished his refreshments and meal the King took a short nap.

The courtesans wandered off amongst the flowers and trees and then saw this rishi. They offered their reverential respects and then stood off to one side. At that time, for the sake of the courtesans he spoke in praise of loving-kindness and patience. His words were so fine and marvelous that the listeners could not get enough. They remained a long time and would not leave.

King Kali woke up and failed to see his courtesans and so picked up his sword and followed along behind so as to catch up with them. He saw them standing before the rishi. He became filled up with arrogance and jealousy. With hate-filled glowering he brandished his sword and demanded of the rishi, "Just what are you doing?!"

The rishi replied, saying, "I'm abiding here in the cultivation of patience and the practice of loving-kindness."

The King said, "I'm now going to put you to the test. I'm going to take a sharp sword and slice off your ears and nose. I'm going to chop off your hands and feet. If you don't get angry then we'll know that you cultivate patience."

The rishi said, "Do what you will."

The King immediately drew forth his sword and sliced off his ears and nose and chopped off his hands and feet. He then asked, "Has your mind moved or not?"

He replied, "I cultivate loving-kindness and compassion. The mind has not moved."

The King said, "You are just a single person here. You have no power [in this situation]. Although you claim that you have not moved, who would believe it?"

At this time the rishi immediately made a vow, "If I truly cultivate loving-kindness and patience, the blood ought to turn into milk." The blood immediately transformed into milk.

The King was both greatly frightened and delighted. He then left, leading away the courtesans with him. At this time the dragons and spirits of the forest set loose a cataclysmic storm with thunder and lightning bolts on account of [his actions toward] this rishi. The King was mortally wounded by it and, sinking away, he did not return to the palace. And so it is said that even in the midst of torment and chaos one must practice patience.

Additionally, the bodhisattva cultivates the mind of compassion. All beings are constantly undergoing manifold sufferings. They dwell in the womb and are forced through a narrow passageway in which they undergo all manner of suffering and pain. When they are born they are subjected to such forceful pressure that it is as if their bones and flesh are crushed. The cold wind which strikes their bodies more severely than a sword or a halberd. Hence the Buddha said that among all of the types of suffering, the suffering of being born is the most intense. In this same fashion the suffering of growing old, becoming sick and dying are fraught with difficulty and misery. How could a practitioner add yet more to their sufferings? This would be like plunging a knife wound into the center of an open sore.

Additionally, the bodhisattva reminds himself, "I should not be like everyone else who constantly follows along in the flowing current of birth and death. I should move against the current and seek to reach its very source by entering the way of nirvana. All common people, when met with attack are hateful, when met with benefit are delighted, and when in a frightening place become fearful. In becoming a bodhisattva I cannot be like them. Although I have not yet cut off the fetters I should still exert self-restraint in the cultivation of patience. When tormented and injured I will not be hateful and when encountering respect and offerings, I will not be delighted. I should not be fearful of the intense difficulties involved in the manifold forms of suffering. I should let flourish the mind of great compassion for the sake of beings."

Moreover if the bodhisattva sees a being coming to afflict him with torment and chaos he should think to himself, "This is my close friend. He is also my guru. I must enhance my treatment of him with familial affection and respectful thoughts. Why? Because if he does not afflict me with manifold forms of torment then I will be unable to perfect the practice of patience." It is for this reason that he says, "He is my close friend and he is also my guru."

Moreover the bodhisattva's awareness accords with the statements of the Buddha. [And so he considers,] "Throughout beginningless time and in a boundless number of world systems, beings have been going and coming, circulating an incalculable number of times through the five destinies. I myself have been the father, mother and elder and younger brother of these beings. These beings have also all served as my father, my mother and as my elder and younger brother. It will be the same in the future as well." Extrapolating like this [he realizes that] he should not nurture an evil mind which cherishes hatefulness and harm. He additionally considers, "Among the beings, those who are of the lineage of the buddhas are extremely many. If I have hateful intentions towards them then this is just being hateful towards the buddhas. If I am hateful towards the buddhas then I am done for." This is exemplified by the earlier discussion about the pigeon. Even it will succeed in achieving buddhahood. Although it is but a pigeon now, one may not act slightingly towards it.(8)

Additionally, among all of the sorts of affliction, hatefulness is the most serious. Among all of the retributions for committing bad acts, the retribution for hatred is the greatest. The other fetters do not have such severe punishments. This is demonstrated in Shakra Devaanaam Indra's verse in which he queried the Buddha:

What thing is it that slays one's peace and security?
What thing is it that, if slain, one has no regrets?

What thing is it that is the root of poisonousness?
And which devours and destroys every form of good?

What thing is it that one slays and then is praised?
What thing is it that, once slain, results in no more distress?
The Buddha replied with a verse in which he said:

When one slays hatred the mind will be peaceful and secure.
When one slays hatred the mind will have no regrets.

Hatred is the root of poisonousness.
Hatred destroys every form of good.

When one slays hatred, all buddhas offer praise.
If one slays hatred one has no more distress.
The bodhisattva considers, "I now practice compassion. I wish to cause beings to gain happiness. Hatred devours and destroys all forms of goodness. It visits poisonous injury on everyone. How then could I engage in such a severe offense? If one possesses hatefulness one loses even one's own happiness and benefit. How could one be able thus to cause other beings to gain happiness?"

Moreover, all buddhas and bodhisattvas take the great compassion as their foundation. They come forth from compassion. Hatred is the poison which destroys compassion. In that connection it is especially inappropriate. If one destroys the foundation of compassion, how can one be called a bodhisattva? From what does a bodhisattva emerge? It is for these reasons that one should cultivate patience.

If beings visit all manner of hatred and torment upon one, then one should remain mindful of their meritorious qualities, thinking, "Now, although this being has committed this one offense, still, aside from this he possesses all sorts of other marvelous meritorious qualities. On account of his possessing these meritorious qualities one should refrain from being hateful. Additionally, if this person curses me or strikes me he is helping to refine me. This is analogous to a goldsmith's refining of gold where the impurities are gotten rid of with fire so that only true gold remains. This is just the same. If I encounter punishments then this derives from the causes and conditions of earlier lifetimes. I should now go about paying off this debt and so should not be hateful. I should exercise patience in this matter."

All of you bhikshus,
Don't give rise to disputation.
When evil thoughts continue,
The suffering in retribution is extremely severe.

You are seeking to gain nirvana.
Cast off and relinquish worldly benefits.
Abiding in the Dharma of goodness,
Why are you hateful and full of disputation?

When men of the world are angry and have disputes,
This is something for which one may still have empathy.
But with men who have left the home life,
How can it be that they engage in disputatious fighting?

When in the mind of one who has left the home life,
One cherishes venom, this harms one's self.
It is like from the midst of a cool cloud
Having lightning come forth which burns the body.
The Bhikshus addressed the Buddha, saying, "The Buddha is the king of Dharma. But pray, may he remain silent for a moment. This group assailed us. We cannot but respond."

The Buddha thought, "These men cannot be crossed over." From the midst of the group of those sanghans, he soared aloft and disappeared. He went into the forest where he remained still in samadhi.

In just this manner the offense of hatred is such that, at its extreme one does not accept even the words of the Buddha. For this reason one should get rid of hatred and cultivate patience.

Moreover, when one is able to cultivate patience, it is easy to gain loving-kindness and compassion. If one has gained loving-kindness and compassion, one succeeds in reaching the Buddha Way.

Question: The dharma of patience is entirely fine, but there is one situation where it is unacceptable. This is where a petty person is slighting and arrogant and holds the opinion that one is afraid. For this reason, one should not be patient under every circumstance.

Response: If one is the victim of slighting and arrogance on the part of a petty person who thinks that one is afraid of him and so one desires to not be patient, that offense of not being patient is an even more serious situation. Why? A person who is not patient is looked upon lightly and is seen as base by the worthies, by the aaryas and by good people. The person who is patient is looked on with arrogance by petty people.

Of the two cases of being looked upon lightly, one ought rather to be the victim of arrogance on the part of those who have no intelligence and so not be subjected to being seen as base by the worthies and aaryas. Why? People who have no intelligence fail to treat lightly those situations which should be treated lightly. People who are worthies and aaryas treat as base that which ought to be treated as base. For this reason one should cultivate patience.

Moreover, although a person who is patient may not practice giving or dhyana absorption, still he constantly earns subtle and marvelous merit whereby he is reborn among gods and men and later gains the Buddha Way. Why? It is because his mind is pliant.

Then again, the bodhisattva considers, "If people torment me in the present life, bring ruin and shame upon me, forcefully seize that which would benefit me, slight me, scold me and put me in bondage, I should nonetheless still maintain patience. If I fail to be patient I am bound to fall into the hells and undergo incalculable suffering on the iron-walled hot ground, enduring roasting and broiling such as one cannot completely describe."

For this reason one knows that although one may be slighted by petty people devoid of intelligence, one may still be noble. If one is not patient and so resorts to using his power, although he might gain some satisfaction, still he is base. Therefore the bodhisattva ought to be patient.

Additionally, the bodhisattva considers, "When I first brought forth the resolve [to gain bodhi] I vowed to cure the mental diseases of beings. Now this being has fallen ill with the fetter of hatred. I should cure him. How could I voluntarily make myself sick on that account? I should be patient."

This is analogous to the master of medicines who cures the manifold diseases. If he encounters someone who is afflicted by the disease of being driven crazy by a ghost such that he pulls a knife and curses and reviles and has no recognition of good or bad, the physician knows that it is a disease of ghostly possession. He simply proceeds with curing it and so does not become angry.

If the bodhisattva is hated, tormented, cursed and reviled by beings, he knows that they have fallen ill with the affliction of hatred and that these actions are caused by a crazed mind. He employs skillful means to cure them, and in just the same manner, he finds no cause for blame or condemnation.

Furthermore, the bodhisattva engages in the raising and nurturing of everyone, loving them as if they were his own children. If beings are hateful and tormenting towards the bodhisattva, the bodhisattva has pity on them , does not hate them and does not condemn them.

This is analogous to a father who acts out of loving-kindness and so raises to maturity his sons and grandsons. Because his sons and grandson are young and immature, they don't yet understand anything. There may be times when they curse and strike out, being both disrespectful and careless of consequences. The child's father feels sympathy for his stupidity and immaturity and so loves him and brings forth a remedy. Although there is a transgression, he does not hate him and does not become angry. The bodhisattva's patience is just like this.

Then again, the bodhisattva considers, "If beings heap hatred and torment upon me I should be patient. If I fail to be patient then my thoughts will be full of regret in this life and in the future I will enter the hells where I will experience suffering which is incalculable. If I come to abide among animals I will become a venomous dragon or an evil snake or a lion or a tiger or a wolf. If I become a hungry ghost then I will have fire which comes forth from my mouth. This is similar to the situation when a person is burned by fire. At the time when one is burned the pain is mild. It is only afterwards that the pain becomes severe.

Additionally, the bodhisattva considers, "I am a bodhisattva. I desire to be of benefit to beings. If I am unable to be patient then I am not a bodhisattva. I am an evil person."

Further, the bodhisattva considers, "There are two kinds of phenomena inn the world. The first are those which are beings. The second are those which are not beings. When I first brought forth the resolve, I made vows for the sake of beings. If I am assailed and harmed by things which are not beings such as mountain rocks, forest trees, wind, cold, heat, floods or rain, I simply seek a way to control the situation and from the very beginning do not become angry. Now these beings are those on whose behalf I act. When they heap evil upon me I should endure it. How could I take it as a reason to become hateful?"

Moreover, the bodhisattva knows that from long ago on up to the present, it has always been the case that causes and conditions come together and are falsely referred to as a "person" when in fact there is no actual dharma of a person. Who then is it that could be hated? There exists herein only bones and blood and skin and flesh. This is analogous to something laid up with bricks or a wooden puppet with mechanical movements that has comings and goings. When one understands that the situation is of just this sort, one should not cherish any hatred. If I become hateful then this is just stupidity and constitutes a voluntary acceptance of the suffering of the consequential punishments. For this reason one should cultivate patience.

Additionally, the bodhisattva considers, "Throughout the past, during their original practice of the bodhisattva way, an incalculable number of Ganges sands' of buddhas all first practiced patience with respect to beings and then later cultivated patience with respect to dharmas. I am now seeking to study the way of the Buddhas. I should accord with the Dharma of the Buddhas. I should not give rise to hatefulness in the manner of the dharma of the demon realms. For this reason I should be patient."

For all sorts of incalculably numerous reasons such as these one is able to be patient. This is what is meant by patience with respect to beings.

End of Fascicle Number Fourteen

Part One End Notes

1. This note is part of the Taisho text.

2. The "three dharmic imprints" refers to emptiness, signlessness and wishlessness (rendered in Kumarajiva's translations as "endeavorlessness" in the sense of "having no endeavor whatsoever towards which one is inclined). They are discussed later in this work.

3. A daanapati is a layperson who provides support to the monastic community.

4. A vihaara is a monastic dwelling.

5. "Floral Appearance" (Utpalavar.naa) was a bhikshuni who had gained arhatship.

6. An ara.nya is a secluded hermitage.

7. This text was written by a monk primarily to reinforce the cultivation of other monks and was written at a time when only men could read, hence passages such as this would originally never have been inflicted upon a female audience. This is definitely not Nagarjuna's ultimate pronouncement on womanhood. Rather it is a "counteractive" teaching directed specifically at countering the cultivation-defeating attachment which men often cherish towards women. Given the aim of the teaching, it takes as didactic examples only the least edifying behaviors of the least virtuous women and makes generalizations based on them. In the case of a female monastic audience, Nagarjuna would have marshaled an equally powerful antidotal list of the least edifying male behaviors of the least virtuous of men and would have made generalizations based on them.

For women who wish to subject themselves to a reading of this section, it is suggested that they mentally envision and contemplate a corresponding male-focused iteration so as to derive the same attachment-defeating benefit. It should be noted that neither formulation represents Nagarjuna's understanding of ultimate truth. Other sections of this text show clearly that Nagarjuna does not even admit the ultimate reality of gender, let alone either positive or negative attributes of either gender.

8. This refers to a Jaataka tale related earlier in which the Buddha predicts the far, far distant future buddhahood of a pigeon.

The Treatise on the Great Perfection of Wisdom

The Explanation of "The Patience With Respect to Dharmas" contained in the First Chapter's K.saanti Paaramitaa

Section Twenty-Five

Fascicle Number Fifteen

What is meant by "patience with respect to dharmas"? Patience with respect to beings refers to having patience with respect to all beings who display reverence or who make offerings and refers as well to having patience with respect to all persons who are under the influence of hatred or sexual desire. Patience with respect to dharmas refers to having patience with respect to their dharmas of making reverence or presenting offerings as well as having patience with respect to their dharmas of hatred and sexual desire.

Then again, patience with respect to dharmas involves being unattached internally with respect to the subject-related six faculties while externally one does not take on the six sense objects. One is able to refrain from making any distinctions with respect to these two categories.

How is this? Internal characteristics are like those which are external. External characteristics are like those which are internal. This is because neither of the two categories of characteristics can be gotten at, because they possess a singular characteristic, because they are merely the conjunction of causes and conditions, because in reality they are empty, because all dharmas are characterized by being eternally pure, because they are characterized by being identical with the Dharma nature of ultimate reality, and because they are subsumed within the non-dual. Although they are not two, they are not one either. When one contemplates all dharmas in this manner and yet one's thoughts of faith remain undeflected, this is what is referred to as patience with respect to dharmas.

This is as set forth in the Vimalakiirti Sutra where Dharma Dwelling Bodhisattva said, "Production and extinction are dual whereas that which is neither produced nor destroyed constitutes the non-dual entryway for entering the Dharma."

And so it continued until Manjushri said, "Being without hearing, being without seeing, having all thought extinguished, being without discourse, being without words, -- this is the non-dual entryway for entering the Dharma."

Then Vimalakirti remained silent and said nothing. All of the bodhisattvas exclaimed in praise, "Good Indeed! Good Indeed! This is the true non-dual entryway for entering the Dharma."

Then again, "all dharmas" consists of two categories: The first is beings. The second is dharmas. The bodhisattva maintains patience in the midst of beings as explained above. Now we shall explain patience in the midst of dharmas.

Dharmas are of two types: mental dharmas and non-mental dharmas. Among the non-mental dharmas there are those which are internal and those which are external. Externally, there are cold, heat, wind, rain and so forth. Internally, there are hunger, thirst, aging, sickness, death and so forth. All sorts of other [examples] such as these are referred to as non-mental dharmas.

Mental dharmas are of two types: The first includes hatred, worry, doubt, and so forth. The second includes sexual desire, arrogance, and so forth. These two constitute mental dharmas. When in relation to these two [types of] dharmas the bodhisattva is able to maintain patience and remain unmoved this constitutes having patience with respect to dharmas.

Question: If among beings one is hateful and tormenting and inflicts injury on their lives, one commits an offense and if one acts out of sympathy for them, one gains blessings. But in relation to cold, heat, wind and rain there is neither karmic increase or decrease. Why is it then that one should be patient with respect to them?

Response: Although there is neither a [karmic] increase or decrease, still, if one brings forth disruptive afflictions and distressful bitterness one does injury to [one's practice of] the bodhisattva way. For this reason one should maintain patience. Additionally, it is not the case that one commits offenses solely through the killing and tormenting of beings. Wherever one creates causes and conditions in reliance upon evil thoughts one has offenses as a consequence. Why is this? Although one may kill beings, if it was done with a neutral mind, this then is devoid of any offense.(9) If one maintains a mindfulness of beings characterized by loving-kindness, although there may be nothing which one is giving to them, one gains a great measure of blessings. For this reason, although there is neither [karmic] increase nor decrease occurring in relation to cold, heat, wind or rain, still, because one is able to bring forth evil thoughts [in reaction to them], one does commit offenses. For this reason one should maintain patience in relation to them.

Moreover, the bodhisattva naturally knows, "It is on account of the causes and conditions associated with offenses in previous lives that one is reborn in this place fraught with suffering. This is something I created myself. I ought to undergo it myself." Because one contemplates in this fashion one is able to maintain patience.

Additionally, the bodhisattva considers and realizes that there are two kinds of countries: There are those which are pure and there are those which are impure. If the bodhisattva is born into an impure country and experiences these bitter sufferings, hunger, cold and the manifold torments, he makes a pure vow to himself: "When I achieve buddhahood, the country will have none of these manifold sufferings. Although this place is impure, it will work to my benefit."

Furthermore, the bodhisattva considers, "Not even the worthies and aaryas are able to avoid the eight worldly dharmas.(10) How much the less would this be the case for me." For this reason, one should maintain patience.

Moreover, the bodhisattva considers and realizes that this human body is devoid of durability or strength. It is pursued by aging, sickness and death. Although the bodies of the gods are pure and show no aging and have no illness, they become indulgently attached to the pleasures of the heavens. They are comparable to people who have become intoxicated. They are unable to cultivate blessings associated with the Way and are unable to leave the home life and transcend desire. For this reason one constrains oneself in this human body to maintain patience, cultivate blessings and benefit beings.

Then again, the bodhisattva considers, "I have taken on this body composed of the four great elements and the five aggregates. It ought to be the case that it has all manner of suffering aspects. There is no one who takes on a body and yet does not suffer."

Whether one is rich and of noble birth, poor and of humble status, whether one has left the home life or whether one is a householder, whether one is foolish or wise, or whether one is intelligent or dull, there is no one who is able to avoid it. How is this? Those persons who are rich and of noble birth are constantly subject to fearfulness and the compulsion to protect their material wealth. They are analogous to the fat sheep which is taken early to the butcher's chopping block. They are like the crow which holds a piece of meat in its beak and is pursued by a flock of other crows.

Those persons who are poor and of humble status are subject to the sufferings of hunger and cold. Although persons who have left the home life are subject to sufferings in the present existence, in future lives they receive blessings and gain the Way. Although householders may experience pleasures in the present life, they undergo sufferings in future lives. Foolish people take as primary the seeking after pleasures in the present life. When death (lit. "impermanence") arrives before them they are bound to undergo subsequent suffering. The wise person considers the sufferings inherent in impermanence and so subsequently experiences bliss and gains the Way. In ways such as these [one sees that] there is no one who takes on a body who is not subject to suffering. Therefore the bodhisattva should practice patience.

Furthermore, the bodhisattva considers, "The entire world is subject to suffering. How could I abide within it and still seek to enjoy happiness?"

Again, the bodhisattva considers, "I have constantly endured manifold sufferings throughout an incalculable number of kalpas and have derived no benefit from it. It has never been for the sake of the Dharma. Today, for the sake of beings, I seek the Buddha Way. Although I undergo this suffering, in the future I will gain great benefit. Therefore, whether it is external or internal, I should patiently undergo all forms of suffering."

Additionally, the bodhisattva makes vows with the great mind, "I will patiently undergo even the sufferings of the aviici niraya (hells). How much the less might it be that I would have no patience with minor sufferings? If I am not patient with that which is minor, how will I be able to be patient with that which is major?"

When one is patient with respect to all sorts of external dharmas such as these this is referred to as patience with respect to dharmas.

Question: How is one able to be patient with respect to the dharmas in one's mind?

Response: The bodhisattva considers, "Although I have not yet gained the Way and have not yet cut off the fetters, if I do not maintain patience then I am no different from a common person and it is not the case that I am a bodhisattva." He additionally considers to himself, "If I gain the Way and cut off all of the fetters then there will be no dharmas remaining with which one must be able to be patient. Additionally, hunger, thirst, cold and heat are the outer demon armies. The afflictions of the fetters are the internal demon insurgents. I should break these two armies and thereby perfect the Buddha Way. If it is not done in this way, then the Buddha Way will not be perfected."

This is as told of the Buddha when he was cultivating ascetic practices for a period of six years. The demon king came and said, "Noble man of kâatriyan lineage. Of a thousand parts of your life, you have only a single part left to live. Hurry, get up and return to your country, perform acts of giving and cultivate blessings. You will be able to gain the way of bliss among men and in the heavens in the present life and in later lives. It is unacceptable that you uselessly subject yourself to intense suffering. If you don't yield to these gentle words, but instead continue this confusion and fail to get up I will lead forth a great mass of troops which will come and strike and break you."

The Bodhisattva said, "I am now going to break [even] your extremely powerful internal army, how much the more so your external army."

The demon said, "What is it that makes up my internal army?"

He replied:

Desire is the first among your armies,
Worry is the second.
Hunger and thirst are the third army.
Craving is the fourth.

Drowsiness is the fifth of the armies.
Fearfulness is number six.
Doubt and regret are the seventh army.
Hatred and anger are the eighth.

Beneficial support and an empty reputation are the ninth.
Elevating oneself and belittling others is the tenth.
Such a company of armies as these
Vanquish those people who have left the home life.

I employ the power of dhyaana and wisdom
To break these armies of yours and,
After perfecting the Buddha Way,
Deliver everyone to liberation.
Although the bodhisattva is not yet able to break all of these armies, he dons the armor of patience, takes up the sword of wisdom, holds onto the shield of dhyaana absorption and deflects the arrows of the afflictions. This is what is meant by internal patience.

Then again the bodhisattva ought to cultivate patience with respect to the afflictions but ought not to cut off the fetters. Why? If he cuts off the fetters, that which he loses is much indeed. He falls into the way of the arhat which is no different from ruining his roots [in the bodhisattva path]. Therefore he deflects them but does not cut them off. Because he cultivates patience he does not follow along with the fetters.

Question: How is it that when the fetters are not yet cut off one is able to refrain from following along with them?

Response: It is on account of right thought that, although one possesses afflictions, one is still able to refrain from following along with them.

Additionally, because one considers and contemplates the marks of emptiness and impermanence, although one may possess marvelous and fine objects of the five desires, one still does not give rise to the fetters [in response to them].

This is similar to the case of the king who had a great official who had hidden an offense which he had committed so that others would not know of it. The King told him, "Bring me a plump sheep which has no fat. If you are unable to find one you will be subjected to punishment." That great official was possessed of wisdom. He tied up a big sheep and fed it well with grass and grain. Three times each day he frightened it with a wolf. Although the sheep was able to grow plump, still it had no fat. He led the sheep before the King. The King ordered someone to kill it and found that it was plump but had no fat. The King asked, "How were you able to bring this about?" He replied by describing the above matter. The bodhisattva is just like this. He sees the wolf of impermanence, suffering and emptiness. This causes the fat of the fetters to melt away while the flesh of merit grows plump.

Then again because the bodhisattva's merit and blessings received as [karmic] reward are incalculable, his mind is pliant, the fetters are scant and it is easy for him to cultivate patience.

This situation [of allowing the fetters to remain] is also analogous to the Lion King who roars in the forest. When a person encounters it, if he bows down before it and prays for mercy then it may let him go. But the tiger, leopard, and lesser beasts would be unable to act in such a fashion. Why? Because the Lion King is a noble animal which possesses intelligence and discrimination. The tiger and leopard are base beasts which do not know to make such distinctions.

This situation is also like that of a defeated army which, if it succeeds in encountering a great general is then allowed to live. If it encounters lesser soldiers, then it is bound to die.

Moreover, the bodhisattva employs his power of wisdom to contemplate and realize that hatred is possessed of all sorts of evils. He contemplates patience as possessing all sorts of meritorious qualities. Therefore he is able to maintain patience with the fetters.

Furthermore, the mind of the bodhisattva is possessed of the power of wisdom whereby he is able to cut off the fetters. For the sake of beings he abides for a long time in the world, knowing that the fetters are thieves. Therefore he maintains patience in regard to them and does not follow along with them. The bodhisattva ties up the thieves of the fetters and so does not allow them to run rampant, but rather employs them in the cultivation of merit. This is analogous to situations wherein there are thieves which, for a particular reason, one does not put to death. One confines them securely in a single place and then has them carry out work assignments.

Then again, because the bodhisattva possesses an actual awareness of the marks of all dharmas, he does not take the fetters to be inherently evil and does not take meritorious qualities to be inherently marvelous. Therefore he nurtures no hatred for the fetters nor does he cherish any affection for meritorious qualities. On account of the power of this wisdom he is able to cultivate patience. This is as described in a verse:

The bodhisattva cuts off and gets rid of all which is not good.
Even down to the most extremely subtle, he destroys it, leaving no residue.
The blessings from his greatly meritorious qualities are incalculable.
In the work that he carries out there is nothing not brought to completion.

On account of the power of the bodhisattva's great wisdom,
[Even] amidst the fetters he is unable to be tormented.
Therefore he is able to be aware of the mark of all dharmas
Birth, death and nirvana are a unity in which there is no duality.

For all sorts of reasons such as these, although one has not yet gained the Way, one is still able to maintain patience in the midst of the dharmas of afflictions. This is known as patience with respect to dharmas.

Additionally, with respect to all dharmas, the bodhisattva knows them to be characterized by singularity and knows them to be non-dual. Because all dharmas are characterized by being able to be the object of consciousness they are said to be singular. Where the eye consciousness is conscious of forms and so forth until we come to the mind consciousness is conscious of dharmas, these are dharmas which are characterized by being able to be the object of consciousness. Therefore they are said to be singular.

Then again, because all dharmas are characterized by being able to be known they are said to be singular.

The dharma knowledge of suffering (du.hkhe dharmajnaana)+and+the+consecutive+knowledge+of+suffering+(du.hkhe+'nvayajnaana) know the truth of suffering. The dharma knowledge of accumulation (samudaye dharmajnaana)+and+the+consecutive+knowledge+of+suffering+(samudaye+'nvayajnaana) know the truth of accumulation. The dharma knowledge of extinction (nirodhe dharmajnaana)+and+the+consecutive+knowledge+of+extinction+(nirodhe+'nvayajnaana) know the truth of extinction. The dharma knowledge of the Way (maarge dharmajnaana)+and+the+consecutive+knowledge+of+the+way+(maarge+'nvayajnaana) know the truth of the Way.(11)

And so too worldly knowledge characterized by goodness may know suffering, accumulation, extinction, the way, space, and extinction not due to knowledge. On account of this characteristic of knowability dharmas are said to be singular.

Furthermore, on account of the fact that all dharmas are subject to conditioning they are said to be singular. Eye consciousness as well as dharmas interactive with eye consciousness condition form. Ear consciousness, nose consciousness, tongue consciousness and body consciousness are the same in this respect. The mind consciousness as well as dharmas interactive with the mind consciousness also condition the eye and also condition forms and also condition eye consciousness, and so forth until we come to their also conditioning the mind, also conditioning dharmas and also conditioning mind consciousness. Because of the characteristic of being subject to conditioning all dharmas are said to be singular.

Then again there are those who say that all dharmas are each singular. And that when there is another singular entity in addition to this instance of singularity this constitutes a duality. Three singularities constitute a trinity, and so forth like this until we come to a thousand myriads all being but singular entities artificially referred to as a thousand myriads.

Then again, because there exists a characteristic in all dharmas one speaks of them as singular. It is because they are characterized by being singular that they are referred to as singular. All phenomena constitute dharmas. Because dharmas possess a particular characteristic they constitute a singularity. In this same fashion there are an incalculable number of entry points to singularity. When one refutes the characteristic of difference but still does not become attached to singularity, this constitutes patience with respect to dharmas.

If one contemplates unproduced dharmas,
One succeeds in transcending dharmas which are produced.
If one contemplates unconditioned dharmas,
One succeeds in transcending that which is conditioned.
Why is it that rebirth is referred to as the coming together of causes and conditions? It is impermanent. It involves no inherent existence. It belongs to the sphere of causes and conditions. It is characterized by being subject to aging, sickness and death, is characterized by being deceptive and is characterized by being subject to destruction. This is [the character] of rebirth. It is therefore a conditioned dharma. This is as explained in the counteractive siddhaanta.

Being both permanent and impermanent is also not an actual characteristic. This is because both fallacies are inherent therein. If [one claims that] dharmas are neither permanent nor impermanent this is just the dialectics of foolishness. How is this so? If [one claims that something is] not existent then this is [only] a refutational nonexistence. If [one claims that something is] not nonexistent then this is [only] a refutational existence. If one has refuted both of these matters, then what dharmas remain to be discussed?

Question: In the Buddha Dharma's [tenet of everything] being characterized by constantly being empty there is this "neither existent nor nonexistent" [concept]. That emptiness is employed as an emptiness which gets rid of [attachment to] existence. That emptiness [also] blocks off [attachment to] nonexistence. This constitutes [a claim that phenomena are] "neither existent nor nonexistent." Why then do you say that this is just the dialectics of foolishness?

Response: The reality mark of the Buddha's Dharma involves nonacceptance and nonattachment. Because your "neither existence nor nonexistence" is [characterized by] acceptance and attachment, this is [just] the dialectics of foolishness. If one makes a claim [in favor of] neither existence nor nonexistence, this [posits a view of something] which can be described and can be refuted. It is a point for the generation of thoughts and a point for [the carrying on of] disputation. The Dharma of the Buddha is not of this sort. Although it is the case that, on account of [certain] causes and conditions one sets forth "neither existence nor nonexistence," one does not become attached [thereto]. If one does not become attached [to it] then it is not subject to destruction and is not subject to refutation. [No matter] whether [one speaks of the world and the self] as being bounded or as being boundless, or as being both bounded and boundless, or as being neither bounded nor boundless, [no matter] whether [one speaks of there being a ] continuing on after death, as there not being a continuing on after death, as there both being and not being a continuing on after death, or as there being neither a continuing on nor a not continuing on after death, and [no matter] whether [one speaks of] the body as identical with a spiritual soul or as different from a "spiritual" soul, they are all just like this. None of them correspond to reality. When one contemplates the dharmas of the sixty-two views [and recognizes that] none of them correspond to reality and so does away with all of them in this manner while still having faith in the Buddha Dharma's characteristics of being pure and indestructible such that one's mind is not regretful and is not turned away, this constitutes patience with respect to dharmas.

Then again, as for the two extremes of existence and nonexistence, if one's contemplations are focused on the time when dharmas arise and the time when they dwell, these constitute the characteristics of a view which holds to existence. If one's contemplations are focused on the time when dharmas grow old or the time when they undergo destruction, then these constitute the characteristics of a view which holds to nonexistence. The beings of the Three Realms mostly cling to the characteristics of these two views. These two kinds of dharmas are false and deceptive and do not correspond to reality. If in reality a characteristic existed then it should not be the case that it becomes nonexistent. Why? If something is now nonexistent that previously was existent, this falls into the annihilationist [view]. If [one posits] annihilationism, this is not the case.

Moreover, it is on account of the coming together of names that one is of the opinion that all dharmas exist. It is on account of this that dharmas which are a product of the coming together of names cannot finally be gotten at.

Question: Although dharmas which are the product of names cannot be gotten at, still, one does have this coming together of names.

Response: If there is no dharma, who is it that brings these names together? In such a case names themselves are nonexistent as well.

Again, if dharmas actually existed, it should not be the case that one knows of their existence [solely] through the mind's consciousness. If it is on account of the mind's consciousness that one knows that they exist, this is not a case of [actual] existence. Take for example the earth's characteristic of solidity. It is on account of the body's faculty [of touch] and the knowing on the part of the body's [tactile] consciousness that it exists. If there were no bodily faculty [of touch] and no knowing on the part of the body's [tactile] consciousness, then there would be no characteristic of solidity.

Question: Whether or not there is a knowing or there is not a knowing on the part of the body's faculty [of touch] and the body's [tactile] consciousness, still, earth is constantly characterized by solidity.

Response: Is it because you are already aware of it that you believe it possesses the characteristic of solidity or is it that, having heard it from someone else, you know that it possesses the characteristic of solidity? If one did not previously know or had not previously heard, then there would be no characteristic of solidity.

Moreover, if it were the case that earth was eternally characterized by solidity, it should not be the case that it could relinquish its characteristic. Take for example congealed curds, wax, honey or the pitch from trees. When they melt they lose their characteristic of solidity and so fall within the characteristic of liquidity. Gold, silver, copper, iron, and so forth are also like this. As another example, take water which is characterized by liquidity. If it becomes cold it then transforms so that it then becomes characterized by solidity. There are all sorts of other examples such as these wherein in every case the characteristic features are relinquished.

Additionally, dialecticians are able to cause that which exists to become nonexistent and are able to cause that which is nonexistent to become existent. The Worthies, the Aaryas and those who sit in dhyana meditation are able to cause earth to become water and water to become earth. All other sorts of dharmas such as these can be transformed. This is as discussed in the Ten Universal Bases (k.rtsnaayatana).

Furthermore, this view which holds to existence is produced on account of greed, hatred, stupidity, the fetters and disputation. If there is a position which generates this greed, hatred and so forth, this is not the Dharma of the Buddha. Why is this this the case? This is because the characteristics of the Dharma of the Buddha are goodness and purity. For these reasons [such a position] does not correspond to reality.

Also, all dharmas are subsumed within two categories: form dharmas and formless dharmas. Form dharmas may be analyzed down to the most subtle particles and so may be so destroyed through dispersion that nothing remains. This is just as was explained in the section on Daana Paaramitaa wherein we discussed the refutation of [the existence of] an object which is given.

The nature of dharmas is that they are eternally empty,
And yet the mind still does not become attached to emptiness.
If one is able to have patience with respect to dharmas such as this,
This is the sign of the beginning of the Buddha Way.
Through all sorts of other [concepts] such as these one enters the gateway to wisdom. When one is able to contemplate the reality mark of dharmas while one's mind does not retreat, does not regret, does not follow off on any of the contemplations and still does not have anything about which it is distressed, and if one is also able to succeed in benefitting oneself and benefitting others, this is what is referred to as patience with respect to dharmas.

This patience with respect to dharmas has three ways in which its practice is pure: One does not perceive any dharma of patience. One does not perceive one's own person. One does not perceive a person who is scolding and subjecting one to insult. One does not involve oneself as an actor in any of the dharmas. At this time this constitutes purity in the patience with respect to dharmas. It is because of this factor that it is said that the bodhisattva who abides in the Praaj~naa-paaramitaa is able to completely perfect k.saanti-paaramitaa. This is because he does not move and does not retreat.

What is meant by "does not move and does not retreat"? Hatefulness does not arise nor does one utter any evil words. One's body does not inflict any harm and one's mind is devoid of regrets. The bodhisattva realizes the reality mark of the Praj if a person comes and curses or [even] if he attacks him with extremely toxic poison and so kills or injures, he is able to have patience with it all. It is for this reason that it is said that one abides in the Prajnaa-paaramitaa and is able to completely perfect k.saanti-paaramitaa.

Part Two End Notes

9. This should not be misinterpreted as meaning that it's alright to kill as long as you can do it with a neutral mind. NÀgÀrjuna is pointing to the fact that karmic offense correlates directly with intentionality.

10. The eight worldly dharmas also known as the eight winds (which move the mind) are: benefit and decrease [shwai], blame and praise, ill repute and good repute, suffering and happiness.

11. Ku-fa-jr: dfb-1566b, 1134a4 / ba-jr: dfb-141a, 2197c / lei-jr (bi-jr?): dfb-2867a, 2198a2.

12. Pruden, 58-61.

13. See the extensive related discussion in Fascicle 1.

Copyright © 2000. Bhikshu Dharmamitra. All rights reserved.