Basic Knowledge in the Pure Land Teaching
淨土小常識
156. The Meaning of Ordinary Beings (continued 2/6)
In Mahayana Buddhism, the diligent Bodhisattvas, who have started their practice with the aspiration for Buddhahood, go through fifty-two stages on their journey from initially resolving to ultimate enlightenment. These stages include the ten
stages of faith, ten stages of dwelling, ten stages of action, ten stages of dedication, ten stages of grounds, the stage of equality, and the stage of wondrous enlightenment.
The first of these ten stages, called "the First Ground" (初地), is also known as the stage of Joy, the stage of Non-retrogression, and by other names. This refers to a Bodhisattva who enters the First Ground and will not regress to the previous stages (such as the tenth dedication or the tenth faith).
Therefore, those who have reached the First Ground and beyond are called "saints," while those who have not reached the First Ground (i.e., those in the stages of the tenth dedication, tenth action, tenth dwelling, and tenth faith) are collectively referred to as "ordinary beings."
This is because entering the First Ground marks the first attainment of non-leaky wisdom (wisdom free from defilement) and partial realization of the true nature of things, thus becoming a saint. At this stage, the Bodhisattva not only nurtures Buddhahood; but, also universally guides all beings. Thus, they are called the "Ten Saints" or "Ground Bodhisattvas."
(to be continued tomorrow)
156 凡夫的意義 (續 2/6)
以大乘佛教而言，勤苦修行的大乘菩薩，從初發菩提心開始刻苦修行，一直 到達證悟的過程，分為五十二階位。五十二階位是指十信位、十住位、十行 位、十迴向位、十地位、等覺位、妙覺位。其中十地之初稱為初地，又稱歡喜
地、不退轉地、阿惟越致、阿鞞跋致，是指進入此初地階位的菩薩，不會再次 退回到十迴向位或十信位。
所以初地以上者稱為聖者，而未達初地的十迴向、十行、十住、十信位者統稱 為凡夫。
這是因為進入初地，初得無漏智（沒有染污的智慧），證悟一分法性，而成為 聖者，因為長養佛智的同時，也普遍攝化一切眾生的緣故，所以叫作十聖或 地上菩薩。
Namo Amituofo!
