Buddhism is the teaching of Buddha on enlightenment. Buddhism believes that all men are capable of discovering the absolute truth. Thus Buddhism is not simply a philosophy of life, but a religion of enlightenment and practice through which we practice...
Buddhism is the teaching of Buddha on enlightenment. Buddhism believes that all men are capable of discovering the absolute truth. Thus Buddhism is not simply a philosophy of life, but a religion of enlightenment and practice through which we practice the teachings of Buddha to become one with my neighbors and coexist in harmony.
The practice and self discipline pursued by Buddhism is not for one's own good, but for the good of others, aimed at the welfare of 'you' and 'us'. This is definitely of some value to the modern society suffering from the ills of reckless development, the tendencies of belittling the values of life, and the competition for survival.
In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is spoken of as the ideal ascetic for the practice for the good of others. As such, this manuscript is a study of the practices aimed at becoming the guide for all beings, the dependable being always striving for the salvation of beings, with the main focus on the ideal of the ten articles(十地思想) out of the various contents of the 「Avatamska Sutra」.
Before beginning to analyze the generals and specifics of the [Avatamska Sutra], this article studies the basis of the ideal of the ten articles by studying the ideal of the ten articles before the [Avatamska Sutra] through the Bonsaengsipji, Banyasipji, Bonupsipji, and ten articles of the Avatamska Sutra. Then I attempt to organize my ideas on the ideal of the ten articles of the [Avatamska Sutra] through the ten articles and Bodhisattva of the [Avatamska Sutra].
In terms of the methodology applied to this article, I referred to the Korean interpretation of the 『80 Avatamska Sutra』 as translated by Siksānanda and then referred to the original text. However, I admit that there exist certain limitations with regards to presenting accurate evidential foundations as I often quoted the 『80 Avatamska Sutra』 as translated by Siksānanda rather than comparing the text with the 大正藏. In addition, I referred to dissertations on the ten articles, independent volumes on the [Avatamska Sutra], and other academic publications.
In the history of Indian Buddhism, over the course of the philosophy of Mahayana Buddhism of being developed by yoga ascetics, the ideal of the ten articles went from the ten articles of <Mahavastu>, to the ten articles of the <Daepumbanyagyeong>, to those of the <Bosalbonupgyeong>, and completed as the ten articles of the <Sipjigyeong>, finally being practiced by yoga ascetics as the practice of Bodhisattvas.
In the ideal of the ten articles of the [Avatamska Sutra], the path to practical Bodhisattva-ness is systematically organized and proposed as guidelines for ascetics, from the stage of conception(發心) to achievement(成道). The ten articles identify-in ten steps-the process and contents of the practices of a Mahayana Bodhisattva trying to realize the knowledge of Buddhism for the sake of others and themselves, and these ten articles express the progress of a Bodhisattva, from the stages of conception to achievement.
1. Stage of joy(歡喜地,pramudita) - establishing 10 earnest prayers
2. Stage of departure(離垢地,vimala) - practicing the 10 paths of virtue
3. Stage of radiation(發光地,prabhakari) - the stage of uncertainty・pain・selflesness
4. Stage of wisdom(焰慧地,arcismati) - training in the 37 methods of practice
5. Stage of overcoming difficulty(難勝地,sudurjaya) --practice of the four absolute truths(四諦)
6. Stage of pre-enlightenment(現前地,abhimukhi) - stage of the 12 cycles
7. Stage of the long journey(遠行地,duraagama) - practice of the 10 trainings
8. Stage of stability(不動地,acala) - the acquisition of Musaengbeopbyeon(無生法邊)
9. The stage of goodness and wisdom(善慧地,sadhumati) - acquisition of the four unfaltering truths(四無碍智)
10. The stage of enlightenment(法雲地,dharmamegha) - the dispersement of the true Buddhist teachings(大法雨)
Since a Bodhisattva is said to become a Buddha after passing through these ten stages, the total number of steps is 41(the 「Yeongnakbonupgyeong」 adds the ten steps of faith(十信位) to the ten requirements of a Bodhisattva and splits the stage of Buddha into two stages to make a total of 52steps). The ascetics of the ten articles include all of the doctrines from the teachings of Aham to those of the Mahayana Sutras forming a single path to becoming a Bodhisattva.
All stages of the ten articles require that one practice the ten trainings and the four methods of teaching, which signifies that a Bodhisattva does not only pursue their own enlightenment but guides others to realizing that they are all Buddhas themselves. Such unselfish practices is based on the one teaching(一乘) that one should practice under the awareness that 'they are the son of Buddha(佛子)'. The one teaching is the teaching that 'all people can become a Buddha'.
The ideal of the ten articles show that the practice of Buddhism cannot be truly for the good of others without the recognition that all human beings are fundamentally equal. It therefore matures and enhances the actions and thinking of men infinitely, and deepens and widens the selfish and passive characteristics of human beings.