Ten Grounds/Stages of the Path of the Bodhisattva

Ground of Happiness

The Bodhisattva at the very beginning of the Ten Grounds is like an infant who has just left the sagely womb and been born into the lineage of the Tathagatas. He perfects the conduct of benefitting self and benefitting others, and is certified as to his sagely location. Hence he gives rise to great happiness.

Ground of Leaving Filth

The Bodhisattva becomes replete with pure precepts and renounces all actions that are contrary to morality and comportment. Hence on this ground he leaves the filth of afflictions behind.

Ground of Emitting Light

From supreme samadhi, the wondrous teaching, and four types of dharani, the Bodhisattva gives rise to the Three Wisdoms: the wisdom of hearing, the wisdom of consideration, and the wisdom of cultivation. From the attainment of those kinds of wisdom, he emits a sublime light.

Ground of Blazing Wisdom

On this ground the Bodhisattva achieves a dazzling wisdom light that consumes the tinder of all afflictions. Whereas the former three grounds are still located in the world, this ground marks the beginning of a world-transcending position.

Ground of Difficult Conquest

Upon this ground the Bodhisattva testifies to the interaction between wisdom of relative truth and the non-discriminating wisdom of absolute truth. Through the mutual and non-obstructive functioning of those two kinds of wisdom, he accomplishes clever expedient means, such as the Five Sciences, to teach living beings. On this level he transcends the world and yet completely accords with the world. Since this is a position that is difficult to surpass, it is called Difficult Conquest.

Ground of Manifestation

The Bodhisattva gives rise to great prajna wisdom through contemplation of the Twelve Links of Causal Co-production (see Twelvefold Conditioned Arising) and is no longer caught up in the discrimination of purity and defilement. Thus there is the manifestation of sublime conduct." (EDR V 279-280)

Ground of Travelling Far.

This ground is characterized by cultivation that is without an appearance and without effort. Since effortless functioning is accomplished, the Bodhisattva far transcends all the conducts of the Two Vehicles. Hence the name 'Travelling Far.'

Ground of Not Moving

As a reward of the Bodhisattva conduct, the Bodhisattva has now reached the state which is without marks and without interval; hence the name 'Not Moving.' On this ground the Bodhisattva casts off the activities of production within the Three Realms--the realms of desire, form, and formlessness. He also attains the Patience with Non-Production. Through the wisdom of the contemplation of marklessness, he is 'not moved' by all afflictions.

Ground of Wholesome Wisdom

The Bodhisattva attains the Four Unobstructed Eloquences and perfects the merit of being a great Dharma Master. He is able to speak Dharma that perfectly suits the potentials of all living beings. Hence on this ground he achieves "wholesome wisdom.'

Ground of the Dharma Cloud

By this stage the Bodhisattva attains a vast Dharma body. He is full and accomplished, like a huge Dharma cloud that protects all under heaven, and which sends down Dharma rain to nourish all beings. In this way the Bodhisattva benefits sentient creatures in boundlessly inconceivable ways." (EDR VI 280)