How to Realize the Self-Nature Tathagatagarbha (Part 1)

To realize the Tathāgatagarbha inherent in our nature, illuminate the mind and perceive the true nature, and become true bodhisattvas, we must cultivate the dharmas that bodhisattvas cultivate. What dharmas do bodhisattvas cultivate? Bodhisattvas cultivate the Six Pāramitās and the Four Means of Embracing Sentient Beings. The Six Pāramitās are: the Pāramitā of Giving (Dāna), the Pāramitā of Precepts (Śīla), the Pāramitā of Forbearance (Kṣānti), the Pāramitā of Diligence (Vīrya), the Pāramitā of Meditation (Dhyāna), and the Pāramitā of Wisdom (Prajñā). The Four Means of Embracing Sentient Beings are giving, loving speech, beneficial actions, and cooperative practice. As bodhisattvas, we must first cultivate the Pāramitā of Giving. On one hand, giving allows us to form wholesome affinities with sentient beings, enabling them to trust and accept us, follow us in learning and practicing the Buddha Dharma, and become disciples whom we guide. Only then can we lead those with whom we have affinities to continuously advance on the bodhisattva path. When we attain Buddhahood in the future, these sentient beings will diligently support the Buddha Dharma within the Buddha land. Therefore, giving is crucial. On the other hand, giving rapidly accumulates merit and virtue. With sufficient merit and virtue, we can ensure the continuous advancement of our path, ultimately illuminating the mind, perceiving the true nature, and entering the Buddha Dharma.

The second of the Six Pāramitās is upholding the precepts. By upholding the precepts, the mind becomes pure. If one upholds the precepts without transgression, one avoids the karmic retribution of unwholesome actions and is free from the hindrances and obstacles to the advancement of the path caused by unwholesome karma, thus escaping the suffering of birth and death. Because a pure mind arises from upholding the precepts, meditation can manifest. With meditation, one can engage in contemplative practice, participate in meditation, and ultimately illuminate the mind to realize the Tathāgatagarbha. Therefore, upholding the precepts is also essential. If a bodhisattva cannot yet uphold the precepts, it indicates that their afflictions are still heavy, and they are far from meeting the standards of a true bodhisattva. To become a true bodhisattva, one must uphold the precepts. Initially, one strictly disciplines oneself to observe the precepts. Later, one upholds and observes the precepts automatically and consciously. Finally, one reaches a state where there are no precepts to uphold, because the mind has become pure, devoid of any intention to transgress. All actions and deeds align with the pure mind of inherent nature. At this stage, one no longer needs to consciously uphold the precepts; at all times and in all places, the actions of body, speech, and mind conform to the precepts, do not transgress, and accord with the Buddha Dharma. This is the state of upholding precepts without the need to uphold them.

The third of the Six Pāramitās is the Pāramitā of Forbearance. Cultivating forbearance also purifies the mind, thereby subduing one's own afflictions, forming wholesome affinities with sentient beings, and resolving unwholesome affinities. Although sentient beings may subject us to many humiliating situations, if we can endure and subdue our reactions, not retaliating against them nor harboring resentment toward them, we resolve enmity with sentient beings, and our own afflictions can be subdued, aligning with the true mind nature of a bodhisattva. Another aspect of forbearance is enduring the Dharma that one has never heard before, enduring the profound Dharma, and enduring the Dharma that one has not yet realized. Only then can wisdom be enhanced, the path continuously progress, and the profound Dharma be realized swiftly.

The fourth of the Six Pāramitās is the Pāramitā of Diligence. As bodhisattvas, we must diligently cultivate the Buddha Dharma without laziness and be diligent in all aspects. Be diligent in the perfection of giving, diligent in cultivating merit and forming wholesome affinities with sentient beings, diligent in upholding the precepts, diligent in forbearance, diligent in cultivating meditation, and diligent in cultivating one's own prajñā wisdom. By being diligent at all times and in all places, wholesome dharmas will rapidly increase. This is the cultivation of the fourth pāramitā of diligence for bodhisattvas.