Chapter Two: The True Meaning of the Bodhisattva of Self-Mastery

Scripture: [The Bodhisattva of Self-Mastery]

The first line of the Heart Sutra is “The Bodhisattva of Self-Mastery”. What is the Bodhisattva of Self-Mastery? Some say it is an alternative name for the Bodhisattva Who Observes the Sounds of the World (Guanyin). The revered title “Bodhisattva Who Observes the Sounds of the World” stems from the perspective of great compassion, signifying that this bodhisattva specifically observes the cries of sentient beings in the world to seek out and relieve suffering, enabling beings to leave suffering behind and attain joy. From the standpoint of the Four Immeasurable Minds — loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity — the bodhisattva is revered as the Bodhisattva Who Observes the Sounds of the World. However, the “Bodhisattva of Self-Mastery” in the Heart Sutra does not exclusively refer to the compassionate nature of the Bodhisattva Who Observes the Sounds of the World in seeking to relieve suffering.

What is a bodhisattva? In Buddhism, bodhisattvas can be understood from a certain perspective as two types:

One refers to the undying and unarising essence of the Tathāgatagarbha (Buddha-nature), which is called a bodhisattva because it ceaselessly and meticulously attends to the aggregate bodies of sentient beings, never knowing weariness nor resting for even an instant.

The other refers to bodhisattvas with perishable aggregate bodies. Such bodhisattvas, relying on the fundamental Tathāgatagarbha, cultivate alongside sentient beings within the three realms and six destinies. Utilizing the wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings and skillful means, they liberate countless sentient beings while simultaneously accomplishing the path to Buddhahood.

In summary: “The Bodhisattva of Self-Mastery” refers to a bodhisattva who, after realizing the mind, can directly perceive the intrinsically free and self-existing nature of the eighth consciousness, the Tathāgatagarbha. This will now be explained in detail.