Discovering Bodhi Amidst Kleshas

Every sentient being possesses their original face, which inherently radiates great luminosity, constantly functioning to maintain, utilize, and manifest all dharmas. It is through this that beings can engage in normal life activities. Regardless of whether beings are attached or unattached, whether they have deluded thoughts or not, or whether they are deluded or undeluded, the original face is always purely manifesting and functioning. There is fundamentally no need to exhaust all afflictions, deluded thoughts, and delusions before realizing It. Bodhisattvas precisely seek Bodhi amidst afflictions, because afflictions are manifestations of Bodhi; where there are afflictions, Bodhi is certainly present, and thus Bodhi can be found right where afflictions arise.

The exhaustion of afflictions is the state of an Arhat; the exhaustion of deluded thoughts and inversions is the state of the Buddha Bhagavat. These are the results and fruits attained after cultivating and realizing Bodhi. Ordinary beings bound by the karmic obstructions of birth and death in the six realms also possess this original face within them, illuminating heaven and earth, penetrating all without obstruction. Therefore, when an ordinary being realizes the original face amidst afflictions, they are no longer an ordinary being. Only then can they gradually eradicate afflictions, eliminate all attachments, remove inverted thoughts and defilements, and ultimately achieve Buddhahood.

As soon as the Bhagavat attained enlightenment, He declared: "How wondrous! All beings of the earth possess the wisdom and virtuous marks of the Tathagata. It is only because of afflictions and deluded thoughts that they cannot realize it." The Bhagavat meant that beings inherently possess the original face; they simply cannot realize it. Moreover, realizing it does not necessarily require the complete exhaustion of afflictions, deluded thoughts, and inversions.

The Buddha said that Bodhisattvas realize Bodhi without departing from afflictions. This means that Bodhisattvas discover the Bodhi mind amidst afflictions. After discovering the Bodhi mind, afflictions gradually fall away, eventually disappearing and perishing. Habitual tendencies are also exhausted, and ignorance can be severed. Before realizing the original face of Bodhi, it is impossible to exhaust afflictions, habitual tendencies, and inverted deluded thoughts.