Attaining Enlightenment by Cultivating the Six Paramitas of a Bodhisattva

The case of the World-Honored One picking up a flower and smiling—the Buddha picked up a flower and smiled, and Mahākāśyapa understood. Mahākāśyapa understood not that the flower is an illusory transformation of arising and ceasing, something false; rather, Mahākāśyapa understood the Tathāgatagarbha, discovering the functioning characteristics of the Buddha's immaculate consciousness within the Buddha himself, and thus he awakened to the mind. The case is meant to guide one to awaken to the mind and realize the Tathāgatagarbha. As for the flower the Buddha held and all phenomena, they are all manifestations transformed by the Tathāgatagarbha, illusory appearances of arising and ceasing. Yet from within these false appearances, we can awaken to a truth; by finding that truth, one awakens to the mind upon discovering it.

To attain awakening and realize the true mind of the Tathāgatagarbha, how should one cultivate? One must cultivate the six pāramitās of a bodhisattva: giving (dāna), precept observance (śīla), patience (kṣānti), diligence (vīrya), meditative concentration (dhyāna), and wisdom (prajñā). Giving is the cultivation of merit. We must plant seeds of merit within Mahāyāna Buddhism; only when merit and virtue are accumulated sufficiently can one become a bodhisattva who awakens to the mind and perceives the nature, possessing the merit and virtue of a bodhisattva. Therefore, merit and virtue must necessarily be cultivated. Without merit and virtue, it is also impossible to attain meditative concentration and wisdom, for merit and virtue are the foundation for cultivating all dharmas. After giving, one must observe precepts, because precept observance gathers the mind, preventing it from scattering. By observing precepts, the mind becomes pure and refrains from creating unwholesome karma. Once the mind is pure and tranquil, concentration can arise. When the power of concentration arises, one can abide in the state of concentration to contemplate the Buddha Dharma and observe its practice. Only then can one investigate and comprehend the Buddha Dharma, enabling the realization of the fruit and the awakening to the mind and perception of the nature.

What other conditions are needed to awaken to the mind and perceive the nature? One needs prajñā wisdom; one must understand the essential nature of the Tathāgatagarbha to know how to seek it within the functioning of the five aggregates and all phenomena. One needs to clarify the essential nature of prajñā, the essential nature of the Tathāgatagarbha. To seek it within the five aggregates and all phenomena, one must first understand the five aggregates clearly—how the five aggregates function, clarifying the veins of their operation. Once the five aggregates are understood, the Tathāgatagarbha is understood, and the six consciousnesses and seven consciousnesses are understood, then in a state of meditative concentration, by investigating the Tathāgatagarbha within the functioning of the conscious mind and within the five aggregates, when conditions are sufficient, one can realize the Tathāgatagarbha.

Giving, precept observance, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and studying prajñā wisdom—when these conditions are complete, one can awaken to the mind and perceive the nature. The Buddha Dharma has already pointed out the path and direction for us; all that remains is for us to actually cultivate it. What does cultivation entail? Cultivating giving to cultivate merit and virtue, cultivating diligence in practice, cultivating meditative concentration, cultivating prajñā wisdom, cultivating patience to transform mental conduct—when these practices are perfected, one can attain awakening.