What is Anutpattika-dharma-ksanti?

The Dharma of Non-arising encompasses not only the non-self of the five aggregates (panca-skandha) but also the subtler non-self of dharmas. The acceptance and realization of the non-self of dharmas is a great wisdom known as anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti (the patience or insight into the non-arising of dharmas). Anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti is the wisdom state realizing the consciousness-only nature (vijñapti-mātratā) and the suchness (tathatā) of all dharmas. It is also the samādhi of suchness, surpassing the Three Sage Stages (tri-śaikṣa-bhūmi). It entails partial realization of the One True Dharma Realm (ekasatya-dharma-dhātu), the attainment of ālaya-vijñāna wisdom (vijñāna-jñāna), and entry into the vijñapti-mātratā stages beginning with the First Ground (prathama-bhūmi).

Within the Mahāyāna path, during the Three Sage Stages, one must pass the Three Barriers (san-kuan) of Chan Buddhism and realize wisdom states such as the contemplation of mirages (mṛga-tṛṣṇā) and the contemplation of dreams (svapna-darśana). The experiential realization of prajñā (wisdom) progressively deepens and refines. As the depth of wisdom reaches a certain level, one attains a portion of ālaya-vijñāna wisdom, thereby entering the First Ground (prathama-bhūmi) and gaining a portion of anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti. What is realized at this stage? What is realized is tathatā (suchness), meaning the realization that all dharmas possess a portion of suchness. This stage is called partial realization (bhāga-pratipatti). Partial realization is equivalent to Buddhahood; it is the partial realization of the Dharma Body (dharmakāya), also known as the partial realization of anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti.

We have already understood the meaning of "non-arising" (anutpattika) and the meaning of "patience/insight" (kṣānti). There remains the meaning of "dharma" (dharma). The scope of this "dharma" is subtler and broader than that of the five aggregates. It encompasses all worldly entities, principles, concepts, and notions—in general, material dharmas (rūpa-dharma) and mental dharmas (citta-dharma). The five aggregates also include material and mental dharmas, but their scope is narrower and their level shallower. The wisdom gained from them is inferior to the wisdom of anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti, which perceives the non-arising of all dharmas. The wisdom of anutpattika-dharma-kṣānti is also called sarvathā-jñāna (all-inclusive wisdom) or ālaya-vijñāna wisdom. When sarvathā-jñāna is perfected, it becomes the sarvajñā (omniscience) of a Buddha.