The Evil Karma Prone to Be Committed by Bodhisattvas Before the First Ground

Before attaining the first ground, bodhisattvas have not eradicated afflictions, and subtle afflictions may still manifest from time to time. In severe cases, they may even commit relatively grave unwholesome karmas. Such major unwholesome karmas are generally related to Buddhist practice and realization; they typically do not commit major unwholesome deeds in worldly matters, such as killing and arson. Even those who have not severed the view of self do not commit such grave misdeeds, nor do non-Buddhists.

The unwholesome karmas more easily committed by bodhisattvas before the first ground primarily involve altering the objectives and path of the Buddha's teachings, expounding doctrines that do not accord with the Buddha's intent, distorting the Buddha's Dharma, jeopardizing sentient beings' dharma-body wisdom-life, and so forth. Furthermore, tendencies like competing for certain things and feelings of jealousy still exist, and they may also commit acts of defamation karma.

Regarding this point, several Buddhist sūtras have recorded the causes, conditions, and karmic retributions of unwholesome deeds committed by bodhisattvas, and the retributions are described as extremely severe.