Bodhisattvas Are Eternally Inseparable from Sentient Beings

Bodhisattvas are divided into different levels. First, those who have not severed the view of self cannot leave sentient beings even if they wish to, because they are bound by the Three Fetters and cannot avoid the three evil destinies; thus, they remain inseparable from the beings in the three evil destinies. When they return to the human or heavenly realms, they remain inseparable from beings there. Bodhisattvas who have severed the view of self and the Three Fetters up to the stage before the first ground (bhūmi) are together with sentient beings wherever they go and cannot be separated from them. Bodhisattvas after attaining the grounds, having made the Ten Inexhaustible Vows, are constrained by the power of their vows and cannot enter nirvana without remainder; thus, they must still remain with sentient beings.

The key point is that Bodhisattvas at each level must grasp the crucial question: with what kind of sentient beings should they remain? If a Bodhisattva makes vows, they must consider clearly what kind of vows are suitable for themselves, to avoid regret in the future.

The primary and foremost task for every Bodhisattva is to eradicate the Three Fetters, and this must be genuinely accomplished, leaving no residual fetters. Only then can they speak of delivering sentient beings, relatively and conditionally selecting those sentient beings who correspond to them.

One may vow to deliver sentient beings in the Saha World, to deliver sentient beings on Earth, vowing not to leave Earth or the Saha World. Yet, if one has not eradicated the Three Fetters, upon the end of life, one will follow the fetters and fall into the three evil destinies. Despite vowing to deliver sentient beings, if one has not even delivered oneself and still requires other Bodhisattvas for deliverance, how can one speak of delivering sentient beings?

Whether studying Buddhism, performing good deeds, making vows, or doing anything else, all actions require considerable wisdom. One cannot rely solely on an impulse of passion, acting on whatever impulse arises without considering the consequences; this is unacceptable.