29. Ten Benefits

Source Text (Translated from the Chinese)

Overall Teaching

Bodhisattva mahāsattvas gain ten sets of tenfold benefits through practising virtues. These benefits culminate in the attainment of the five supernormal powers—divine eye, divine ear, mind-reading, recollection of past lives, and mastery of supernatural powers—and the three treasuries of the Buddha, Dharma, and wisdom. These attainments enable bodhisattvas to guide all sentient beings toward liberation, surpassing the capacities of śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas.

Summary

The Buddha explains the benefits that arise from bodhisattva practice. First he explains the benefits in prose and then reiterates them in verse (this summary combines them):
1. (Perfection of patience (kṣānti-pāramitā))
  As a result of Patience with Loving-kindness:
  1. Fire cannot burn them.
  2. Swords cannot cut them.
  3. Poison cannot affect them.
  4. Water cannot sweep them away.
  5. Protected by non-human beings such as devas, nāgas, and yakṣas.
  6. Attain a body adorned with the thirty-two marks.
  7. Protected from evil realms.
  8. Born in Brahmā heaven according to their wishes.
  9. Always peaceful day and night.
  10. Body never departs from joy and bliss.
2. (Perfection of diligence (vīrya-pāramitā))
  As a result of diligence they:
  1. Cannot be subdued by others.
  2. Embraced by Buddhas.
  3. Protected by non-human beings.
  4. Do not forget the Dharma they hear.
  5. Able to hear new teachings.
  6. Increase in eloquence.
  7. Attain the nature of samādhi.
  8. Experience few illnesses and little distress.
  9. Digest food with ease.
  10. Like utpala lotuses.
3. (Perfection of Meditation (dhyāna-pāramitā))
  As a result of Meditation in Accord with Concentration they:
  1. Abide in proper conduct.
  2. Engage in the domain of loving-kindness.
  3. Free from afflictions and heat.
  4. Guard their sense faculties.
  5. Attain joy without food.
  6. Far removed from craving and desire.
  7. Meditation practice is not in vain.
  8. Liberated from Māra's snare.
  9. Abide in the realm of the Buddhas.
  10. Attain full liberation.
4. (Perfection of Wisdom (prajñā-pāramitā))
  As a result of the Perfection of Wisdom they:
  1. Give up all things without holding to the thought of giving.
  2. Uphold discipline without deficiency but without relying on precepts.
  3. Abide in patience without holding the notion of sentient beings.
  4. Engage in diligence while detached from body and mind.
  5. Cultivate meditation without attachment to any place.
  6. Māra cannot disturb them.
  7. Mind remains unmoved by others' words.
  8. Reach the bottom of the ocean of saṃsāra.
  9. Give rise to great compassion for all sentient beings.
  10. Do not delight in the paths of śrāvakas and pratyekabuddhas.
5. As a result of Extensive Learning they:
  1. Know the supports of afflictions.
  2. Know the supports of purity.
  3. Free from doubts.
  4. Establish correct views.
  5. Avoid false paths.
  6. Abide on the correct path.
  7. Open the gate to the deathless.
  8. Draw near to the Buddha’s bodhi.
  9. Become a light for all sentient beings.
  10. Do not fear evil realms.
6. As a result of Giving the Dharma they:
  1. Abandon evil deeds.
  2. Perform virtuous deeds.
  3. Abide in the Dharma of good people.
  4. Purify Buddha lands.
  5. Approach the bodhimaṇḍa.
  6. Give up attachments to cherished things.
  7. Subdue afflictions.
  8. Bestow merit upon sentient beings.
  9. Cultivate loving-kindness toward sentient beings.
  10. Experience joy through seeing the Dharma.
7. As a result of Abiding in Emptiness they:
  1. Abide where the Buddha abides.
  2. Cultivate meditation without attachment.
  3. Do not delight in rebirth.
  4. Do not grasp at precepts.
  5. Do not slander the noble ones.
  6. Dwell among sentient beings without engaging in disputes.
  7. Avoid involvement in worldly affairs.
  8. Dwell far from evil deeds.
  9. Do not slander Buddhas.
  10. Adopt pure and virtuous Dharma.
8. As a result of Serene Meditation their:
  1. Mind is not clouded.
  2. They abide in non-negligence.
  3. Are cherished by Buddhas.
  4. Have faith in the practices of perfect awakening.
  5. Have no doubts about the Buddha's wisdom.
  6. Understand gratitude.
  7. Do not slander the true Dharma.
  8. Uphold the precepts skilfully.
  9. Reach the stage of pacification.
  10. Attain the four unobstructed [eloquence].
9. As a result of Delighting in Solitude they:
  1. Reduce worldly affairs.
  2. Are far from disturbances.
  3. Have no conflicts.
  4. Dwell in places free from afflictions.
  5. Do not increase defilements.
  6. Avoid disputes.
  7. Abide in silence.
  8. Follow continuous liberation.
  9. Swiftly attain liberation.
  10. Attain samādhi through effort.
10. As a result of Delight in Dhutāṅga (wilderness-dwelling & light asceticism) and Alms Practice, they:
  1. Destroy the banner of egoistic pride.
  2. Do not seek familial affection.
  3. Do not act for fame.
  4. Remain in the noble lineage.
  5. Avoid flattery, deceit, and harsh speech.
  6. Do not exalt themselves.
  7. Do not disparage others.
  8. Eliminate desire and hatred.
  9. Practise giving Dharma rather than seeking food.
  10. Their teachings are trusted by others.
Bodhisattvas abiding with these benefits attain the Buddha treasury, Dharma treasury, and wisdom treasury.
1. Buddha treasury: gained through the divine eye, allowing the bodhisattvas to continuously behold the Buddhas across all directions and never be separated from their vision.
  1. - This also allows them to attain the five supernormal powers:
      1. Divine eye: the ability to see countless Buddhas and Bhagavāns in all directions.
      2. Divine ear: the ability to hear all the Dharma teachings proclaimed by the Buddhas, regardless of distance.
      3. Mind-reading: the ability to understand the minds and intentions of others.
      4. Recollection of past lives: clear knowledge of their own and others' past lives.
      5. Mastery of supernatural powers: control over space, time, and other extraordinary abilities.
2. Dharma treasury: attained via the divine ear, where bodhisattvas hear all the teachings of the Buddhas without interruption, ensuring they are always immersed in the Dharma.
3. Wisdom treasury: acquired through insight into the minds and actions of sentient beings, allowing bodhisattvas to skilfully teach and guide others with great compassion and without delusion.
  1. - They also attain the treasury of wisdom regarding past, present, and future, which comes from their deep understanding of the workings of the mind and Dharma, as well as their ability to discern the desires and aversions of all beings based on sensory experience. This wisdom enables them to act in accordance with the true nature of reality, leading sentient beings toward liberation. The chapter concludes by affirming that such accomplishments are beyond the reach of śrāvakas, pratyekabuddhas, and those who follow external paths.
These three treasuries allow them to realise the Buddha's Dharma. The chapter concludes by affirming that such accomplishments are beyond the reach of śrāvakas, pratyekabuddhas, and those who follow external paths.

Commentary

Thrangu Rinpoche's commentary elucidates key aspects of the Six Perfections (completed in this chapter) and the benefits they bring, expanding upon what is not fully explained in the text:

He explains that cultivating patience leads to a peaceful life by preventing the rise of enemies, as anger creates hostility. Training in patience not only avoids anger but also generates protection by divine beings, leading to a peaceful, untroubled existence. He stresses that diligence brings benefits such as not forgetting the Dharma, continually learning, and achieving deep concentration.

Beyond the six perfections:

(5) The benefits of extensive learning are emphasised through the importance of studying the Buddha’s words and teachings, which clears up doubts and strengthens one’s path toward enlightenment. Study helps develop correct views, avoid errant paths, and approach liberation.
(6) Thrangu Rinpoche also underscores the importance of sharing Dharma with others, noting that teaching reinforces one’s own understanding and helps to abandon unwholesome actions.
(9) In terms of seclusion, Thrangu Rinpoche interprets this not only as physical isolation but as living in a spiritual community focused on Dharma, which prevents distraction and negative actions.

In conclusion, he emphasises that blessings, rather than being conceived of as transferred from the Buddha should be conceived of as inspired by internal transformation and greater effort in practice.

Discussion

How should we interpret the concept of "benefits" from spiritual practice?

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