Overall Teaching

The bodhisattva's mind is the source of all their actions and speech. It knows all things and cannot fall into attachments. Bodhisattvas arise in accordance with the non-arising of all dharmas—thus they are non-arising and have nothing to attain or realise. Even so, they conventionally practise all of the aspects of the Buddhist path as laid out in the Tripiṭaka but understand them on a more transcendent level. Coming to realise that the true nature of the mind abides everywhere, when a bodhisattva's mind is pure, all beings' minds are pure. Overall, this teaches that if there is something to attain, an obstacle arises—thus true attainment is realising non-attainment. The path involves realising one's true mind is the ground from which all minds arise (i.e. in their non-arising nature). This is Buddha-nature or the transformed ālaya consciousness.

Summary

1. The Bodhisattva's Mind is what Accomplishes the Path

   • The secret of the bodhisattva's mind, and its pure activities, is that they accomplish all things without any pride, and all of their activities are based on their subtle knowledge.

     • It is this supernormal cognition from which they can manifest in all locations and beings—i.e., the secrets of body and speech are sub-components of the secret of mind.

     • It also knows all dharmas and minds of beings.

     • It is what turns the Dharma Wheel.

     • It is by virtue of their mind that bodhisattvas are pure and free from afflictions, and cannot fall into attachments. 

2. The Bodhisattva's Mind is Unbounded

   • Bodhisattvas are born in accordance with the non-arising of dharmas— thus, in taking birth, they are truly non-arising.

     • It is also through this non-arising that they can attain all dharmas and all Buddha-dharmas (qualities of a buddha), as nothing is to be attained or not attained. Seeing all as equal to space, they have no fetters or attachments.

   • Therefore, one who does not attain (i.e., apprehend) the slightest dharma accords with and completely understands them.

3. How the Bodhisattva Cultivates with the Mind

   • A bodhisattva cultivates using the aspects of the Dharma in the following manner:

     • With each of the four immeasurables, they see no-self, being, soul, or person.

     • With the six perfections, they progress beyond limitations. • With the thirty-seven factors of awakening, they go beyond discrimination.

     • With the noble eightfold path, they realise objectless tranquillity.

     • With the contemplation of the Triple Gem, they attain a non-abiding mind.

     • With cultivating the practices of a bodhisattva (e.g. maturing beings, purifying the realms, attaining non-retrogression, etc.), their mind fills the three realms.

     • With cultivating Buddha-activity, they awake to the inherent existence of all (i.e., the dharmadhātu as equal to buddha-nature).

   • This is the attainment of patience; through it, one's mind accords with and abides everywhere. Thus, when a bodhisattva's mind is pure, all beings' minds also become pure.

4. The Benefits of the Assembly in Listening to this Teaching

   • When the assembly heard Vajrapāṇi finish teaching on the secrets of the bodhisattvas' body, speech, and mind, thousands of those in attendance aroused bodhicitta, gained the pure Dharma-eye, and were freed from discursive thought.

   • The cosmos quaked in six ways, light pervaded universally, and flowers rained from the sky.

   • Music played from the sky, from which issued forth words declaring that if someone can hear and broadly teach this teaching to others, one will never forsake bodhicitta. Moreover, they will have already planted wholesome roots in the presence of past buddhas and will continue to endeavour in bodhisattva practices.