Summary

• The Buddha explains to Śāntamati that one must engage in practice not only through words, but also through genuine practice to attain the true path to awakening. This path is briefly spelt out as follows:

  • (1) not harming beings, (2) giving rise to the mind of compassion and striving on the pāramitās, and (3) gathering all by the four means of conversion.

  • (4) attaining the Dharma by the 37 factors, (5) nurture all wholesome roots and fulfil the six supernormal powers.

  • (6) the mind of joyful faith and reverence, (7) the deep mind, free from falsity, (8) a mind of equality, that doesn't perform misdeeds.

  • (9-14) the six pāramitās.

  • (15-18) the four immeasurables.

  • (19-22) the purification of the mind.

  • (23-25) performing the deeds of a buddha, e.g. defeating māras.

  • (26-28) developing qualities related to teaching and teachers (i.e. the "good friend")

  • (29-32) developing a mind of non-discrimination and transitioning towards and attaining nirvāṇa.