The Bodhisattva Way

About the Book

The teachings of the Buddha are classified into five categories, the Five Vehicles, according to sentient beings’ aspirations and capacities, However, He intends for all to ride the One Vehicle to Buddhahood. Although Buddha nature is in all, everyone needs training to reveal it. He who activates the bodhi mind to enlighten himself and others is a Bodhisattva, who must accumulate merit and develop wisdom on the Bodhisattva Way to Buddhahood.

This book, Rulu’s fourth, presents three sūtras in English, all translated from texts in the Chinese Buddhist Canon. Sūtra 1 is the Sūtra of the Garland of a Bodhisattva’s Primary Karmas. It presents the forty-two levels of training on the Bodhisattva Way, classified into six stages. This sūtra has never before been translated into English. Sūtra 2 is chapter 7 of the Sūtra of the Profound Secret Unraveled. It describes the four purities and the eleven parts of training, which rule the holy grounds, and explains the ten pāramitās. Sūtra 3 is chapter 26 of the Mahāvaipulya Sūtra of Buddha Adornment. It presents in detail a Bodhisattva’s training on the Ten Grounds, his spiritual attainments, and his worldly requitals. The translator’s introduction integrates the essential teachings in these three sūtras. This book will benefit readers at all levels and can serve as a basis for scholarly research.

About the Author