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The Fourth Bodhicitta Ground: The Ground of Blazing Wisdom
Now, within the context of the Perfection of Diligence—being superior to the Perfections of Generosity, Ethical Discipline, and Patience—we elucidate the Fourth Bodhicitta Ground. The verse states:
All merit arises from diligence;
It serves as the cause for both merit and wisdom—the two accumulations.
In which ground does diligence blaze most intensely?
That very ground is the Fourth, the Ground of Blazing Wisdom.
If one lacks courage and vigor in engaging virtuous activities, one cannot possibly practice generosity and other such deeds; thus, no merit whatsoever can arise. Yet, if one diligently cultivates the merits described earlier—such as generosity—and thereby attains what was previously unattained or enhances what has already been attained, then diligence is rightly designated as the cause of all merit. Moreover, diligence serves as the common cause for both accumulations (merit and wisdom), as explained previously. From the perspective of self-purification through virtuous qualities, whichever ground a bodhisattva attains wherein diligence blazes most intensely is named the Fourth Ground—the Ground of Blazing Wisdom.
Why is this ground called “Blazing Wisdom”? To clarify the rationale behind this name, the verse states:
On this ground, bodhisattvas, through diligent cultivation
Of the Thirty-Seven Factors of Enlightenment, ignite the flame of correct wisdom,
Which surpasses even the crimson-gold light described previously.
On this ground, bodhisattvas cultivate the Thirty-Seven Factors of Enlightenment and thereby ignite the flame of correct wisdom—a radiance surpassing even the crimson-gold light mentioned earlier; hence, this bodhisattva ground is named the Ground of Blazing Wisdom. The Thirty-Seven Factors of Enlightenment comprise: the Four Establishments of Mindfulness, the Four Right Efforts, the Four Bases of Spiritual Power, the Five Faculties, the Five Powers, the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, and the Eightfold Noble Path.
Regarding the Four Establishments of Mindfulness, the sutra states:
“O sons of the Buddha! When bodhisattvas dwell on this Ground of Blazing Wisdom, they contemplate the inner body mindfully, with diligence, awareness, and clear comprehension—thereby abandoning worldly craving and sorrow. They contemplate the outer body mindfully, with diligence, awareness, and clear comprehension—thereby abandoning worldly craving and sorrow. They contemplate both the inner and outer bodies mindfully, with diligence, awareness, and clear comprehension—thereby abandoning worldly craving and sorrow. Likewise, they contemplate inner feelings, outer feelings, and both inner and outer feelings; inner mind, outer mind, and both inner and outer minds; inner phenomena, outer phenomena, and both inner and outer phenomena—all mindfully, with diligence, awareness, and clear comprehension—thereby abandoning worldly craving and sorrow.”
Regarding the Four Right Efforts, the sutra states:
“The bodhisattva on this ground:
(1) For unarisen unwholesome states, strives diligently, exerting effort and determination to prevent their arising;
(2) For arisen unwholesome states, strives diligently, exerting effort and determination to abandon them;
(3) For unarisen wholesome states, strives diligently, exerting effort and determination to bring them forth;
(4) For arisen wholesome states, strives diligently, exerting effort and determination to maintain them, prevent their loss, and enhance and expand them.”
Regarding the Four Bases of Spiritual Power, the sutra states:
“The bodhisattva on this ground practices concentration rooted in aspiration, cultivating spiritual power grounded in disenchantment, disengagement, cessation, and dedication to relinquishment. Similarly, he practices concentration rooted in diligence, concentration rooted in mindfulness, and concentration rooted in investigation—each cultivating spiritual power grounded in disenchantment, disengagement, cessation, and dedication to relinquishment.”
Regarding the Five Faculties, the sutra states:
“The bodhisattva on this ground practices the faculty of faith, grounded in disenchantment, disengagement, cessation, and dedication to relinquishment. Likewise, he practices the faculties of diligence, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom—each grounded in disenchantment, disengagement, cessation, and dedication to relinquishment.”
The Five Powers refer to capacities capable of overcoming obstructive factors, as previously explained.
Regarding the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, the sutra states:
“The bodhisattva on this ground practices the factor of mindfulness, grounded in disenchantment, disengagement, cessation, and dedication to relinquishment. Likewise, he practices the factors of investigation of phenomena, diligence, joy, tranquility, concentration, and equanimity—each grounded in disenchantment, disengagement, cessation, and dedication to relinquishment.”
Regarding the Eightfold Noble Path, the sutra states:
“The bodhisattva on this ground practices right view, grounded in disenchantment, disengagement, cessation, and dedication to relinquishment. Likewise, he practices right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right diligence, right mindfulness, and right concentration—each grounded in disenchantment, disengagement, cessation, and dedication to relinquishment.”
Bodhisattvas on this ground do not merely practice the Factors of Enlightenment. The verse states:
One fully transcends all views belonging to oneself.
Bodhisattvas on this ground also completely transcend all self-views. As the sutra states:
“O sons of the Buddha! When bodhisattvas dwell on this Ground of Blazing Wisdom, they thoroughly examine and overcome all attachments arising from views of self—including notions of ‘I,’ ‘person,’ ‘sentient being,’ ‘life span,’ and the five aggregates, eighteen dhatus, and twelve ayatanas—as well as all related mental projections, fluctuations, and conceptual elaborations. Through such examination and remediation, they relinquish attachment arising from identification with self, ownership, possessions, and objects of clinging—thus completely letting go of all such phenomena.”