The Treatise Entering the Middle Way: Original Text (Chapter Nine: The Ground of Bodhicitta, the Ground of Excellent Wisdom)

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The Ninth Bodhicitta Ground: The Ground of Excellent Wisdom

Having explained the eighth bodhicitta, we now proceed to expound the ninth bodhicitta. The verse states:

The ninth ground fully purifies all powers and also attains pure virtues and the four unhindered knowledges.

A bodhisattva on the ninth ground has perfected the pāramitā of power to the highest degree. Moreover, this bodhisattva attains the pure virtue of the four unhindered knowledges: (1) unhindered knowledge of the Dharma, (2) unhindered knowledge of meaning, (3) unhindered knowledge of words, and (4) unhindered knowledge of eloquence. Specifically:

  • Unhindered knowledge of the Dharma enables one to comprehend the intrinsic characteristics of all phenomena;
  • Unhindered knowledge of meaning enables one to comprehend the distinctions among all phenomena;
  • Unhindered knowledge of words enables one to expound all phenomena clearly and without confusion;
  • Unhindered knowledge of eloquence enables one to understand the sequential, continuous, and uninterrupted nature of all phenomena.