1st Abode - The Initial Generation of [Bodhi]citta 初發心住
Bodhisattvas hear about the the Ten Powers, ten rarely acquired dharmas as the bases for generating bodhicitta:
Ten Difficult to Attain Dharmas 十種難得法 (i.e. the Ten Powers)
- Knowledge of what is so and not so 是處非處智
- Knowledge of the consequences of good and bad karma 善惡業報智
- Knowledge of superior and inferior faculties 諸根勝劣智
- Knowledge of differences in understandings 種種解差別智
- Knowledge of differences in realms 種種界差別智
- Knowledge of where all paths lead 一切至處道智
- Knowledge of all dhyanas, vimoksas and samadhis 諸禪解脫三昧智
- Knowledge without obstruction of past lives 宿命無礙智
- Knowledge without obstruction by the Divine Eye 天眼無礙智
- Knowledge of the ending of outflows in the three times 三世漏普盡智
Ten Dharmas to Study
- Being moved to make offerings to buddhas 勤供養佛
- Gladly abiding in Birth & Death 樂住生死
- Guiding worldly people to reject evil karma 主導世間令除惡業
- Practicing instruction by means of the most sublime dharma 以勝妙法常行教誨
- Praising the highest Dharma 歎無上法
- Studying the merit of the buddhas 學佛功德
- Being born before buddhas and being embraced by their company 生諸佛前恒蒙攝受
- Expediently explaining the tranquility of samadhi 方便演說寂靜三昧
- Praising detachment from the cycle of Birth & Death 讚歎遠離生死輪迴
- Being a refuge for suffering sentient beings 為苦眾生作歸依處
何以故？欲令菩薩於佛法中心轉增廣；有所聞法，即自開解，不由他教故。
“What is the reason? To cause bodhisattvas’ minds to broaden in the Buddha Dharma and be able to understand whatever Dharma they hear without depending upon another’s instruction.”