"Ratnākara, the various kinds of living beings are in themselves the Buddha lands (buddhakṣetra) of the bodhisattvas. Why so? Because it is by converting various beings to the teachings that the bodhisattvas acquire their Buddha lands. It is by persuading various beings and overcoming their objections that the bodhisattvas acquire their Buddha lands. It is by inducing the various living beings to enter into the Buddha wisdom in such-and-such a land that they acquire their Buddha lands. It is by inducing the various living beings to develop the capacity for bodhisattva practices in such-and-such a land that they acquire their Buddha lands. Why is this? Because the bodhisattva's acquisition of a pure land is wholly due to his having brought benefit to living beings. Suppose a man proposes to build a mansion on a plot of open land. He may do so as he wishes without hindrance. But if he tries to build it in the empty air, he will never be successful. It is the same with the bodhisattvas. It is because they wish to help others to achieve success that they take their vow to acquire Buddha lands. Their vow to acquire Buddha lands in not founded on emptiness."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Gautama Buddha, on the practices carried out by bodhisattvas in purifying the lands. Vimalakirti Sutra, Chapter I, as translated by , ', 2000, ISBN: 0231106572.
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bodhisattva
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Bodhisattva
7 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Bodhisattva →
Related Quotes
"Ratnākara, you should understand that an upright mind is the pure land of the bodhisattva. When the bodhisattva attai…"
"No teaching foresaw the future with such precision as Buddhism. Parallel with reverence for Buddha, Buddhism develops…"
"Thus have I heard at one time. The Lord Buddha was in residence in the garden of Amrapali, in the city of Vaisali, at…"
"Shariputra, the bodhisattva treats all things and beings, each one of them, with perfect equality. His deeply searchi…"
"Thus, Mahāmati, wherever there is the evolution of living beings, let people cherish the thought of kinship with them…"
"For fear of causing terror to living beings, Mahāmati, let the Bodhisattva who is disciplining himself to attain comp…"
"Her widespread popularity confirms her ability to cater to the varying needs of her devotees. But, one might object, …"
"Tārā is also known as a saviouress, as a heavenly deity who hears the cries of beings experiencing misery in saṃsāra."
"Recite in the mind, until you're tired, this mantra of ten syllables. First we place an OM , and then after that we a…"
"In one story of her saving a wood-gatherer from the jaws of a lion Taaraa appears as a woman clad in leaves. The form…"