In the theory of the ten
bhumi in the
Dasabhumika-sutra, the stages after the eighth are called
anabhoga (non-endeavor) and are clearly distinguished from the prior seven stages. It may be assumed that the key to understanding this may lie in
adhisthana.
Attention is drawn to a term appearing in the opening section of the eighth stage,
svadhisthita-tathagatadhisthana, which refers to the bodhisattvas who receive the
adhisthana of the
tathagatas. These bodhisattvas are grounded in the
purva-pranidhanadhisthana, or
adhisthana as the original vow following from the
tathagatas. These bodhisattvas, who now possess for the first time the power of their vows having attained
anutpada-dharma-ksanti on the eighth stage, receive the
jñanabhinirharamukha of the
tathagatas, and having done so shift to unrestricted bodhisattva practices. This can also be considered an aspect of
adhisthana. Even after they begin their unrestricted activities, the
adhisthana of the
tathagatas forms the basis for the bodhisattvas' activities which are by themselves ineffectual. This is seen in several passages as the basis of the eighth stage.
Next, two meanings may be conceived of for the
adhitisthati that manifests through the unrestricted activities of the bodhisattvas: (1) determination, or (2) establishing. For (1), to guide beings in the correct direction in the
bhajana-loka, the bodhisattvas change their own forms (
svakaya) to conform with that of particular beings. In other words, it is the determination of the bodhisattvas to change their appearance through the power of their vows, and accordingly such bodies arise (
adhitisthati). On the other hand, (2) on the basis of the bodhisattvas' wisdom and insight they perceive that their own bodies and the bodies of all sentient beings are the same and attain the realization of the identity of self and other. The bodhisattvas for the first time attain their true role in liberating beings through the power of their vows. The bodhisattva's body is established (
adhitisthati) without restrictions among the bodies of the sentient beings and all the ten bodies. Reaching this level of unimpeded practice, the bodhisattvas lose all sense of relativity and can engage in all aspects of non-discriminating bodhisattva practice.
As outlined above, two aspects are explained in the text: that of the ineffectuality of the eighth stage, and the
adhisthana of the
tathagatas and the unrestricted practice of the bodhisattvas based on that.
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