Bodhisattva First Ground of 10 Grounds - Pramudita Bhumi (Ground of Happiness - stage of joy – Generosity – Dana

“Ananda, these good men have successfully penetrated through to Great Bodhi. Their enlightenment is entirely like the Thus Come One’s. They have fathomed the state of Buddhahood. This is called the Ground of Happiness.

“Ananda, these good men have successfully penetrated through to Great Bodhi.” The “good men” are the Bodhisattvas who have obtained the Level of Being First in the World.. Although the text says he has successfully penetrated through to great Bodhi, there really isn’t anything that’s been penetrated through to. “Their enlightenment is entirely like the Thus Come One’s.” Their enlightenment is the Thus Come One; the Thus Come One is enlightenment. They have become enlightened to that which the Thus Come One has become enlightened to. They can be called a Thus Come One when they have enlightened to that zero. And yet the zero isn’t anything at all, so don’t get attached to it! “They have fathomed the state of Buddhahood.” True Emptiness is the state of being nothing at all. But when they fathom the state of a Buddha, then within True Emptiness arises Wonderful Existence.

That Wonderful Existence is happiness. “Oh, so originally it’s just that way!” That’s the arising of happiness. “I didn’t understand before, but now I do.” They are inexpressibly happy. “This is called the Ground of Happiness.” It’s the first ground.

Chapter One: Introduction & The First Ground, the Very Joyful

Chandrakirti begins the first chapter of the Supplement with his moving homage to compassion, which he cites as the main cause of a bodhisattva. He further discusses compassion by differentiating its three types, which are explained thoroughly by Lama Tsongkhapa in his commentary, Illumination of the Thought.

Following that, prior to continuing with Chandrakirti's text, Lama Tsongkhapa briefly sets out the stages of progressing on the paths of the system of Arya Nagarjuna, and then justifies why Chandrakirti's explanation begins with the grounds of superiors rather than the earlier bodhisattva paths. Finally he presents the common characteristics and qualities of the ten grounds.

Chandrakirti then introduces the first ground, the Very Joyful, explaining the qualities of the bodhisattva abiding on that ground, particularly the features that beautify the bodhisattva's own continuum as well as those that outshine others' continuums. These features stem from the fact that the first ground bodhisattva has attained the initial direct realization of the ultimate truth of the profound emptiness. That accomplishment along with the bodhisattva's great compassion and desire to attain enlightenment cause the bodhisattva to outshine those on the hinayana path, the hearers and solitary realizers, by way of the special mahayana lineage that has been attained.

While discussing those of the hinayana lineage, Lama Tsongkhapa takes the opportunity to dispel any doubts as to their equal ability to correctly realize emptiness in their progress on the hearer and solitary realizer paths. Quoting extensively, primarily from Shantideva and Arya Nagarjuna, Lama Tsongkhapa thoroughly explains how liberation can only be attained by generating the wisdom realizing emptiness as set out in the Prasangika Madhyamika system of those masters. Lama Tsongkhapa concludes his discussion by addressing several objections to the assertions he has made regarding the distinctions between the hinayana and the mahayana.

Finally, Chandrakirti presents the perfection of giving, the first of the ten perfections correlated with the ten grounds. On the first ground, the perfection of giving becomes surpassing for the bodhisattva, to the point where there is not even the slightest resistance to giving away one's body, life, and resources to others in need. Chandrakirti discusses giving in general, setting out the ways that the Buddha taught generosity as the means to attain both the happiness of cyclic existence as well as the happiness of nirvana. He also elaborates on the giving of bodhisattvas in particular, discussing the benefits and importance of such actions, describing the joy that arises from gladly giving, and addressing the question as to whether or not a bodhisattva experiences suffering from giving away his body. The chapter concludes with an explanation of the divisions of the perfection of giving, followed by a summary of the excellent qualities that the bodhisattva of the first ground has attained.

(Original Source: Chandrakirti, Introduction to the Middle Way: Chandrakirti's Madhyamakavatara with Commentary by Jamgon Mipham, Source: http://www.iltk.it/mp/en/L4_S3_3_2_1_suppsummary.htm#1)

Primary Original Source: The Tripitaka Sutra, Shastra and Vinaya teachings
(as found in the scripture storehouse of the Indian Sanskrit-Siddham, Chinese, Tibetan and Japanese traditions of the Nalanda Tradition of ancient Nalanda University) of Shakyamuni Buddha, and his Arya Sagely Bodhisattva Bhikshu Monk and Upasaka disciples.

These Good and Wise Advisors (Kaliyanamitra) Dharma Master teachers include Arya Venerables Nagarjuna, Ashvaghosha, Aryasura, Kumarajiva, Shantideva, Chandrakirti, Chandragomin, Vasubandhu, Asanga, Hui Neng, Atisha, Kamalashila, Dharmarakshita, Tsong Khapa, Thogme Zangpo, Patanjali, Sushruta, Charaka, Vagbhata, Nichiren, Hsu Yun, Hsuan Hua, Shen Kai, Tenzin Gyatso, Kyabje Zopa, Ajahn Chah, Vasant Lad, and other modern day masters. We consider them to be in accord with Master Hsuan Hua’s "Seven Guidelines for Recognizing Genuine Teachers"

Nalanda Online University's teachings are based especially on the Dharma Flower Lotus Sutra, the Avatamsaka Sutra, the Shurangama Sutra, the Ksitigarbha Sutra, the Bhaisajya Guru Sutra, the Dharani Sutra, the Vajra Sutra, the Prajna Paramita Hridayam Sutra, the Guhyasamaja, the Kalachakra and their commentaries (shastras) by the above Arya Tripitakacharya Dharma Masters.

At Nalanda Online University we practice daily and introduce you to (via downloadable multimedia MP3 audio and WMV video lectures) the teachings and practices of the Five Traditions transmitted by the Buddha Shakyamuni:

1. Teaching School (Mahayana Sutrayana - Paramitayana - Hua Yan and Tian Tai, Yogachara, Nalanda Prasangika Madhyamika, Theravada Sutta)

See also: Tripitaka (1. Sutras, 2. Vinaya, 3. Shastras or Abhidharma, or Tantra), Taisho Catalog Numbering System, Dharma, and names of individual sutras (such as Shurangama Sutra, Avatamsaka Sutra [Flower Adornment Sutra], Lotus Sutra [Wonderful Dharma Flower Sutra], Earth Store Sutra, Dharani Sutra, Brahma Net Sutra, Medicine Master Buddha Sutra, Sixth Patriarch Platform Sutra, Sutra in 42 Sections, Sutra on the Buddha's Bequeathed Teaching, et al.

2. Moral Regulations School (Vinaya Pratimoksha Shila - Bodhisattva Pranidhana - Vajrayana-Samaya - Yogic Yama)

3. Esoteric School (Vajrayana - Mantrayana - Tantrayana - Dharani - Secret School of the Mahayana)

4. Meditation School (Indian Dhyana Samadhi - Shamatha - Vipassana, Chinese Chan, Japanese Zen,
        Tibetan Mahamudra of Kagyupa, and Tibetan Dzogchen of Nyingmapa)

5. Pure Land Devotional School (Bhakti Puja - Buddha-Bodhisattva Mindfulness and Nama Japa --
         Name Recitation of Buddhas Amitabha-Amitayus, Medicine Buddha - Bhaisajya Guru - Akshobhya,
         and Bodhisattvas: Avalokiteshvara-Guanyin-Chenrezig-Mahakala, Tara, Samantabhadra Universal Worthy,
         Manjushri-Kalarupa Great Wisdom, Maitreya Great Loving-Kindness, Mahasthamaprapta Great Strength,
         Ksitigarbha - Earth Store Great Vows, Vajrapani, Vajrasattva,
         Chandraprabha Moonlight Radiance, Suryaprabha Sunlight Radiance, Medicine King Bodhisattva, Medicine Superior Bodhisattva
         and others Dharma Protecting Dharmapala Lokapala Bodhisattvas, Gods and Goddesses)

Compilation Sources for the Above Material on the Teachings of the Buddha:

Primary Compilation Source: Epstein, Ronald B., Ph.D, compiler, Buddhist Text Translation Society's Buddhism A to Z, Burlingame, California: Buddhist Text Translation Society, 2003. ISBN: 0881393533 Paperback: 284 pages. www.BTTSOnline.org www.Amazon.com
http://www.bttsonline.org/product.aspx?pid=118 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0881393533/ref=ase_medicinebuddh-20

Secondary Compilation Source: The Seeker’s Glossary of Buddhism, 2nd ed., San Francisco, California: Sutra Translation Committee of the United States and Canada, 1998: www.budaedu.org.tw

Secondary Compilation Source: Muller, Charles, editor, Digital Dictionary of Buddhism [DDB], Toyo Gakuen University, Japan, 2007: Username is "guest", with no password.
http://buddhism-dict.net/ddb - Based in large part on the Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Terms with Sanskrit and English Equivalents (by Soothill and Hodous) Delhi, India: Motilal Banarsidass, 1997.

Secondary Compilation Source: Ehrhard, Diener, Fischer, et al, The Shambhala Dictionary of Buddhism and Zen, Boston, Massachusetts: Shambhala Publications, 1991. 296 pages. ISBN 978-0-87773-520-5 www.Shambhala.com, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0877735204/ref=ase_medicinebuddh-20,
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/isbn/978-0-87773-520-5.cfm

The Dharma is a Priceless Jewel,
thus these research compilations
and audio and video teaching materials are
offered free-of-charge by this anonymous Buddhist Monk
for the Bodhi Resolve benefit of All Sentient Beings in the Universe...

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The rights to textual segments ("quoted, paraphrased, or excerpted") of the are owned by the author-publisher indicated in the brackets next to each segment and are make available and commented on (under the "shastra tradition") under Fair Use. For rights regarding the Buddhist "Encyclopaedia - Glossary - Dictionary" compilation as a whole, please know that it is offered under this Creative Commons License.

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so they may diligently (virya paramita) cultivate freely to
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On the Buddha Shakyamuni's Birthday 2007,
this free redaction is offered (received, upheld, read, recited, studied, pondered, explained, and written out),
in accordance with the Lotus Saddharma Pundarika Sutra Chapter 19: "Merit and Virtue of a Dharma Master" as a
selfless offering to the Buddhas and Bodhisattva Sangha above to adorn the Pure Lands and
to liberate living beings suffering in samsara below by compassionately helping them to plant good roots in this and their future rebirths.

The merit is dedicated to anuttarasamyaksambodhi.

Increasing Effect Mantra:
Om Sambhara Sambhara (These Bhikshu Bodhisattva Bodhichitta Vows) Bimana Sara (Spread) Maha (Greatly) Java (Rapidly) Hum (recited 7x)

To increase by 100,000 times the merit created:
Tadyatha Om Pancha Griya (five offerings or five faces) Ava Bodhani Svaha (7x)

Om Dhuru Dhuru Jaya (Victory) Mukhe (Face or Mouth) Svaha (7x)

I Now Universally Transfer the Merit and Virtue of to All Beings to realize Anuttara-Samyak-Sam-Bodhi
(“Unsurpassed Proper and Equal Right Enlightenment”)

Sarva Mangalam.
May all be Auspicious.

Arya Bhikshu Shantideva’s Bodhisattvacharyavatara says:
Just as Manjushri works
To fulfill the aims of all limited beings
To the far reaches of space in the ten directions,
May my behavior become just like that.

For as long as space remains,
And for as long as wandering beings remain,
May I too remain for that long,
Dispelling the sufferings of wandering beings.

(Like Ananda says in the Shurangama Sutra introduction to the Shurangama Mantra,
"And even could the nature of shunyata melt away, my vajra-like Supreme Resolve would still remain unmoved.)

Whatever sufferings wandering beings might have,
May all of them ripen on me,
And through the Bodhisattva assembly,
May wandering beings enjoy happiness.

May the teachings,
the sole medicine for the sufferings of wandering beings
And the source of all happiness,
Continue to endure for a very long time,
With material support and shows of respect.

Updated May 10, 2008

First Ground: 1. Pramudita Bhumi (Ground of Happiness - stage of joy – Generosity – Dana – Practice of Happiness)

Chapter One: Introduction & The First Ground, the Very Joyful