The Seventh Abode

 7. The Abode of Non-Regression

The Flower Garland Sutra says:

"The Bodhisattvas hearts are strong and firm and do not turn and retreat upon hearing that:

1. There is or is not a Buddha
2. There is or is not a Dharma
3. There are or are not Bodhisattvas
4. There are or are not Bodhisattva practices
5. Bodhisattvas do or do not attain liberation by the cultivation of practice
6. There were or were not Buddhas in the past
7. There will be or will not be Buddhas in the future
8. There are or are not Buddhas in the present
9. The Buddha’s wisdom is finite or not
10. The past, present and future are uniform (of one aspect) or not

These Bodhisattvas should encourage the study of these ten things:

1. With there being one there are many
2. With there being many there is one
3. Words are in accord with meaning
4. Meaning is in accord with words
5. With there being nonexistence there is existence
6. With there being existence there is nonexistence
7. With there being aspects there is that beyond aspects
8. With there being that beyond aspects there are aspects
9. With there being that without a nature there is that with a nature
10. With there being that with a nature there is that without a nature

This is to make Bodhisattvas progress in attaining equanimity in all things so that they grasp what they hear without having to depend upon others to explain it."

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