The Ninth Abode

 9. The Abode of the Prince of the Dharma

The Flower Garland Sutra says:

"These Bodhisattvas skillfully recognize ten things:

1. How living beings are born
2. How emotional troubles rise up and are manifested
3. How forces of habit become continuous
4. How to practice the ways and means
5. The limitless teachings
6. The many forms of dignified behavior
7. The different distinctions of this world
8. The events of the past and the future
9. Explaining and teaching in terms of worldly truth
10. Explaining and teaching in terms of the truth of the highest spiritual significance

The Bodhisattva should encourage the study of ten things:

1. The skillfulness that is appropriate for the King of the Dharma
2. The rules and protocols that are appropriate for the King of the Dharma
3. The palatial abode that is appropriate for the King of the Dharma
4. The destinies that are appropriate for the King of the Dharma
5. The observation that is appropriate for the King of the Dharma
6. The consecration that is appropriate for the King of the Dharma
7. The power and control that is appropriate for the King of the Dharma
8. The fearlessness that is appropriate for the King of the Dharma
9. The rest and repose that is appropriate for the King of the Dharma
10. The praise that is appropriate for the King of the Dharma

This is to make the Bodhisattvas foster progress in the non-obstruction of the mind so that they grasp what they hear without having to depend upon others to explain it."

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