52 Stages of Bodhisattva Cultivation
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Fifty-two Positions in the Process of Cultivation
This sect adopted the fifty-two positions of Bodhisattva in the process of his cultivation, as stipulated in the Commentary of Mahaprajna Paramitas.
These positions were established in accordance with the teaching of the Common Truth. They are: Ten Faith, Ten Dwelling, Ten Behavioral Activities, Ten Transference, Ten Stages, and Samyaksambodhi (Absolute Universal Enlightenment) as the 51st , and lastly the Wonderful Enlightenment, which is actually the position of Buddhahood.
60.3.1 Ten Faith 十信
The ten grades of BodhisattvaÂ’s faith, which are also the first ten progressive stages in the 52 BodhisattvaÂ’s positions in cultivation. All false view are subdued by Ten Faith. They are:
Faith ( 信心 )
Remembrance ( 念心 )
Zeal ( 精進心 )
Wisdom ( 慧心 )
Concentration ( 定心 )
Non-retrogression ( 不退心 )
Protection of the Truth ( 護法心 )
Reflexive power ( 迥向心 )
Precept ( 戒心 )
Vow ( 願心 )
60.3.2 Ten Dwelling 十住
The ten stages in Bodhisattva wisdom, which are the second ten stages in the 52 BodhisattvaÂ’s positions in cultivation. Subsequent to the cultivation of the Ten Faith, the practitioner will enter the stream of sages. All false views on dwelling are cut off and all desires are subdued by Ten Dwellings.They are:
The stage of setting objective ( 發心位 )
The stage of clear understanding and mental control ( 治地位 )
The stage of unobstructed cultivation ( 修行位 )
The stage of acquiring the seed of Tathagata ( 生貴位 )
The stage of perfect expedience ( 方便具足位 )
The stage of the whole mind as BuddhaÂ’s ( 正心位 )
The stage of non-retrogression ( 不退位 )
The stage of being BuddhaÂ’s son ( 童真位 )
The stage of being the prince of the law ( 法王子位 )
The stage of Abhiseka ( 灌頂位 )
60.3.3 Ten Behavioral Activities 十行
The ten behavioral activities of Bodhisattvas done for the benefits of others, which is the third ten stages in the 52 BodhisattvaÂ’s positions in cultivation. All matters related to material and love are subdued. They are:
Joyful service ( 歡喜行 )
Beneficial service ( 饒益行 )
Never resenting ( 無嗔恨行 )
Without limit ( 無盡行 )
Never out of order ( 離癡亂行 )
Appearing in ant form at will ( 善觀行 )
Unimpeded ( 無著行 )
Exalting the paramitas amongst all beings ( 尊重行 )
Perfecting the BuddhaÂ’s law by complete virtues ( 善法行 )
Manifesting in all things the pure, final and true reality ( 真實行 )
60.3.4 Ten Transferences 十迴向
The fourth ten stages of the 52 BodhisattvaÂ’s positions in cultivation. All existence and love are subdued by Ten Transferences. They are:
Transference of salvaging all sentient beings, yet detaching from any form of sentient being( 救護一切眾生、離眾生相迴向 )
Transference of non-destruction ( 不壞迴向 )
Transference of equalizing all Buddhas ( 等一切佛迴向 )
Transference of reaching everywhere ( 至一切處迴向 )
Transference of the store of boundless virtues (無盡功德藏迴向 )
Transference of the good roots of equality and harmony ( 隨順平等善根迴向 )
Transference of viewing all sentient beings in equality and harmony ( 隨順等觀一切眾生迴向 )
Transference of the mark of True Suchness ( 真如相迴向 )
Transference of the liberation without any tie nor attachment ( 無縛無著解脫迴向 )`
Transference of equalizing the boundless Dharma-realm ( 等法界無量迴向 )
60.3.5 Ten Stages 十地
The ten stages of the development of a Bodhisattva into a Buddha, which are the fifth ten of the 52 BodhisattvaÂ’s positions in cultivation. According to ‘The Commentary on Mahaprajna ParamitaÂ’ ( 大智度論 ), the ten stages are:
Pramudita ( 歡喜地 ) – the stage of joy, i.e. joy at having overcome the previous difficulties, and entering the path to Buddhahood.
Vimlala ( 離垢地 ) – the stage of purity, i.e. freedom from all possible defilement.
Prabhakar ( 發光地 ) – the stage of illumination, i.e. further enlightenment.
Arcismati ( 焰慧地 ) – the stage of glowing wisdom.
Sudurjaya ( 極難勝地 ) _ the stage of mastery of utmost difficulty
Adhimukhi ( 現前地 ) – the stage of open mind, i.e. the open way of wisdom above definitions of impurity and purity
Duramgama ( 遠行地 ) – the stage of afar practice, i.e. proceeding afar, getting above the ideas of self in order to save others.
Acala ( 不動地
– the stage of unperturbed state, i.e. calm and unperturbed in mind.
Sadhumati ( 善慧地 ) – the stage of the finest wisdom, i.e. wisdom to determine where and how to save others, and possession of the Ten Powers.
Dharmamegha ( 法雲地 ) – stage of Dharma-cloud. i.e. attaining the fertilizing powers of the Dharma-cloud.
Each of the ten stages is connected and related to each of the Ten Paramitas practiced by Bodhisattvas. The ten major ignorances are also cut off, corresponding to the Ten Stages. -
Bodhisattva practise is a long path, but it's not very difficult to make a start!
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the 52 stage of a Bodhisattva is too deep
maybe u will like to know about the gradual steps
in Mahayana we have from the 37 chapter of practice
4 noble truth ,
noble eightfold paths
7 bodhi branch
5 root
5 energy
and so on ...care to continue on that
A bodhisattva can be any ordinary person on the road....
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This is from Tian Tai School, it's deep indeed. i used to be confused, now it's more clear. the one i post at esangha is incorrect about arahats. it should be:Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Fifty-two Positions in the Process of Cultivation
This sect adopted the fifty-two positions of Bodhisattva in the process of his cultivation, as stipulated in the Commentary of Mahaprajna Paramitas.
These positions were established in accordance with the teaching of the Common Truth. They are: Ten Faith, Ten Dwelling, Ten Behavioral Activities, Ten Transference, Ten Stages, and Samyaksambodhi (Absolute Universal Enlightenment) as the 51st , and lastly the Wonderful Enlightenment, which is actually the position of Buddhahood.
Normal arahats are only rank 7th faith (Protection of the Truth )
and Pratyekabuddha are rank 8th faith (Reflexive power )
from 1st Dwelling onward, one would have puo yi pi wu ming(severed a piece of unknown/ignorance, altogether 42 pieces) and one will be out of the 4 noble realms, and one's a Real Buddha. There they will dwell in One True Realm(yi zhen fa jie).
There's a kind of person(bodhisattva), well study, and passing the exam(nirvana) is not a problem for them. But they are really helpful(compassionate) by failing a little (keep a bit of karma)of the test, so as to remain in the class(samsara) in order to help those (sentient beings)that are less studied. If they were to graduate, we(sentient being) will be helpless. This is the Best Bodhisattva/Buddha ideal.
Real Bodhisattvas should be holding Nirvana in control (ie at least a 47th-48th Bhumi/a non-retrogressor). Buddha might not wish that one cannot control nirvana and retrogress for infinity/countless aeons!
It's said Bodhisattva takes 3 Mahakaplas to reach Buddhahood. And it's from the 1st to the last 52th stage! And if were to count before the 1st stage will mean countless kalpas, due to the fact of retrogression!
In terms of 52 stages of bodhisattva: It'll take 1 Mahakalpa to reach from 1st stage to 40th stage! And 1 Mahakalpa to reach 47th stage. 1 more Mahakalpa to reach 51 stage. (The higher the harder it goes)
so to speak.
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37 Prerequisites of Enlightenment? (37 Dao Ping) I have read about all of them before... in fa yu bing fen book written by my master. It is the path to Nirvana, but not necessarily means the path to Buddhahood. You can find it in Theravada too.Originally posted by bohiruci:the 52 stage of a Bodhisattva is too deep
maybe u will like to know about the gradual steps
in Mahayana we have from the 37 chapter of practice
4 noble truth ,
noble eightfold paths
7 bodhi branch
5 root
5 energy
and so on ...care to continue on that
A bodhisattva can be any ordinary person on the road.... -
I see, thanks for your explanation!Originally posted by sinweiy:This is from Tian Tai School, it's deep indeed. i used to be confused, now it's more clear. the one i post at esangha is incorrect about arahats. it should be:
Normal arahats are only rank 7th faith (Protection of the Truth )
and Pratyekabuddha are rank 8th faith (Reflexive power )
from 1st Dwelling onward, one would have puo yi pi wu ming(severed a piece of unknown/ignorance, altogether 42 pieces) and one will be out of the 4 noble realms, and one's a Real Buddha. There they will dwell in One True Realm(yi zhen fa jie).
There's a kind of person(bodhisattva), well study, and passing the exam(nirvana) is not a problem for them. But they are really helpful(compassionate) by failing a little (keep a bit of karma)of the test, so as to remain in the class(samsara) in order to help those (sentient beings)that are less studied. If they were to graduate, we(sentient being) will be helpless. This is the Best Bodhisattva/Buddha ideal.
Real Bodhisattvas should be holding Nirvana in control (ie at least a 47th-48th Bhumi/a non-retrogressor). Buddha might not wish that one cannot control nirvana and retrogress for infinity/countless aeons!
It's said Bodhisattva takes 3 Mahakaplas to reach Buddhahood. And it's from the 1st to the last 52th stage! And if were to count before the 1st stage will mean countless kalpas, due to the fact of retrogression!
In terms of 52 stages of bodhisattva: It'll take 1 Mahakalpa to reach from 1st stage to 40th stage! And 1 Mahakalpa to reach 47th stage. 1 more Mahakalpa to reach 51 stage. (The higher the harder it goes)
so to speak.
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do not distort the teachings ,it is also for mahayanaOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:37 Prerequisites of Enlightenment? (37 Dao Ping) I have read about all of them before... in fa yu bing fen book written by my master. It is the path to Nirvana, but not necessarily means the path to Buddhahood. You can find it in Theravada too.
and it is given by sakyamuni Buddha ,do not post when you have the slightest idea of u are malicing the Buddhadharma
like many have said ,if you know
have ze fa fen(the stage of choosing a practice ) u wont anyhow said anything -
Whether or not the path is the way to Buddhahood depends on how the person practise it, isn't it? Like I said, 37 prerequisites of enlightenment is the path to Nirvana, but no Bodhicitta, still cannot attain Buddhahood.Originally posted by bohiruci:do not distort the teachings ,it is also for mahayana
and it is given by sakyamuni Buddha ,do not post when you have the slightest idea of u are malicing the Buddhadharma
like many have said ,if you know
have ze fa fen(the stage of choosing a practice ) u wont anyhow said anything
Hope this clear things up -
You are right that 37 prerequisites of enlightenment, including the 8 fold path, can be found in all orthodox Buddhist traditions.
You have made a good distinction between the Nikaya & non-Nikaya but what do all these different traditions have in common that makes them Buddhist? There are a number of factors that all orthodox Buddhist schools share. The Buddha outlined 37 factors which he considered prerequisites to enlightenment. They are known in the Pali Canon as the bodhi-pakkhiya-dhamma, the Wings to Awakening. As they are common to the Foundational Vehicle (The Dalai Lama now uses "Foundational Vehicle" in preference to "Hinayana" which has derogatory connotations) & the other schools it not incorrect to say that the other schools are based on the Foundational Vehicle. These factors are what distinguish Buddhism from other religions. -
first . let me put a gentle note , not flaming u or watOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:Whether or not the path is the way to Buddhahood depends on how the person practise it, isn't it? Like I said, 37 prerequisites of enlightenment is the path to Nirvana, but no Bodhicitta, still cannot attain Buddhahood.
Hope this clear things up
i dun carry a lighter
according to ven shin hong ,our MCK disciple
he said Chinese Mahayana not stressing much on Bodhicitta
even 6th Patriach and Chan Sect in China
the point is to see your true nature
and u will gain enlightenment
If you just paid more attention to Mahayana scripture ,you will not find alot of reference on making the Bodhi vows
whereas for 52 stage of Bodhisattva
dont quote becos u think it is deep
it is inevitable u will go through the stage ,like every Bodhisattva does
and be tactful becos quoting without understanding will makes some ppl feel
u are out of showy ,and not being sincere in the quoting of Mahayana terminology. -
Originally posted by bohiruci:
From my understandings, Zen, 6th Patriarch, is taking the Sudden Awakening path and not the Gradual path. The 37 prerequisites of enlightenment is a gradual path. However to say that we can totally ignore is also incorrect. Not everyone has the capacity to practise the sudden path, I must say that even I am a gradual person, otherwise I would have been awakened by now, isn't it? However we should not mix them up together.
[b]
first . let me put a gentle note , not flaming u or wat
i dun carry a lighter
according to ven shin hong ,our MCK disciple
he said Chinese Mahayana not stressing much on Bodhicitta
even 6th Patriach and Chan Sect in China
the point is to see your true nature
and u will gain enlightenmentIf you just paid more attention to Mahayana scripture ,you will not find alot of reference on making the Bodhi vows
My purpose for posting the 52 stages of Bodhisattva is not bcos it is chim, but to give people a general understanding of Bodhisattva cultivation, as I have seldom posted anything on Mahayana. I am not a Bodhisattva, so if they want to practise, they should also find a Bodhisattva teacher.
whereas for 52 stage of Bodhisattva
dont quote becos u think it is deep Anyway I don't think it is very chim. It is much more difficult to put them into practise. -
By the way, if you have an english version of the 37 chapter, I would appreciate if you post it up on the forums to benefit everyoneOriginally posted by bohiruci:the 52 stage of a Bodhisattva is too deep
maybe u will like to know about the gradual steps
in Mahayana we have from the 37 chapter of practice
4 noble truth ,
noble eightfold paths
7 bodhi branch
5 root
5 energy
and so on ...care to continue on that
A bodhisattva can be any ordinary person on the road.... -
oh no, Sorry, big Correction:Originally posted by sinweiy:It's said Bodhisattva takes 3 Mahakaplas to reach Buddhahood. And it's from the 1st to the last 52th stage! And if were to count before the 1st stage will mean countless kalpas, due to the fact of retrogression!
In terms of 52 stages of bodhisattva: It'll take 1 Mahakalpa to reach from 1st stage to 40th stage! And 1 Mahakalpa to reach 47th stage. 1 more Mahakalpa to reach 51 stage. (The higher the harder it goes)
From Yuan Jiao(Complete teaching) it's say that "Bodhisattva takes 3 Great Asamkhyeyas to reach Buddhahood" is actually counted from 11st Dwelling to 51th Samyaksambodhi (Absolute Universal Enlightenment).
1st Asamkhyeya to cultivate from 11st Dwelling to 40th Transference stage.
2nd Asamkhyeya to cultivate from 41st Stage to 47th Stage.
3rd Asamkhyeya to cultivate from 48th Stage to 51th Samyaksambodhi (Absolute Universal Enlightenment).
51th Samyaksambodhi (Absolute Universal Enlightenment) to lastly the Wonderful Enlightenment, might take a least 1 more Asamkhyeya!
And before all this, it is countless Asamkhyeya(10^59), due to retrogression.
ref
http://bj2.netsh.com/bbs/61756/27/16735.html
http://asp.6to23.com/xhmy/xfyd/sljz/jxj-39.htm
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Originally posted by sinweiy:
Wow, thanks for the correction.. hope everyone will quickly attain Enlightenment!
oh no, Sorry, big Correction:
From Yuan Jiao(Complete teaching) it's say that "Bodhisattva takes 3 [b]Great Asamkhyeyas to reach Buddhahood" is actually counted from 11st Dwelling to 51th Samyaksambodhi (Absolute Universal Enlightenment).
1st Asamkhyeya to cultivate from 11st Dwelling to 40th Transference stage.
2nd Asamkhyeya to cultivate from 41st Stage to 47th Stage.
3rd Asamkhyeya to cultivate from 48th Stage to 51th Samyaksambodhi (Absolute Universal Enlightenment).
51th Samyaksambodhi (Absolute Universal Enlightenment) to lastly the Wonderful Enlightenment, might take a least 1 more Asamkhyeya!
And before all this, it is countless Asamkhyeya(10^59), due to retrogression.
ref
http://bj2.netsh.com/bbs/61756/27/16735.html
http://asp.6to23.com/xhmy/xfyd/sljz/jxj-39.htm
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[/b] -
Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Wow, thanks for the correction.. hope everyone will quickly attain Enlightenment!
can. Seek Amitabha PL.Moreover, Shariputra, the living beings born in the Land of Utmost Happiness are all avaivartika. Among them are many who in this very life will dwell in Buddhahood. Their number is extremely many; it is incalculable. And only in measureless, limitless asamkyeyas of kalpas could they be counted. --Amitabha Sutra
avaivartika = non-retrogressor = 8th Bhumi (aka 48th stage/ground!).
one straight away start from 8th Bhumi to buddhahood. before that, Amitabha Buddha had took care of it already.
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I think that is when the lotus flower opens and they see Amitabha and realise non-birth.Originally posted by sinweiy:avaivartika = non-retrogressor = 8th Bhumi (aka 48th stage/ground!).
one straight away start from 8th Bhumi to buddhahood. before that, Amitabha Buddha had took care of it already.
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If their pure land grade is lower, it is a very very long time before they will see Amitabha... -
lowest inferior grade in Amitabha's PL will take 12 great kalpas. that's very rare for evil commitors. up a level, the medium inferior grade take just 6 kalpas. and up another level, higher inferior grade take seven weeks.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:I think that is when the lotus flower opens and they see Amitabha and realise non-birth.
If their pure land grade is lower, it is a very very long time before they will see Amitabha...
still, kalpa(jie) compare with asamkhyeya(Ah sheng qi jie)10^59 is still very far apart."The sentient beings in the highest level of the lowest grade of rebirth are those who have committed myriad evil acts.......After seven weeks, the lotus flower opens. .....
http://www.cloudwater.org/visualization.html#The%20Lowest%20Grade
"These are called the sentient beings in the highest level of the lowest grade of rebirth....After six aeons pass, the lotus flowers unfold. ...(snip)...
"The sentient beings in the lowest level of the lowest grade of rebirth are those who commit such evil acts as the five grave offenses and the ten transgressions, and are burdened with various kinds of evil. ....."After twelve great aeons the lotus flower opens...---Comtemplation Sutra
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I did some contemplation on this and this is what I feel:
Avaivartika means non-retrogression. This means everyone who is reborned in Pure Land will not fall back to Samsara as a Sentient Being, but only with the possibility of going back to Samsara as a Bodhisattva (cheng yuan zai lai).
I do not think Avaivartika in this case should be equated to whichever bhumi stages, because Pure Land is special - even lower grades are already non-retrogression. This applies to everyone - even those who are still in Lotus flower and have not seen Amitabha nor realised Non-birth yet. If beings who have not realised Non-birth can be considered as 8th Bhumi, then I think something is really wrong.
Sorry if you disagree with my interpretation, but this is how I see it -
There are 84000 dharma doors, each suited to different people of different capacity. The good thing about Pure Land practise is that it is open to everyone - even those with low capacity may attain Pure Land birth.
So if I am not able to be freed from Birth and Death, then I may have to resort to seek Pure Land birth.
I still wish however, that I may attain enlightenment within this lifetime. This is my personal path and not all may share the same wish. As my Master said, everyone of us can realise our innate Amitabha nature and "the flower [symbolising wisdom] opens and we can see our innate Amitabha nature", once we realise non-birth and see Amitabha nature, we can go Pure Land without relying of other-power.
However, he says, if a person cannot rely on self-power then the person should rely on other-power. There are many cases of successful pure land births that I heard from my master. More people reborn in Pure Land [relying on other power], but a few people with high capacity have entered 'ji guang jing tu' (remember I mentioned about a person who died in car accident, did not fall into lower realms but instead entered ji guang jing tu? he had many shariras and relics)
note for those who are not familiar with the terms: self-power means relying your own cultivation and practise, other-power means relying on the vows of amitabha -
from MCK, pls read or search to read ”ª’n:Originally posted by An Eternal Now:I did some contemplation on this and this is what I feel:
Avaivartika means non-retrogression. This means everyone who is reborned in Pure Land will not fall back to Samsara as a Sentient Being, but only with the possibility of going back to Samsara as a Bodhisattva (cheng yuan zai lai).
I do not think Avaivartika in this case should be equated to whichever bhumi stages, because Pure Land is special - even lower grades are already non-retrogression. This applies to everyone - even those who are still in Lotus flower and have not seen Amitabha nor realised Non-birth yet. If beings who have not realised Non-birth can be considered as 8th Bhumi, then I think something is really wrong.
Sorry if you disagree with my interpretation, but this is how I see it
http://www.bj.netsh.com/bbs/94063/104/31381.html
http://www.wanfusi.org/article/books/0329.htm
from what i know, there are 3 kind of non-retrogress/Avaivartika which are the non-retrogress of Position, Practice & Thought. (however there are 5 in the link)
Attainment of Arahathood achieve the non-retrogress of Position as they will not go return back to the 6 realms, yet their Practice & Thought goes up and down.
However Bodhisattva up to the 7th bhumi achieve the non-retrogress of Position and Practice, but their thoughts still go back somtimes. Not until they reached the 8th bhumi then will their Thought stop retrogress. 8th bhumi = Bu Tong Di, Unmovable station.
Attain Amitabha PL is yuan zhen shan bu tui(Attain all 3 kind of non-retrogress.
cheng yuan zai lai can also be a yuan zhen shan bu tui.
Amitabha PL is indeed unconcievable.
Let's look at Amitabha Sutra:QUOTE
Since the number of living beings who had attain Buddhahood in Amitabha PL are more than those that are not. And that Amitabha realized Buddhahood, ten kalpas ago. thus for the first kalpa, beings had all attain Buddhahood. So is the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth kalpa, in order to be more. From this we can conclude that Beings only need about 3 to 4 kalpas to attain Buddhahood in Amitabha PL!!
"Moreover, Shariputra, those living beings born in the land of Ultimate Bliss are all Avaivartika. Among them are many who in this very life will dwell in Buddhahood. Their number is extremely many. It is incalculable and only in measureless, limitless Asankhyeya kalpas could it be spoken."
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Attain Amitabha PL is yuan zhen shan bu tui(Attain all 3 kind of non-retrogress.
Does staying in the lotus mean attain Amitabha PL? -
I cannot see your Chinese word because sgForums does not allow that.
But I found a part.. on the Bu Tui section on http://www.bj.netsh.com/bbs/94063/104/31381.html
it says: Chu Bu Tui means attaining birth in Pure Land, not returning. Therefore Pure Land retrogression means this. -
Addition:
[12] "Shariputra, why do you think this teaching is called 'the Sutra of
Protection by All Buddhas'? Shariputra, all good men and women who hear
the Name of Amida Buddha expounded by all the Buddhas and the name of
this sutra1) are protected by all the Buddhas and dwell in the Stage of
Non-retrogression for realizing the highest, perfect Enlightenment. This is
why, Shariputra, you should accept my words and the teachings of all the
Buddhas.
"Shariputra, those who have already aspired, now aspire or in the future will
aspire to be born in Amida Buddha's land, all dwell in the Stage of
Non-retrogression for realizing the highest, perfect Enlightenment. They have
already been born, are now being born, or will be born in that land. Hence,
Shariputra, good men and women of faith should aspire to birth there.
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In this case, it means non-retrogression for realising Buddhahood, which is true.
Because beings in Pure Land will not seek samsaric ways again (nor be reborned in samsara as a lost sentient being) -
yes,Originally posted by An Eternal Now:Attain Amitabha PL is yuan zhen shan bu tui(Attain all 3 kind of non-retrogress.
Does staying in the lotus mean attain Amitabha PL?
'Attain Amitabha PL', i mean attaining rebirth in Amitabha PL.
So even if in the lotus, there's no condition for our thoughts to retrogress. Our thoughts of attaining Buddhahood only go up due to the Dharma preaching environment of Amitabha PL, and never will the beings think of desire and hatred. hence the Amitabha vow 1 also say, there's no 3 lower realms.
as for the second link:The Bodhisattva Maitreya said to the Buddha, "World-Honored One, how many non-retrogressive bodhisattvas are there in this world who will be born in that Buddha-land?"
http://www.anzwers.org/free/chinkung/largersutra1.html
The Buddha replied, "Sixty-seven kotis of non-retrogressive bodhisattvas from this world will be born there. --Infinity Life Sutra
what's non-retrogressive bodhisattvas ? It's 8th bhumi.
oso another link:
http://v168.anyp.cn/050523014953375/articles/050523155645968.aspx?z=520356&m=955964
the lowest inferior is also a non-retrogressive bodhisattva.
that say which is the most wonderful among the 4 abodes in Amitabha PL. it's not really Ji guang jing tu, of coz Ji guang jing tu is good. but it's actually the 1st abode of ordinary people and saint living together(fan shen tong ju tu) that is most unique! As fan shen tong ju tu is able to link with Ji guang jing tu. it's inconcievable. that mean beings in fan shen tong ju tu although their karma is still intact, yet they enjoy the abilities of 8th bhumi!
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