Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

1. In the first stage, bodhisattvas are very skilled in the
practice of patient understanding, and by this they
realize that the true nature of dharmas is that they are
non-born or non-produced. But they cannot rid
themselves as yet of committing subtle faults, and these
blemishes may sometimes occur in spite of their exalted
state. The first-stage bodhisattvas should practice
sunyata further, as they have not thoroughly identified
the whole mind with the energies. Their right view is
developed, but many small aspects of conduct are yet to
be perfected.
2. With right recognition and the careful performance of
everything they do, bodhisattvas may rid themselves of
the small blemishes. At the second stage, they lack,
however, equanimity in sunyata regarding worldly
matters, nor do they know the dharanis. They should
make more progress.
3. At this stage bodhisattvas can hold the equanimity
mentioned above and have obtained the dharanis but
still cling to a fine attachment to the Dharma. They
should release themselves by further practice of sunyata
meditations, so that they may progress to the next stage.
4. Here bodhisattvas are able to renounce their love of
the Dharma, but hold to practice of samapatti on the
Dharma-nature. Sometimes they fear birth-and-death
and are still afraid of two extremes: the loss of nirvana
and falling into samsara, and that nirvana is too far
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