Summary of the Yogaacaarabhuumi-`saastra

瑜伽師地論

Dan Lusthaus and Charles Muller

[py] Yu2qie2 shi1di4 lun4 [wg] Y"u-ch'ieh shih-ti lun [ko] Yuga saji non [ja] Yuga shiji ron ||| The Yuqie shidi lun; commonly abbreviated as Yuqielun 瑜伽論. The Yogaacaara-bhuumi-`saastra. The "Discourse on the Stages of Concentration Practice." The definitive text of the Yogaacaara 瑜伽行派 school of Buddhism. One hundred fascicles, composed in India between 300 and 350 CE; translated into Chinese by Xuanzang 玄奘 from July 3, 646 to June 11, 648. In East Asia the putative author is thought to be Maitreya 彌勒, but Tibetan tradition considers it to have been composed by Asa`nga 無著.

In the process of explaining the spiritual states, practices and fruits incurred in the course of the seventeen stages leading to Buddhahood, the text delves deeply into discussions of fundamental Yogaacaara concepts such as the aalaya-vij~naana 阿賴耶識, three natures (trisvabhaava) 三自性 and three non-natures (trini.hsvabhaava) 三無自性, seeds (biijaa) 種子, perfumation (vaasanaa) 熏習, the two hindrances (aavara.na) 二障 and mind only (vij~napti-maatra, vij~naana-maatra) 唯識. The text has five major divisions: the first division, which comprises about half the treatise is called the "main stages division" (bahubhuumika) 本地分 and contains seventeen sections, each describing one of the successive seventeen stages, or bhuumis. These are (as found in Xuanzang's 100 fascicles):

[Initial Phenomenology]

(1) The stage of the five consciousnesses associated with the body - pa~nca-vij~naana-kaaya-sa.mprayukta-bhuumi 五識身相應地. (First fascicle)
(2) The stage of mental intent - mano-bhuumi 意地. (fascicles 1-3)

[Dhyaana Levels]

(3) The stage of (initial meditative) investigation and analysis - savitarkaa-savicaraa-bhuumi) 有尋有伺. (fascicles 4-10; note Xuanzang includes the next two bhuumis within the title of this bhuumi)
(4) The stage of analysis without investigation - avitarka- savicaraa-bhuumi 無尋唯伺地.
(5) The stage of neither investigation nor analysis - avitarka-avicaaraa-bhuumi 無尋無伺地.
(6) The stage of samaahita (thought "collected" in meditation) - samaahita-bhuumi 三摩呬多地. (fascicles 11-13)
(7) The stage of non-samaahita - asamaahita-bhuumi 非三摩呬多地. (fascicle 13)
(8) The stage with mind - sacittaka-bhuumi 心地. (fascicle 13)
(9) The stage without mind - acittaka-bhuumi 無心地. (fascicle 13)

 

[Hearing, Thinking, Cultivation]

(10) The stage of actualizing what one has heard (i.e., the teachings) - `srutamayii-bhuumii 聞所成地. (fascicles 13-15)
This deals with the five fields of knowledge, pa~nca-vidyaa 五明:

1. 'Inner knowledge,' adhyaatma-vidyaa 內明 (i.e., the truths of Buddhism);
2. medicine, cikitsaa-vidyaa 藥明;
3. logic, hetu-vidyaa 因明;
4. grammar and language, `sabda-vidyaa 聲明; and
5. the arts, `silpakarma-vidyaa 工巧.

(11) The stage of actualizing what one has thought (about the teachings) - cintaamayii-bhuumi 思所成地. (fascicles 16-19)
(12) The state of actualizing what one has practiced - bhaavanaa-bhuumi  修所成地. (fascicle 20)

[`Sraavaka-bhuumi]

(13) The stage of the `Sraavaka - `sraavaka-bhuumi 聲聞地. (fascicles 21-34, divided as follows)
(13a) The types and natures of the first Yoga Capacity 初瑜伽處種性地 (fascicle 21)
(13b) Interest to Enter the first Yoga Capacity 初瑜伽處趣入地 (fascicle 21)
(13c) Going beyond the first Yoga Capacity 初瑜伽處出離地 (fascicles 22-25)
(13d) The second Yoga Capacity 第二瑜伽處 (fascicles 26-29)
(13e) The third Yoga Capacity 第三瑜伽處 (fascicles 30-32)
(13f) The fourth Yoga Capacity 第四瑜伽處 (fascicles 33-34)

 

[Pratyekabuddha-bhuumi]

(14) The stage of the Pratyekabuddha - pratyekabuddha-bhuumi 獨覺地. (fascicle 35

 

[Bodhisattva-bhuumi]

(15) The stage of Bodhisattva - bodhisattva-bhuumi 菩薩地. (fascicles 35-50)
Its subdivisions are:

 

[1st Bodhisattva Section]

(15a) First taking hold of Yogic Capacities (aayatana) 初持瑜伽處 (fascicles 35-46):

(15a.1) Chapter on Their Types and Natures - gotra種性品 (fascicle35)
(15a.2) Chapter on (arousing the) Mind (aspiriing to Bodhi) - prathama-cittopaada 心品 (fascicle 35)
(15a.3) Chapter on Benefiting Self and Others - svaparaartha 自他利品 (fascicles 35-36)
(15a.4) Chapter on the Realities Referred to (by these capacities) tattvaartha 實真義品 (fascicle 36)
(15a.5) Chapter on Awesome Power - prabhaava 威力品 (fascicle 37)
(15a.6) Chapter on Bodhi 菩提品 (fascicle 38)
(15a.7) Chapter on the Power [affecting] types of Births - balagotra 力種生 (fascicle 38)

[Six Paaramitaas]

(15a.8) Chapter on Giving (daana) 施品 (fascicle 39)
(15.a.9) Chapter on Behavioral Discipline (`siila) 戒品 (fascicles 40-42)
(15a.10) Chapter on Forebearance (k.saanti) 忍品 (fascicle 42)
(15a.11) Chapter on Vigor (viirya) 精進品 (fascicle 42)
(15a.12) Chapter on Quieting Mental Anxiety 靜慮品
(15a.13) Chapter on Insight (praj~naa) 慧 (fascicle 43)

[1st level Bodhisattva Miscellania]

(15a.14) Chapter on Select Topics 攝事品 (fascicle 43)
(15a.15) Chapter on Giving Unlimited Offerings to those near and far 供養親近無量品 (fascicle 44)
(15a.16) Chapter on Divisions of Bodhi 菩提分品 (fascicles 44-46)
Bodhisattva follows good or bad inherent abilities and good or bad cognitive bases
(15a.17) Chapter on the Qualities (gu.naa.h) of a Bodhisattva 菩薩功德品 (fascicle 46)
Ten Basic Qualities (in the pursuit of Unexcelled Complete Awakening):

1. Inherent Capacity - gotra-stha 種性（= 姓）
2. Entry - avatiir.na 入
3. Intention not yet Purified - a`suddhaa`saya 未凈意
4. Intention Purified - `suddhaa`saya 凈意樂
5. Not yet Matured - aparipakva 未成熟
6. Already Matured - paripakva 已成熟
7. Undetermined (i.e., still capable of backsliding) - aaniyati-patita 未墮決定
8. Determined (i.e., incapable of backsliding) - niyati-patita 已墮決定
9. Bound to One (more) birth - eka-jaati-pratibandha 一生所繫
10. Final Body - carama-bhavika 最後身

This chapter offers multiple lists of practices for the benefit of other sentient beings, such as:

1. When the Bodhisattva gives rise to the Thought (cittotpaada 發心) vowing to attain Great Bodhi (bodhicitta 大菩提), he benefits all sentient beings by giving rise to an Equalizing Mind.
2. Bodhisattva's mind sympathizes (with the suffering) of all sentient beings equally.
3. Bodhisattva's mind loves all sentient beings as if each were his only son.
4. Knowing the dispositions of one sentient being, he knows all, helping all.
5. Benefitting one sentient being, he benefits all equally.

There are ten types of aayatanas (meditative capacities):

1. Capacity to fully detach from bad sa.mskaaras 遠離惡行處
2. Capacity to fully detach from desires 遠離諸欲處
3. Capacity to become fully engrossed without transgression 專精無犯，犯已能出處
4. Capacity to secretly guard all the sensory faculties 密護一切諸根門處
5. Capacity to abide in correct knowledge 正知住處
6. Capacity to detach from troubles and anxieties 離憒鬧處
7. Capacity to fully detach, detaching from all bad meditative reflections 於遠離處，遠離惡尋思處
8. Capacity to fully detach from obstacles 遠離障處
9. Capacity to fully detach from being wrapped up in kle`sa (mental disturbances) 遠離一切煩惱纏處
10. Capacity to fully detach from all kle`sas and the crude barriers (dau.s.tulya)
遠離一切諸煩惱品諸麤重處

In this chapter Asa`nga also offers a numerical list of 'truths':

1. One truth, without a second.
2. Two Truths, vyavahaara and paramaartha
3. Three Truths: characteristic, language and function 相諦，語諦，用諦
4. Four Noble Truths
5. Five Truths: truth of cause, truth of effect, truth of wisdom, truth of a sense-object, best truth hetu 因諦， phala 果諦， praj~naa 智諦， vi.saya 境諦，勝諦. Etc., (up to Ten truths).

 

[2nd Bodhisattva Section]

(15b) Second, Taking Hold of Yogic Capacities by Following the Dharma (fascicles 47-48) 第二持隨法瑜伽處

(15b.1) Chapter on Characteristics of a Bodhisattva - bodhisattva-lak.sa.na 菩薩相品 (fascicle 47)
(15b.2) Chapter on Divisions (of Bodhisattvas) 分品 (fascicle 47)

Divides Bodhisattvas into laity and clerics, both of whom can realize Unexcelled Complete Awakening (anuttara-samyak-sa.mbodhi).

(15b.3) Chapter on Increasing the Intent (for Buddha-fruit) 增上意樂 *adhipati-adhyaa`saya (fascicle 47)

Bodhisattva purifies his intent through understanding and improving his karmic condition.

(15b.4) Chapter on (types of meditative) Abodes 住品 avasthaana (fascicles 47-48)

Detailed discussion of the Twelve types of Meditative Abodes (plus an additional Abode only for Buddhas):

1。 Abode of Inherent Capacities in one's present life - gotra-stha-avasthaana 種性（= 姓）住
2. Abode of Practicing with Confident Resolve - adhimok.sa 勝解行住
3. Joyous Abode 極歡喜住

[`Siila Samaadhi Praj~naa]

4. Abode of Increasing Behavioral Discipline - adhi-`siila 增上戒住
5. Abode of Increasing Mind (=samaadhi) - adhi-citta 增上心住

(6-8. Abodes of Increasing Wisdom - adhi-praj~naa 增上慧住)

6. Abode of Increasing Wisdom associated with Awakening 覺分相應增上慧住 (practicing the 37 Bodhipak.sya dharmaa.h)
7. Abode of Increasing Wisdom associated with the truths 諸諦相應增上慧住 (Realization of the Four Noble Truths)
8. Abode of Increasing Wisdom associated with bringing future lives in the samsaric flow of conditioned arising to an end 緣起流轉止息相應增上慧住

[Abodes without Characterisitcs]

9. Abode Without Characteristics, [achieved through] Preliminary Practice (prayoga) and Diligent Implementation (abhisa.mskaara), [so as to] advance on the Way without interruption or impairment, 有加行有功用無間缺道運轉無相住

Knowing "the Suchness of all dharmas with nondiscriminative wisdom" 於一切法真如無分別慧

10. Abode Without Characteristics, [achieved instantaneously] without Preliminary Practice or Diligent Implementation, [so as to] advance on the Way without interruption or impairment 無加行無功用無間缺道運轉無相住

Bodhisattva, "after much practice in the previous Abodes, spontaneously advances without interruption, without impairment"

[Highest Abodes]

11. Adode of Understanding Without Obstructions 無礙解住 (With good, pure, immovable wisdom, the Bodhisattva "attains Great Bodhi.")
12. Abode of the Highest Fulfillment of a Bodhisattva 最上成滿菩薩住
(Completion of the Path; Anuttara-samyak-sa.mbodhi 阿耨多羅三藐三菩提.

"Maybe has one more life to live, or this may be the last one.... He is able to do what Buddhas can do.")

[Tathaagata's Abode]

13. Tathaagatas occupy a "thirteenth" Abode.

"Past all the Bodhisattva Abodes, Awakening to the Great Bodhi Abode, he attains the Final Tathaagata Abode 最後如來住者, the last Yogic Capacity 於後究竟瑜伽處, the final thing to be established 建立品." Asa`nga also suggests that all who attain the twelfth Abode will eventually reach this one.

 

[3rd Bodhisattva Section]

(15c) Third, taking hold of the final Yogic Capacities 第三持究竟瑜伽處 (fascicles 48-50)

(15c.1) Chapter on Births 生品 (fascicle 48)

On the five types of birth in the Final Yoga Abode:

1. Born to Do Away with Calamities 除災生
2. Born According to Type (of previous existence or practice) 隨類生
3. Born into Great Authority 大勢生
4. Birth as an Improvement (over last life) 增上生
5. Final Birth 最後生

 

(15c.2) Chapter on Gathering and Receiving (Sentient Beings to Buddhism) 攝受品 (fascicle 48)
(15c.3) Chapter on Stages (bhuumi) 地品 (fascicle 49)

(Redefines terms from earlier chapters, such as 15a.17, Chapter on the Qualities of a Bodhisattva)

(15c.4) Chapter on Practices 行品 (fascicle 49)

"In all the Bodhisattva paths, from beginning to end, there are, in reality, only four practices":

1. Practice of the Paaramitaas 波羅密多行
2. Practice of the 37 Bodhiparik.sya dharmaa.h 菩提分法行
3. Practice of the Abhij~naa 神通行
4. Practice of (bringing all) Sentient Beings to Maturity 成熟有情行

 

(15c.5) Chapter on Establishing 建立品 (fascicle 49)

On the One Hundred Forty Special dharmas of a Tathaagata: 32 Marks of a Great Person; 80 minor marks; 4 types of purity; 10 powers; 4 Fearlessnesses; 3 anusm.rtis; etc.

(15c.6) Chapter on the Established 立品 (fascicle 50)

 

[4th Bodhisattva Section]

 

(15d) Fourth, taking hold of the Successive Order of Yogic Capacities 第四持次第瑜伽處 (fascicle 50)

(15d.1) Chapter on the Correct Equalization of the Bodhi Mind 正等菩提心品

[End of Bodhisattva-bhuumi]

 

[Nirvana with and without Remainder]

(16) The stage of (nirvana with) remainder - sopaadhika bhuumi 有餘衣地 (fascicle 50)
(17) The stage of (nirvana with) no remainder - nirupaadhika bhuumi 無餘衣地 (fascicle 50)

[Vini`scaya]

The second division of the text - Vini`scaya ('doctrinal exegesis') 攝決擇分 - comprising fascicles 51-80, is a discussion of the problematic points of the seventeen stages discussed in the prior section. Breakdown by fascicle is as follows:

On "Association of five consciousnesses and body" bhuumi. (fasc. 51-57).
On Vitarka-vicaara bhuumis (fasc. 58-61).
On Samaahita bhuumi (fasc. 62-63).
On `Srutamayii-praj~naa bhuumi. (fasc. 64).
On Cintamayii-praj~naa bhuumi. (fasc. 65-66).
On Bhaavanaa-praj~naa bhuumi. (fasc. 67).
On `Sraavaka-bhuumi. (fasc. 67-71).
On Bodhisattva-bhuumi. (fasc. 72-80).

[*Vyaakhyaana-sa.mgrahanii ]

The third division - *vyaakhyaana-sa.mgrahanii  攝釋分 (fasc. 81-82) - discusses the positions of the various sutras on these points. The preponderance of Sutras cited and discussed are AAgamas, Sanskrit corollaries of the five Nikaayas extant in the Pali canon (Diirgha-aagama, Sa.myutta-aagama, Madhyama-aagama, etc., and especially a no longer extant Sanskrit version of the Udana quite different from the Pali version). Incidentally these AAgamas are the texts he cites throughout the entire
Yogaacaarabhuumi, even in the Bodhisattvabhuumi sections (though he does cite a few Mahaayaana works in those sections, notably the Da`sabhuumika suutra - Sutra on Ten Stages).

[Paryaaya-sa.mgrahinii]

The fourth division - paryaaya-sa.mgrahinii 攝異門分 (fasc. 82-84) - explains the name and meaning of all the dharmas explained in the sutras.

[Vastusa.mgrahanii]

The fifth section - Vastusa.mgrahanii 攝事分 - addresses the key points of the Buddhist teaching as found in the Tripitaka. Fasc. 85-88 deal with sa.mskaaras 行. Fasc. 89-92 deal with aayatanas 處. Fasc. 93-96 deal with pratiitya-samutpaada 緣起食諦界. Fasc. 97-98 deal with Bodhi 菩提.

The last two fascicles (99-100) - included by Xuanzang under the heading of Vastusa.mgrahanii 攝事分中調伏事總擇攝 (Collected Matters: Selected General Matters of Discipline) - discuss rules for behavioral discipline 調伏 (vinaya, damana).

T 1579.30.279-882.