The Bodhisattva's Mind and Conduct: Beyond the Comprehension of Sentient Beings

The conduct of bodhisattvas cannot be fathomed by sentient beings, especially that of bodhisattvas engaged in esoteric practices, whose actions are beyond the comprehension of ordinary beings. For instance, when Shakyamuni Buddha was still a bodhisattva, he once killed a man who intended to murder five hundred bodhisattvas aboard a ship. Knowing this, the Buddha, out of profound compassion, killed the man to prevent him from falling into the Avici Hell for creating such karma, willingly accepting the karmic retribution of descending into hell himself. There are other instances that illustrate the compassionate, skillful, and expedient means employed by buddhas and bodhisattvas to liberate sentient beings, though they cannot all be recounted here, lest beings burdened by heavy afflictions might use them as excuses to commit evil deeds.

To discern whether a person is good or evil, one must not merely observe their outward behavior at a given moment; the primary focus should be on their mental conduct and underlying intentions, examining the purpose behind their actions and the consequences they may bring. Such wisdom is generally beyond ordinary people, but great bodhisattvas possess the discernment to grasp the appropriate measure and timing, skillfully knowing what to adopt or discard and employing expedient means. Sentient beings can only perceive superficial phenomena, failing to grasp the essence or the true purpose behind them. Thus, many matters cannot be explicitly explained by bodhisattvas to sentient beings, for the latter lack the capacity to understand due to their shallow wisdom.

To liberate sentient beings, bodhisattvas conceal themselves among them, assuming forms such as butchers, prostitutes, patrons of brothels, or gamblers, mingling with the multitudes solely to rescue them from the burning pit of birth and death. To save sentient beings, bodhisattvas do not hesitate to defame their own reputation, endure misunderstandings and misinterpretations from others, or pay any price necessary. How many can truly perceive the compassionate, enduring, and burden-bearing heart of a bodhisattva?