People of Different Levels Have Their Respective Dharma

After attaining mind enlightenment, one becomes a true Mahayana Bodhisattva. If the mind's nature has not been genuinely transformed before enlightenment, lacking the qualified mind-nature of a Mahayana Bodhisattva, it becomes difficult or even impossible to become a true Mahayana Bodhisattva. A Bodhisattva should possess the character of a Bodhisattva, a human should possess human character, and a Buddha should possess the character of a Buddha; their mind-nature should correspond to their respective fruition levels. This is the norm. Otherwise, they are false Bodhisattvas or false Buddhas. Those who lack human character are not complete humans, not truly human in the meaningful sense.

Bodhisattvas learn from Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout the ten directions over countless kalpas. The correct parts of their teachings belong to the Dharma of the ten-direction Buddhas, while the erroneous parts belong to their own incomplete cultivation and realization. The Dharma cannot be attributed solely to any single Buddha, much less to any particular Bodhisattva, and ordinary beings certainly cannot possess the Dharma. Those who possess the Buddha Dharma are Buddhas, those who possess the Bodhisattva Dharma are Bodhisattvas, and those who possess the ordinary being's dharma are ordinary beings. Individuals at each level possess their respective dharmas. Therefore, everyone should resolve with great determination to fully attain the Buddha Dharma as soon as possible, thereby achieving Buddhahood swiftly.

Regarding the observation of Dharma, the Buddha's realization is the most ultimate. Even the post-enlightenment observation of Bodhisattvas cannot be completely ultimate, as their degree is insufficient. Thus, the realization of Bodhisattvas is divided into countless levels; it is impossible to instantly realize all dharmas or to attain the most thorough realization. Bodhisattvas differ in merit, meditative concentration, and wisdom, leading to different levels of realization. At a certain point, if a Bodhisattva does not cultivate the Four Dhyanas and Eight Samadhis, further dharmas cannot be realized, imposing limitations. The vast majority of Buddha Dharma is realized through extremely profound meditative concentration.

Some people insist on denying the role of meditative concentration. Without cultivating meditative concentration, a Bodhisattva's progress on the path cannot advance; they become stuck at a certain stage or level, unable to proceed. Subtle and extremely subtle dharmas require the support of meditative concentration and spiritual powers to be fully realized. Profound wisdom is also realized through the combined support of extremely deep meditative concentration and spiritual powers.