Evil Karmas Easily Committed by Pre-bhūmi Bodhisattvas

Before attaining the first bhūmi, bodhisattvas have not yet eliminated afflictions; mild afflictions may still sometimes manifest. In serious cases, they may even commit relatively grave unwholesome karma. Such grave unwholesome karma is generally related to the cultivation and realization of the Buddha-dharma; grave unwholesome karma in worldly matters is generally no longer committed—for example, things like killing and arson. Even those who have not eliminated the self-view would not commit such grave unwholesome karma, nor would people who do not study Buddhism.

The grave unwholesome karma that bodhisattvas before the first bhūmi are relatively prone to committing is roughly: altering the object and course of the Buddha's cultivation and realization, expounding dharma meanings that are not the Buddha's intent, distorting the Buddha's teachings, and thereby harming the Dharmakāya and the wisdom-life of sentient beings, and so on. There is also mutual contention over certain things; jealousy still exists, and they may still commit some acts of slander.

On this point, several Buddhist sūtras record the causes, conditions, and karmic retribution of unwholesome karma committed by bodhisattvas—and the retribution was extremely severe.