Illuminating the Intent

“Entering the cessation” refers here to entering into absorption of the perfect endpoint [i.e., emptiness].

So thusness (tathatā) is referred to here as “cessation,” the point being that during an ārya’s meditative equipoise [on emptiness], all perceptions of dualistic elaboration come to an end within the sphere of thusness.

The Ten Grounds Sutra, for example, states:

So the bodhisattva who abides on the seventh bodhisattva ground enters and exits from cessation even within a single instance of a mind moment.

This is not to say, however, that he has actualized cessation.

The manner in which this perfect refinement takes place should be understood on the basis of the reasons explained above in the context of other bodhisattva levels.

It’s on the basis of the superiority of specific facets of the perfection of wisdom itself that the last four perfections are defined.

It’s the dimension that pertains to the thorough discrimination of phenomena that is the perfection of wisdom itself, not in relation to some other facet.

The first six skillful means, those that accomplish the qualities of the buddha, are that (1) bodhisattvas view all sentient beings with compassion, (2) they understand the nature of all mental formations exactly as they are, (3) they desire the unexcelled wisdom of enlightenment, (4) seeking the welfare of sentient beings, they do not forsake cyclic existence, (5) they revolve in cyclic existence not through an afflicted mind but through perfectly understanding the conditioning factors exactly as they are, and (6) their diligence is set ablaze because of their wish to attain buddhahood.

The six skillful means for maturing the minds of other sentient beings are that (1) bodhisattvas help cultivate the minor roots of virtue of sentient beings so that they may produce immeasurable fruits, (2) they help beings plant great roots of virtue with minimal difficulty, (3) they help dispel the anger of those who are hostile toward the Buddha’s teaching, (4) they help those who remain in a neutral state of mind enter the teaching, (5) they help those who have entered the teaching gain maturity, and (6) they help those who have matured attain the true freedom [of liberation].

These together are the twelve skillful means.