Tag Archives: first bhūmi

The Third Vajra-point pays homage to the Noble (Ārya) Bodhisattvas. There are two types of sangha—one bearing the features of ordinary beings the other bearing the auspicious mark of the Tathagatas—or self-realized beings. Ordinary beings, i.e., worldlings or the puthujjana are blinded by obscurations that prevent them from entering the path of the Self-realized Noble Ones. The Ratna in this Vajra-point is describing the latter whose mind is blessed with discerning the true import of the Buddhadharma. Once again this is presented with the specified-format of paying direct homage to these Blessed Self-realized Ones by highlighting their salient characteristics. Then it enumerates the eight qualities of the Noble-Sangha. read more