2.2.2.1.1.4. THE EXPLANATION OF THE RADIANT (Archiṣhmati, Ö Trowa/’od ‘phro ba)
2.2.2.1.1.4.1. The concise teaching on its essence by way of the preeminence of diligence
2.2.2.1.1.4.2. The teaching on the name, meaning, and qualities of the ground
2.2.2.1.1.4.1. THE CONCISE TEACHING ON ITS ESSENCE BY WAY OF THE PREEMINENCE OF DILIGENCE
All good qualities without exception follow after diligence,
The cause of the accumulations of both merit and knowledge.
The ground on which diligence blazes
Is the fourth, The Radiant. (4.1)
This verse describes the fourth bodhichitta generation, showing how, over and above the first three perfections, diligence (vīrya, tsöndrü/brtson ’grus) is preeminent on this ground. All good qualities without exception, whether mundane or transcendent, follow after diligence and do not arise without it, because if one has no delight in virtuous activity, it is impossible to engage in generosity and the other virtues. Furthermore, if one has such delight, one will attain the virtuous qualities one has not attained while expanding those one has already attained. Since diligence is the cause for the accumulations of both merit and knowledge,178 the ground on which diligence blazes and becomes preeminent is the fourth bodhisattva ground, the one called The Radiant.
2.2.2.1.1.4.2. THE TEACHING ON THE NAME, MEANING, AND QUALITIES OF THE GROUND
2.2.2.1.1.4.2.1. The name and meaning of the qualities of realization
2.2.2.1.1.4.2.2. The teaching on the qualities of relinquishment
2.2.2.1.1.4.2.1. THE NAME AND MEANING OF THE QUALITIES OF REALIZATION
On this ground, for the children of the Sugata
There dawns a brilliance surpassing the glow of copper,
Born from especially cultivating the factors of perfect enlightenment. (4.2abc)
On this, the fourth, ground, for the children of the Sugata there dawns the brilliance of wisdom that surpasses the glow of copper, an example that was explained previously179 and is used again here. This wisdom is born from especially cultivating the dharmas of the thirty-seven factors of perfect enlightenment.180 Therefore, since on this ground light from the fire of wisdom radiates, it is called The Radiant.
2.2.2.1.1.4.2.2. THE TEACHING ON THE QUALITIES OF RELINQUISHMENT
Everything connected with the views of “me” and “mine” is completely exhausted. (4.2d)
This completes the fourth bodhichitta generation from The Entrance to the Middle Way.
On this ground, not only does wisdom arise due to cultivating the factors of enlightenment, additionally, all clinging to concepts of a creator as an external person—concepts that are connected to the views of “me” and “mine” (the self and entities connected to the self)—are completely exhausted.
This completes the explanation of the fourth bodhichitta generation, The Radiant, from the Entrance to the Middle Way.