Why Should a Bodhisattva Not Abide in Forms When Generating Bodhicitta?

Original Text: A bodhisattva should be free from all appearances. They should generate the mind of anuttara-samyak-sambodhi. They should not dwell on forms to generate the mind, nor dwell on sounds, scents, tastes, tactile sensations, or mental objects to generate the mind. They should generate a mind that abides nowhere. If the mind abides anywhere, it is not true abiding. Therefore, the Buddha says that the mind of a bodhisattva should not abide in forms when practicing giving. Subhuti, for the benefit of all sentient beings, a bodhisattva should give in this way.

Explanation: The Buddha says that a bodhisattva should be free from all appearances, generate the mind of anuttara-samyak-sambodhi, not dwell on forms to generate the mind, nor dwell on scents, tastes, tactile sensations, or mental objects to generate the mind. When generating the bodhi mind, they should give rise to a mind that abides nowhere. If the mind abides anywhere, it is improper abiding, not true abiding. Therefore, the Buddha says that the mind of a bodhisattva should not abide in forms when practicing giving. Subhuti, for the benefit of all sentient beings, a bodhisattva should give in this way.

Why should a bodhisattva be free from all appearances when generating the bodhi mind? Because generating the bodhi mind is for the benefit of oneself and others, to achieve Buddhahood together with sentient beings, reach the other shore of Nirvana, attain tranquil coolness, and abide in the state of emptiness. To realize such a state and attain such a realm, one must realize the true reality of the vajra mind and simultaneously realize the emptiness of all phenomena manifested by the vajra mind. Since all appearances of phenomena are empty and unobtainable, generating the mind while dwelling on appearances, practicing while dwelling on appearances, or giving while dwelling on appearances are all contrary to the path of Buddhahood. They cannot lead to the realization of bodhi, and neither worldly nor transcendental benefits can be attained. Therefore, when generating the bodhi mind, a bodhisattva should not seek various unobtainable worldly benefits, such as seeking a dignified appearance, seeking wealth and honor, seeking rebirth in heavenly realms to enjoy blessings, seeking supernatural powers, seeking immortality, seeking the admiration of sentient beings, seeking to surpass others, aspiring to become a wheel-turning sage king, or aspiring to become a heavenly lord, etc. All these involve dwelling on forms, sounds, scents, tastes, tactile sensations, or mental objects. They cannot fulfill the great vow of bodhi nor accomplish the great path of bodhi.

If a bodhisattva's generated mind dwells on such appearances of phenomena, such so-called abiding is improper abiding, not in accordance with the truth. The results are illusory and unobtainable; even the abiding cannot be truly achieved. Therefore, when practicing giving, a bodhisattva should not dwell on forms, sounds, scents, tastes, tactile sensations, or mental objects. Without clinging to appearances and without seeking rewards, such giving is paramita, capable of reaching the other shore of Nirvana.