A Bodhisattva's Skill in Means

[Shi Da Dao]

(The following extract is taken from Mark Tatz translation of the 'Upayakauslaya', or 'The Skill in Means Sutra' - an early Mahayana writing that emphasises the use of expedient methods to enlighten beings - Pages 38-39.)

'...he is like a seasoned warrior. Armed with sharp weapons concealed in cloth, he sets out to escort a company of travellers. Some sentient beings among them, being ignorant that he knows weaponry, pity the warrior; they think contemptuous thoughts of him, and they say "He has no bow, nor sword, nor arrow, nor any other weapon. He has no companions. He cannot defend this company of travellers. He cannot defend even himself: how can he defend all the travellers and defeata company of bandits? It is impossible. He will end in disaster."

Then the warrior goes into the wilderness. A band of robbers attacks. He ruthlessly arms himself with his weapons. Raising his weapons, he fires them at the bandits and slays them all. Then he puts his weapons away again.

In the same way the Bodhisattva who is skilled in means ruthlessly wields his weapons of the perfection of wisdom in order to bring sentient beings to maturity.

...the Bodhisattva is possessed of skill in means and wisdom and he can whenever he so desires, slash all the nets of defilements with his sword of wisdom and betake himself to a purified Buddha-field conjoined with wisdom that is free from (desire).'