Chapter 13 - Do the Enlightened Also Have Samaya?

Even though enlightened individuals realize their own Buddha-nature, they maintain deep respect for their root guru, from whom they have sought guidance and taken refuge.

Rendering service.
Making offerings.
Paying homage.
Praying for their root guru’s blessings.

(This is the samaya that exists between an enlightened person and their root guru.)

An enlightened individual realizes that all phenomena arise from the mind, and knows that when merit is not regarded as merit, it is truly merit.

So-called merit is not merit, and precisely because there is no attachment to merit, it becomes merit.

However, enlightened individuals continue to accumulate the various causes and conditions of merit.

(This is the samaya between enlightened individuals and merit.)

An enlightened individual is fearless in the face of everything.

For example, an enlightened individual does not fear reincarnation, falling into the three lower realms, being placed in dangerous situations, and so on.

They clearly know that reincarnation is illusory, the three lower realms are dreams, and dangerous situations are temporary.

However, enlightened individuals abandon even the slightest misdeeds.

They do not commit negative actions, no matter how insignificant those actions may seem.

(This is the samaya between enlightened individuals and negative actions.)

Enlightened individuals understand the unexcelled state of perfect enlightenment, and know that many pure lands are also manifested within oneself.

They know all the Dharma teachings pertaining to arhats, pratyekabuddhas, bodhisattvas, and buddhas.
They know the Dharma teachings of Hinayana (Small Vehicle), Dviyana (Twofold Vehicle), Mahayana (Great Vehicle), and Vajrayana (Diamond Vehicle).
They know the Dharma teachings of Great Perfection.
They know the Dharma teachings pertaining to the Three Vehicles, Five Vehicles, and Nine Vehicles.

However, they do not disparage or vilify any Dharma teaching.

(This is the samaya between enlightened individuals and Dharma teachings.)

Enlightened individuals have already validated and understood many kinds of samadhi states.

They are able to enter samadhi and have confirmed the existence of siddhi.

Enlightened individuals have attained accomplishment on the path of spiritual cultivation.

They have realized each of the Ten Bhumis (Ten Stages of Bodhisattvahood).

However, they are not complacent.
They do not boast.
They are not arrogant.

(This is the samaya between enlightened individuals and the realization of the path.)

Enlightened individuals have a deep understanding of the profound principle of equality.

They recognize that there is no distinction between oneself and others, between oneself and all living beings.

I am a sentient being, and sentient beings are me.

This interconnectedness has always existed.

Sentient beings and oneself are also impermanent phenomena.

However, enlightened individuals cannot cease their compassionate nature toward sentient beings.

(This is the samaya between enlightened individuals and sentient beings.)

Enlightened individuals already understand that the two phenomena of reincarnation and nirvana are of one nature and not two.

Hence, samsara is nirvana, and nirvana is samsara; afflictions are bodhi, and bodhi is afflictions.

However, enlightened individuals never stop progressing along “the path of cultivation.”

(This is the samaya between enlightened individuals and cultivation.)