Shingon's Ten Levels of Mind: Level Four

AN OVERVIEW OF “THE PRECIOUS KEY TO THE SECRET TREASURY”
Kobo Daishi Kukai’s Ten Level’s of Mind and Path of Spiritual Development
(A collection of relevant materials, recommended readings and some sporadic comments)

"The Mind of Aggregates-Only Without Self (yuiun muga-shin).  The mind at this level sees the self as impermanent, but still thinks that the five aggregates (form, perception, mental activity, will, and consciousness) have real existence.  (The early stage of Buddhism known as the shomon-jo, the "vehicle of one who hears the voice" of Shakyamuni teaching, by which the individual seeks salvation for himself alone, belongs to this level.)"  (Yamasaki, p. 95)

When they recognize the Five Psychophysical Constituents only and realize that the notion of a permanent ego is unreal, they gain the results of the Eightfold Emancipation and Six Supernatural Powers.  [The Sravaka of Hinayana] (Hakeda, p. 159)

"This mind recognizes the existence of components only and denies a permanent ego.  The Tripitika of the Goat-cart of Hinayana is entirely included herein."  (Hakeda, p. 70)

"The great Buddha, the World Honored One, therefore preached the Goat Vehicle in order to save people from the extreme suffering of falling into the Three Evil Paths." (Hakeda. p. 176)

“The Mind (that understands) the Non-Existence of the Self and the Sole Existence of the Aggregates (yui-un-muga-shin).  The first three stages are called the “mundane” stages” (sekenju) and are the non-Buddhist stages.  The fourth stage of mind is the first of the Buddhist stages, corresponding to the Way of the Sages (shodo), the Sravakayana (shomonjo).  It is the stage of realizing that the sentient being is a temporary linking together of the five aggregates (go-un), which are in perpetual flux and therefore lack any real existence.  It is the stage in which the four noble Truths (shitai) are understood, so that an aspiration to  achieve Nirvana arises.”  (Snodgrass, p. 7 - 8)  

"By practicing the samadhi of the realization of emptiness, they know that the permanent ego is nonexistent, like an illusion or a thread of gossamer.  Gaining wisdom by extinguishing their defilements, they become free from further existence in samasara."  (Hakeda, p. 177)

According to Kobo Daishi Kukai, at the fourth level of our spiritual journey we encounter the buddhadharma for the first time.  At this stage we practice the core disciplines Shakamuni taught.  This system of practice is characterized by what Kukai called the Three Masteries - sila, samadhi and prajna.  At this stage, we have a chance to completely overcome our personal obstacles to awakening.  At this level we connect with what the Japanese call "hongaku", our inherent enlightenment.  (jk)

Recommended readings

Kukai: Major Works by Yoshito Hakeda, Part Three pages 175 - 194

The Dhammapada, translated by Balangoda Anada Maitreya, Parallax Press, 1995 

The First Discourse of the Buddha (R. Dhamma, Wisdom Publications, 1997)

Bibliography

Shingon: Japanese Esoteric Buddhism, Taiko Yamasaki, Shambhala, 1988

Kukai: Major Works, Y.S.Hakeda, Columbia University Press, 1972

The Matrix and Diamond World Mandalas in Shingon Buddhism, A. Snodgrass, International Academy of Indian Culture and Aditya Prakashan, New Delhi, 1988