Shingon's Ten Levels of Mind: Level Two

AN OVERVIEW OF “THE PRECIOUS KEY TO THE SECRET TREASURY”

Shingon's Founder, 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)

At this second level of mind, self awareness quickens and we see that there is more to life than simply following the fickleness of the ordinary, untrained mind.  At this stage, refraining from over indulgence and harmful actions takes root as we begin to turn away from the first level of mind, seeking something more meaningful. (jk)

"The Foolish, Abstinent Mind (gudo jisai-shin).  Here, some karmic cause has stirred the individual's inherent Buddha-nature so that he begins to restrain himself.  This is the mind that strives to be ethical and moral."  (Yamasaki, p.95)

“Thus, when they practice the Three Human Duties and the Five Cardinal Virtues, the relationships between prince and minister, between father and son will be in proper order and without confusion. [Confucianism]" (Hakeda, p. 159)

“The Mind of the Foolish Child who Abstains (gudo-jisai-shin).  The “foolish child” is the person who leads a profane life but has nevertheless awakened to a consciousness of ethical precepts and therefore abstains from actions that are harmful to his fellow men.  This stage corresponds to the “way of social action” (manusyamarga-vada), typified by Confucianism.”  (Snodgrass, p. 7)

Though the name of this level of mind may seem condescending, it is the critical first step in our development. Prof. Hakeda in his "Kukai: Major Works" equates this level of mind with the practice of Confucianism (Hakeda, p. 69), in which the cultivation of goodness, loyalty and service to others is valued highly. (jk)

Recommended Readings:

Kukai: Major Works by Yoshito Hakeda, Part Three pages 167 - 170

The Analects of Confucius (Arthur Waley, Vintage Books, 1938)

The Ling Ch’i Ching (Sawyer & Sawyer, Shambhala, 1995)

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