Ten Ways of Transcendence

Treasury of Virtue

1. Giving or generosity
2. Morality, self-control, or discipline
3. Forbearance, patience, or tolerance
4. Energy or effort
5. Meditation or concentration

Treasury of Knowledge

6. Wisdom or transcendental knowledge

Sphere of More Advanced Enlightenment

7. Means, which includes skill in application and liberation of other people
8. Vows, involving the determination to seek enlightenment and help others realize their own enlightenment
9. Power, that is, powers of mental cultivation and ascertainment
10. Knowledge, including metaphysical knowledge and practical knowledge of the sciences of developing and maturing people

The ways of transcendence may be presented as a progression, but they can only be completed and perfected in conjunction with each other; this is an important aspect of the Flower Garland doctrine of interdependence. (pp. 1525-1526)

Excerpted from "Technical Terminology and Symbolism" in The Flower Ornament Scripture: A Translation of the Avatamsaka Sutra by Thomas Cleary