Toh 236The Tenth Chapter from Amongst the Ten Thousand Chapters of the Sūtra on the Heroic Way
Pāli / Sanskrit:(no Sanskrit title, translated from part of Chinese Śūraṃgamasūtra)
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An Exposition of the Sutra on the Heroic Way — The Tenth Chapter
Background
The Sutra on the Heroic Way (Śūraṃgamasūtra) is an important scripture of Mahāyāna Buddhism, widely transmitted in the Northern Transmission tradition and in the countries of East Asia. Although the title of this sutra comes from the ancient Chinese tradition, it was recorded and developed profoundly in the Northern Transmission, where it is classified in the Kangyur, the principal canonical collection of the Buddha-Dharma.
The name “Heroic Way” (Śūraṃgama) means “proceeding with heroic strength” or “going straight forward,” signifying unwavering mastery in the practice of the Buddha-Dharma. The tenth chapter is selected from within a collection of ten thousand chapters, reflecting the comprehensive cohesion of the Buddha-Dharma. The sutra was taught in the context of Buddha Śākyamuni guiding his disciples, especially in order to help monastics overcome mistaken obstacles in the process of practice.
Main Content
The tenth chapter of this sutra focuses on clarifying mistaken understandings about the nature of mind, the sense faculties, and the external world. This is an essential issue in Mahāyāna Buddha-Dharma, especially in the schools of 唯識 (Yogācāra) and Tathāgatagarbha, which the Northern Transmission greatly values.
The sutra teaches that what we regard as “mind” is not a fixed entity or something that exists independently. Instead, all sensory experiences and consciousness arise from the complex interaction of elements without self-nature (anātman). By observing in detail, we recognize that the so-called “self” is only a temporary gathering of elements characterized by impermanence (anicca).
This chapter also refers to methods of practice for overcoming states of ignorance (avidyā). Through continuous mindfulness (smrti/sati) and right understanding (samyag-jñāna), the practitioner can gradually remove mistaken psychological structures and draw near to unsurpassed wisdom (bodhi).
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