From the Flower Ornament Scripture (Avatamsaka Sutra)
Translated by Thomas Cleary
Shambhala Publications
Section on The Ten Abodes
p. 385-86
I have edited slightly.
"What is the enlightening beings' abode of preparing the ground? Here the enlightening beings develop ten attitudes toward all living beings: altruism; compassion; wish to give happiness; wish to give security; mercy; care; protecting; identification; considering them as teachers; considering them as guides. Here the enlightening beings should encourage and study ten things: study and learning; uncluttered tranquility; association with the wise; gentle, pleasing speech; speech appropriate to the occasion; fearlessness; understanding; acting in accord with the teaching; avoiding folly and delusion; stability. What is the reason? To cause enlightening beings to increase great compassion toward sentient beings, and to immediately understand whatever teachings they hear without relying on the instruction of another."
