English
What is the power of wisdom? It is when one single-mindedly focuses on any dharma through samadhi, and then examines it with the power of wisdom, realizing that all dharmas are like illusions and not truly established. This is the power of wisdom. Sagacious Intellect asked: Blessed One, what are the five powers? The Buddha replied: Sagacious Intellect, the five paths of a Bodhisattva are: the power of faith, the power of diligence, the power of mindfulness, the power of samadhi, and the power of wisdom. What is the power of faith? It is that which one believes in and admires cannot be shaken by anything. Even if Mara transforms into a Buddha and comes before him, saying, 'That is not the Dharma,' even if he is led astray, he will not be separated from it, nor will he be divided. Even if the great elements were to change, the admiration for the power of faith would not allow him to be separated from that power, therefore it is called the power of faith. What is the power of diligence? It is that when one initiates diligence, and the power is shown for any virtuous dharma, until one reaches that place, the power of diligence cannot be turned back by anyone, therefore it is the power of diligence. What is the power of mindfulness? It is that when mindfulness is closely established on any dharma, the mind is not distracted, and no affliction can shake it. Moreover, the power of mindfulness destroys afflictions, therefore it is called the power of mindfulness. What is the power of samadhi? It is that because of having mindfulness and habitual tendencies, one is not shaken by afflictions, and wherever one dwells, one is secluded from busyness. No perception of grasping arises towards any object such as form, and one does not conceptually think about any dharma. Because one has obtained the power of being secluded from busyness, it is called the power of samadhi. What is the power of wisdom? It is that the power of wisdom completely knows all dharmas of the world and beyond, and thus liberates worldly beings from samsara. This arises from the power of wisdom and jñana, therefore it is called the power of wisdom. Why are they called the five powers? Because they show the five faculties and their power increases, therefore they are called the five powers. This is from the Sutra of the Questions of Sagacious Intellect.