Through the Mahayana Buddhist Vimalakīrtinirdeśa-sūtra, Vimalakīrti teaches us how to get liberation. Moreover, he also teaches us how to enlighten both oneself and others; i.e., his wisdom helps all living beings achieve the Buddhahood. There are three purposes of this paper. First, I will explain the meaning of ‘śūnyatā’(emptiness). Second, I will figure out the outline of ‘Bodhisattva-caryā’ (the path of being a Bodhisattva, the practice of being a Bodhisattva). Third, I will investigate the relationship between śūnyatā and Bodhisattva-caryā. What is the significance of this relationship will be also discussed in the paper. The scope of my research includes two texts. The major one is Vimalakīrtinirdeśa-sūtra, translated by Kumārajīva. The other is the Annotation of Vimalakīrtinirdeśa-sūtra, edited by Sengzhao who is a student of Kumārajīva. Furthermore, this paper is divided into three parts. Firstly, I will discuss the implication of ‘śūnyatā’, ‘anātmakam’, ‘apratiṣṭhita’, and ‘the incredible realm of liberation’. Secondly, I will explain the practice of Bodhisattva-caryā in Vimalakīrtinirdeśa-sūtra. It contains ‘the meaning of the Bodhisattva-caryā’, ‘Vimalakīrti’s bodhisattva’s performance’ and ‘the characteristics of Bodhisattva-caryā in the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa-sūtra’. Finally, the relationship between śūnyatā and Bodhisattva-caryā will be stated in the last part. Śūnyatā is the essence of prajñā. Bodhisattva’s practice focuses on using different miscellaneous talent and methods to benefit all living beings. Also, bodhisattvas achieve their enlightenment based on non-attachment and great altruism. They will help all living beings to attain the enlightenment too. It’s remarkably that śūnyatā and Bodhisattva’s practice is complementary performance. In all the past dynasties, the reason that the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa has been paid high attention are its values in literature, art, and mostly its dispensable teachings. The sūtra represents a generalized refined ideas of many sutras. It helps people to solve their puzzles and to eliminate the wrong attachment in life. This sūtra is worthy of the name of ‘Buddhist Bible’ which is very helpful for people to get liberation. It is a practice manual of Buddhahood. Also, it can apply its teachings in life. In other words, it can be applied into daily practice. Consequently, we will have rich and colorful life. Also, our spirit will be uplifted a lot. We can get the eventual relief in body, mind and spirituality.
