The process and contents of Suddhana's 53 visits in the Avatamsaka Sutra can really provide an index to the approach of deepening and widening the "earthly" Buddhism as proclaimed by today's Buddhist community.
The 53 persons of good knowledge whom Suddhana visited include the great bodhisattvas such as Manjusri，Maitreya, Avalokitesvara, and Samanthabhadra as well as children，sailor，pharmacist and any other professionals, no matter whether they are sangha member or lay people，male or female，old or young，Buddhist or not，superior or inferior. This fully shows the pluralism and tolerance of the techniques of practice and the role in Buddhism.
Following are the most important viewpoints: --The motivation of practice is based on bodhicitta. --The persons of good knowledge are accomplishment-oriented. --The universal tolerance shown by every person of good knowledge's being humble and extolling others. --Knowledge comes from the equal emphasis of the "five learnings"，and the study of Buddha dharma and non Buddha dharma. --Asceticism takes the purification of body and mind as its premise. --Dharmakaya sarira lays stress on dharma. --The expounding of dharma needs to go to the streets. --Group practice means the colleagues practicing together. --Religion is centered of practice and vow. --Both genders means to take care of the dark side of human nature. --Life should emphasize surrounding and nature. --Politics needs to integrate the "supramundane" and the "mundane" truths as well as to identify the "enlightened sage" with the "compassionate king". --Making offering to the Buddha has to serve the sentient beings first. --Universe is an internet of lights and images and is multiplied endlessly. --Practice needs to take step by step. --Buddha recitation needs the expanding of ten doors. --Health means the evolution with time. --Infinite growth is untired of rebirth. --Taking rebirth aims at the Amitabha Buddha's pure land. --Dedication of merit takes the attainment of Buddhahood as supreme.
A lot of ideals in the Suddhana's 53 visits are worthy of study. This can not only help the deepening and widening of "earthly" Buddhism but also guide the modern promoters of "earthly" Buddhism to avoid the falling into the trap of taking supramundane truth to be confused with mundane truth.
Using mundane truth to interrupt supramundane truth, and even misplacing the position of sangha members and lay people. This will help the correct development of "earthly" Buddhism.
