Li Tongxuan, a lay Huayan practitioner of Tang China, proposed a step-by-step progressive way of the Bodhisattva rooted in the initial arousal of bodhicitta (初發菩提心), giving his theory of practice a proactive, substantial tone. This paper compares Li’s theory of bodhisattvahood with that of Fazang to illustrate the practical aspects of Li’s ideas, as opposed to his more theoretical and ideal, albeit fundamental, ideas on ultimate Buddhahood based on the Huayan notion of the perfect-interfusion of one and everything (圓 融 思 想 ). Through the examination of Li’s ideas on the initial arousal of bodhicitta, three characteristics of Li’s theory of bodhisattvahood will be brought into sharp relief: (1) Li distinguished between the arousal of bodhicitta at the Ten Faiths level (十信位) which is based on faith in the acts of past buddhas and that of the Ten Abodes level (十住位) which is more an act of solid will to develop one’s bodhicitta and to proactively vow to make efforts to save all sentient beings; (2) Li emphasized the need to deal with one’s latent habitual residues (習氣) despite the nonretrogressing force of the initial arousal of bodhicitta, revealing his realistic view of human existence so often burdened with faults and weaknesses; (3) Li set forth the idea that at each of the Five Levels of Practice one needs to engage in the arousal of bodhicitta anew(五 種 初 發 菩 提 心 ). These characteristics reveal Li Tongxuan’s extensive practical approach to the theory of the bodhisattva’s way,giving the modern man many valuable insights as we struggle to live each day actively and progressively in a world where we find global situations and values in constant shift.
