The monks were not satisfied with Upali's verdict, so they went to Mahasattva Bodhisattva Vimalakirti (a Mahasattva Bodhisattva is a practitioner who is on the verge of becoming a Buddha). Vimalakirti said, "You have not broken any precepts because your actions were not intentional. Upali has a Hinayana mind. He does not yet fully understand Mahayana teachings. You two have Mahayana karmic roots that go back many lifetimes. You have broken no precepts." His words cleared their doubts like a blazing sun melts ice and snow. In comparison, Upali's wisdom was like the light of a firefly.

No sin is created if the mind does not move. Furthermore, when the mind does not move, previous sins disappear as well. If the mind moves again, then previous sins return. If the mind stops moving temporarily, that is samadhi. Samadhi, however, is not the "no mind" state of Ch'an. When a person genuinely attains the no mind state, his or her mind stops moving without the possibility of new mevement. In this state, no sins are created, and previous sins disappear. This is the sudden teaching of the Mahayana tradition.

The power of the liberated is inconceivable,
With wonderful functions more numerous than the Ganges sands.
They would not refuse to make the four offerings
To one who can accept ten thousand ounces of gold.
To have body broken and bones reduced to dust is not enough to repay
The words that enlighten, transcending countless eons.