Single path to be traversed

[Inexhaustible] single path to be traversed (Skt. [akṣaya]-ekāyana; T. bgrod pa gcig pa བགྲོད་པ་གཅིག་པ་) is a factor of the eighty inexhaustibles.

The Khenjuk states:

The single path to be traversed refers to the entrance to the ultimate, no matter which direction one enters from. In the sense of the general path of liberation, it means, for instance, no-identity. According to the Mahayana path, it means, for instance, equality or the vajra-like samadhi for entering the great dharmakaya of ultimate quiescence.

In terms of the one who enters the path, 'singly traversed' means to form the intention: "I alone will bring all sentient beings to maturation!" Hence, it means to perform all the boundless aspects of perfecting, ripening and cultivating exclusively by oneself, without depending upon others.

Explanation in the Akṣayamatinirdeśa

The Akṣayamatinirdeśa states:

“Furthermore, Venerable Śāradvatīputra, the way of the bodhisatvas that is traversed alone is also imperishable.

“What is the way that is traversed alone? On the way that is traversed alone, the bodhisatvas are not dependent on anyone else. The way traversed alone is as follows: alone, isolated, and without companions, the bodhisatvas put on the armor for the sake of incomparable, complete awakening. Through their determination motivated by their vigor, strength, and power and without the assistance of others, they distinguish themselves on their own, through their own power. In this way, clad in this strong armor, they think, ‘Whatever is to be attained by living, I will attain too. Whatever is to be attained by all the holy ones and all the bodhisatvas who have recently entered the vehicle, I will attain too. Generosity is not my companion. Rather, I am the companion of generosity. Morality, patient acceptance, vigor, meditation, and insight are not my companions. Rather, I am the companion of morality, patient acceptance, vigor, meditation, and insight. I am not to be served by the perfections. Rather, the perfections are to be served by me. I am not to be served by the means of attraction. Rather, the means of attraction are to be served by me. I am not to be served by all the roots of virtue. Rather, all the roots of virtue are to be served by me. By means of those qualities, I will sit on the adamantine seat on my own, without companions, without the assistance of others, alone, isolated, without any help. Then, after having subdued Māra and his armies, I will awaken to incomparable, complete awakening by means of the insight associated with the momentary mind.’ This is how they awaken to complete buddhahood.

“This, Venerable Śāradvatīputra, is called the bodhisatvas’ imperishable way that is traversed alone."

Sources

• Mipham Rinpoche (2002), Gateway to Knowledge, vol. III, translated by Kunsang, Erik Pema, Rangjung Yeshe Publications 
• Jens Braarvig and David Welsh (2022 ), The Teaching of Akshayamati, 84000 Reading Room