Bodhicitta Motivation

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Nicholas Weeks
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Bodhicitta Motivation

Post by Nicholas Weeks »

A classic Chinese text on what motivates one toward the bodhisattva life: http://cttbusa.org/bodhi_resolve/contents.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

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An excerpt:
As the Flower Adornment Sutra says, "If you forget your resolve upon Bodhi, your cultivation of even wholesome dharmas becomes the karma of demons." From this it is clear that forgetting our resolve upon Bodhi is even worse than having never made the resolve.

Thus we know that anyone wishing to study the Vehicle of the Thus Come Ones must first make the vows of a Bodhisattva without delay.

But resolves and vows are various and they have many aspects. If they are not pointed out, how can we know what direction to take? I will now explain them in general for the great assembly. There are eight aspects of a resolve: deviant, proper, true, false, great, small, partial, and complete.

What is meant by deviant, proper, true, false, great, small, partial, and complete? A cultivator's resolve is deviant if in his practice he does not investigate his own mind but knows only about external matters. Perhaps he seeks benefit and offerings, likes fame and a good reputation, is greedy for objects of pleasure in the present, or he may hope for reward in the future. A resolve such as this is deviant.
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

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The bodhi resolve is like a seed, this because it is able to generate the growth of all of the Buddha dharmas.
The bodhi resolve is like rich field, this because it is able to sprout beings' white dharmas of pristine purity.
The bodhi resolve is like the great earth, this because it is able to support everything in the world.
The bodhi resolve is like pure water, this because it is able to rinse away all of the filth of the afflictions.
The bodhi resolve is like the great wind, this because, throughout the world, it remains unimpeded.
Avatamsaka Sutra, ch. 39
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

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The bodhi resolve is like the clearly shining sun, this because it everywhere illuminates everyone in the entire world.
The bodhi resolve is like the full moon, this because it is perfectly full in the white dharmas of pristine purity.
The bodhi resolve is like a brightly shining lamp, this because it is able to emanate the light of the many different sorts of dharmas.
The bodhi resolve is like the clearly seeing eye, this because it everywhere perceives all of the safe and hazardous places.
The bodhi resolve is like the great road, this because it is causes everyone to succeed in entering the city of great wisdom.
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

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Nagarjuna on bodhicitta, translated by Jinpa: http://www.tibetanclassics.org/html-ass ... entary.pdf
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

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Son of Good Family, just as vajra is not such as an inferior or broken vessel is capable of retaining, but rather is something that is only appropriately contained in a perfectly intact and supremely marvelous vessel, so too it is in the case of the vajra of the bodhi resolve, for it is such as cannot be contained in the vessel of any inferior being inclined toward miserliness, enviousness, breaking of precepts, indolence, erroneous thought, or ignorance. Nor can it be contained in the vessel of any being who has retreated from the especially supreme vows and become scattered and distracted by evil ideation, this because it cannot be retained in any other place aside from the jeweled vessel of the bodhisattva’s deep mind.
Avatamsaka Sutra, ch. 39
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

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044 – Through Inspiring Bodhi Resolve, Superior Merit and Eighth Stage Are Assured

Through influencing countless beings
To generate the bodhi resolve,
One’s treasury of merit increases yet more
And one becomes bound to gain “the ground of immovability.”


Commentary by Bhikshu Vasitva:
This bodhisattva, using the four means of attraction, first draws
in beings and then, when they are ready, teaches them in a manner
inspiring them to seek the highest enlightenment.
It is in the nature of this bodhisattva’s ability to cause others to
resolve on enlightenment that it inevitably creates for him an inexhaustible
reserve of merit, inevitably causes his own unshakable
resolve to be renewed in life after life, and inevitably causes him to
eventually reach “the ground of immovability,” [the eighth of the
ten bodhisattva grounds].
From Nāgārjuna’s Guide to the Bodhisattva Path, page 119 - Kalavinka Press
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

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On Generating the Resolve to Become a Buddha
By Arya Nāgārjuna

The Seven Bases for Generating Bodhi Resolve

Question: The initial generation of the resolve [to realize buddhahood]
is the root of all vows. What then is meant by this “initial
generation of resolve”?

Response:
The initial resolve to realize bodhi
May involve three or four types of causes and conditions.
When beings initially generate the resolve to realize bodhi, it may
find its origin in a set of three causal bases or else in a set of four
causal bases. Thus, when one combines them, one has a total of
seven causes and conditions associated with generating the resolve
to gain anuttara-samyak-saṃbodhi.

Question: What then are those seven?

Response:
In the case of the first, the Tathāgatas
May influence one to generate the resolve to realize bodhi.
Second, observing that the Dharma is on the verge of destruction,
One generates the resolve in order to guard and protect it.
In the case of the third, when in the midst of beings,
One feels compassion for them and therefore initiates the resolve.
As for the fourth, one may have a bodhisattva
Instruct one in generation of the resolve to realize bodhi.
Fifth, one may observe the conduct of a bodhisattva
And, in emulating him, one may generate the resolve.
Or alternatively, in the aftermath of an act of giving,
One may generate the resolve to realize bodhi based on that.
Or else, on seeing the characteristic signs of a buddha’s body,
One may feel delight and then proceed to generate the resolve.
Thus it may be on account of seven causes and conditions
That one generates the resolve to realize bodhi.
From On Generating the Resolve to Become a Buddha, page 17 - Kalavinka Press
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

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Yet only three motives of those listed by Nagarjuna guarantee success, as he writes further on:
Among these seven categories of resolve, where a buddha has contemplated
the basis in one’s faculties and then instructed one to generate
the resolve, that will certainly result in success, this because
[the Buddhas] do not utter words which are in vain.
So, too, in instances where [such resolve is generated] on account
of revering and esteeming the Dharma of the Buddhas and being
motivated by the will to protect it.
So, too, in those instances where one has brought forth the mind
of great compassion for the sake of beings. These three categories
of resolve will definitely result in success, this because the roots [of
goodness] are deeply anchored.

In instances where other bodhisattvas have provided instruction
which has influenced one to generate the resolve, in instances
where one has observed the practices of bodhisattvas and thus generated
the resolve, in instances where one has generated the resolve
on account of an act of great giving, and in instances where one has
generated the resolve on account of directly seeing or merely hearing
about the physical marks [of a buddha]—most of these instances
of generating the resolve do not result in success.
Still, it may indeed be that there will be success in these latter
instances.
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

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As a preliminary or perhaps part of bodhisattva cultivation are the Four Limitless: loving-kindness (MAITRĪ), compassion (KARUṆĀ), empathetic joy (MUDITĀ), and equanimity or impartiality (UPEKṢĀ).
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Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

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This is how the text linked in the OP begins:
I, the unworthy Shr Syan, a lowly, ordinary Sanghan, weeping blood and bowing to the ground, exhort the great assembly and present-day men and women of pure faith: please listen and consider what I am about to say.

We have heard that resolving the mind is foremost among the essential doors for entering the Path, and that making vows is first among the crucial matters in cultivation. By making vows, we can save living beings. By resolving our minds, we can realize the Buddhas' Path. If we do not make our resolve great and our vows firm, we will remain on the turning wheel throughout as many kalpas as there are particles of dust. Any cultivation will be only bitter toil done in vain.

As the Flower Adornment Sutra says, "If you forget your resolve upon Bodhi, your cultivation of even wholesome dharmas becomes the karma of demons." From this it is clear that forgetting our resolve upon Bodhi is even worse than having never made the resolve.

Thus we know that anyone wishing to study the Vehicle of the Thus Come Ones must first make the vows of a Bodhisattva without delay.

But resolves and vows are various and they have many aspects. If they are not pointed out, how can we know what direction to take? I will now explain them in general for the great assembly. There are eight aspects of a resolve: deviant, proper, true, false, great, small, partial, and complete.
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
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Boomerang
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

Post by Boomerang »

This is all so beautiful. Thank you for posting it.
Lucas Oliveira
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

Post by Lucas Oliveira »

This short sutra represents the ideal of the bodhisattva consisting of it's four fundamental vows, whose first vow - to save all sentient beings - contains the other three. Sung every morning, this sutra reminds us of the highest mission as practicioner of Mahayana Buddhism and human being in this world. Every day we renew this vow.

The Shigu Seigan Mon follows the Hannya Shingyo during ceremonies.

Shigu Seigan Mon

Shu Jo Muhen Seigando

Bonno Mujin Seigandan

Homon Muryo Seigangaku

Butsu Do Mujo Seiganjo


The four great vows of the Boddhisatva

No matter how numerous the sentient beings
I vow to save them all.

No matter how numerous the passions
I vow to defeat them all

No matter how numerous the dharmas,
I vow to aquire them all.

No matter the perfection which is the Way of the Buddah,
I vow to realise it.

http://www.zen-deshimaru.com/en/zen/shi ... oddhisatva



:namaste:
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jet.urgyen
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

Post by jet.urgyen »

Nicholas Weeks wrote: Fri Jul 08, 2011 4:07 am An excerpt:
As the Flower Adornment Sutra says, "If you forget your resolve upon Bodhi, your cultivation of even wholesome dharmas becomes the karma of demons." From this it is clear that forgetting our resolve upon Bodhi is even worse than having never made the resolve.

Thus we know that anyone wishing to study the Vehicle of the Thus Come Ones must first make the vows of a Bodhisattva without delay.

But resolves and vows are various and they have many aspects. If they are not pointed out, how can we know what direction to take? I will now explain them in general for the great assembly. There are eight aspects of a resolve: deviant, proper, true, false, great, small, partial, and complete.

What is meant by deviant, proper, true, false, great, small, partial, and complete? A cultivator's resolve is deviant if in his practice he does not investigate his own mind but knows only about external matters. Perhaps he seeks benefit and offerings, likes fame and a good reputation, is greedy for objects of pleasure in the present, or he may hope for reward in the future. A resolve such as this is deviant.
hahaha what a coincidence, i was just on a thread related to karma of demons.

Thank you.
true dharma is inexpressible.

The bodhisattva nourishes from bodhicitta, through whatever method the Buddha has given him. Oh joy.
Nicholas Weeks
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Re: Bodhicitta Motivation

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The fundamental nature of consciousness and its attributes cannot be separated,
just as fire cannot be separated from heat. But these qualities are not manifest.
It is like a sword whose sharpness remains invisible while the blade is in its sheath, or like a
mirror, which has the capacity to reflect shapes and colors but not while it remains in darkness.

The qualities of enlightenment are inherent in consciousness but can remain invisible for a long time.
The ultimate nature of mind, emptiness endowed with the qualities of supreme enlightenment, is always
present in us but remains latent until we recognize it and become familiar with it. It is not enough to
intellectually understand the nature of mind. We have to get rid of the veils that obscure it, and the best
way to do so is to generate the bodhichitta, the “mind of enlightenment,” which is the supreme intention to
achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. That is the only way to discover true enlightenment or,
in other words, to become buddha.
Shechen Gyaltsap
May all seek, find & follow the Path of Buddhas.
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