Bodhichitta

[Luke]

Hello fellow Vajrayana practioners and those interested in Vajrayana!

The beginning of a forum is a delicate time and I think we should begin the forum the way all meditations begin by taking refuge in the Lama, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, and reflecting on Bodhichitta, the desire to free all sentient beings from suffering.

Here's an excellent introduction about taking refuge and Bodhichitta by Patrul Rinpoche:
http://www.lotsawahouse.org/patrul/esse ... hitta.html

All authentic Vajrayana traditions emphasize Bodhichitta.

Sometimes people seem to lose sight of Bodhichitta in the midst of heated intellectual discussions on forums. I hope that showing compassion and kindness towards each other and all sentient beings will become the hallmark of this forum.

OM MANI PADME HUM

[Luke]

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of the best living examples of Bodhichitta. Despite all the suffering he and his people have endured, he keeps on sending out kindness and positive energy to the world.



Free Tibet!!

[Will]

To have a strong & lasting bodhicitta, one needs certain causes & conditions. A new translation of Nagarjuna (and two other bodhisattvas) gives those conditions. See http://www.kalavinkapress.org

This is how it begins:

On Generating the Resolve to Become a Buddha
By Ārya Nāgārjuna

The Seven Bases for Generating the 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.

[Luke]

Fascinating, Will. I'd never seen that before. You've reminded us how nothing exists independently.

Fifth, one may observe the conduct of a bodhisattva
And, in emulating him, one may generate the resolve.

I think this is my favorite way to develop Bodhichitta. I love being in the presence of great lamas and observing them closely because I desire to be like them.

[Drolma]

Thank you Luke and Will, (s)

Buddhism over centuries has always flown on two "wings" - wisdom and compassion

[Will]

Vasubandhu's Treatise on the Bodhisattva Vow covers in more detail the root conditions, with chapters on the paramitas etc. Never before in English, I think, this is a wonderful textual guide! Same http://www.kalavinka.org site.

[Dazzle]

The teaching on Aspirational Bodhicitta by His Holiness the Dalai Lama


http://www.bodhicitta.net/The%20Teachin ... icitta.htm

.

[Dazzle]

The Bodhisattva Vow

"The development of bodhicitta is essential. All the Buddhas and bodhisattvas attained realization through first developing bodhicitta within themselves. Because the realization of the bodhisattva level comes from developing bodhicitta, we need to follow the same system of developing bodhicitta within ourselves."

More information about the Bodhisattva vow here in an article by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (Thrangu Rinpoche is tutor to HH 17th Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje)

http://www.kagyu.org/kagyulineage/buddh ... /tra06.php

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