Parsifal wrote: ↑Wed Aug 24, 2022 7:45 am
I think it possible to learn an essence of Buddhism bit by bit as far as I can live but I do like to know immediately how I can practice Bodhicitta to come to learn how wonderful I can live with other people as a famous psychologist, Dr. Adler insisted. Even though it is very hard to learn, I am ready to do so as mentioned above. So I do like to know how I can live by dedicating myself to harmonizing myself with the others including all creatures and non-creatures.
This is difficult. But there are different entry points for different dispositions.
I think that Zen liturgy directly points to Bodhicitta - but most of the time it points to engaging in the wisdom aspect of Bodhicitta.
However Zen has the Three Pure Precepts (which are also found in the Southern School and in the Northern School outside of Zen):
Do not create Evil.
Practice Good.
Actualize Good For Others.
How do we practice good? How do we actualize good for others? We have to at least have the intention to not harm others. But it would be better to be more active and at least incline our behavior and minds to kindness, even if we can't act on it right now.
We have to remember that all living beings are going to get sick and die. Every single being faces impermanence directly and will suffer sickness and death.
As the Diamond Sutra says:
“As a lamp, a cataract, a star in space, an illusion, a dewdrop, a bubble, a dream, a cloud, a flash of lightning, view all created things like this.
(Red Pine's translation)
All beings with minds (sentient beings) experience some degree of suffering. Some of the suffering is great and some of the suffering is minor but most humans and animals living in or near a human environment face some degree of suffering daily (although esp. the humans tend to ignore it except in their emotional reactions, which they don't recognize as a reaction to suffering).
The truth of suffering is with us constantly but most people push it away and don't face it.
The other thing is that people are actually Buddhas but don't realize it. They can stop their suffering but don't know how to. Even people who know this is true but aren't realized Buddhas often don't or can't cut through their suffering. Most people die without every knowing that they could become Buddhas.
Contemplating impermanence, suffering and the fact that people are usually divorced from even a glimpse of their true nature (Buddhahood) can help us to raise compassion for all beings.
Then, the other common Zen chant that directly points to both merit (action) and also wisdom are the
Four Bodhisattva Vows:
Living beings are limitless; I vow to deliver them.
Mental afflictions are inexhaustible; I vow to cut them off .
Dharma gates are incalculable; I vow to practice them.
The buddha way is unsurpassed; I vow to attain it.
My main Zen teacher's monastery teaches them like this:
Sentient beings are numberless; I vow to save them.
Desires are inexhaustible; I vow to put an end to them.
The Dharmas are boundless; I vow to master them.
The Buddha Way is unattainable; I vow to attain it.
How can we save or deliver sentient beings? We have to practice love, kindness and compassion. Whenever possible we have to be ready to help if we can. If we can't help others, then we should never harm them.
To me, reciting the Zen liturgy is one way to begin engaging with Bodhicitta.
Beyond that are the sutras/suttas and the teaching of Dogen, especially the Shobogenzo.