Altruism

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

After my wrathful deity retreat I came out the other side and decided to focus on altruism.

I practice a deity prior to Dzogchen practice to help with this.

The machinations of the ego always find a way to complicate things but really everything is simple.

[Virgo]

After my wrathful deity retreat I came out the other side and decided to focus on altruism.

If you live with bodhicitta you already have altruism.

Virgo

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

After my wrathful deity retreat I came out the other side and decided to focus on altruism.

If you live with bodhicitta you already have altruism.

Virgo

Yes good point but is it the priority because it wasn’t for me but the individual needs to decide for themselves I should emphasise

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

Here’s a good quote

[jet.urgyen]

After my wrathful deity retreat I came out the other side and decided to focus on altruism.

I practice a deity prior to Dzogchen practice to help with this.

The machinations of the ego always find a way to complicate things but really everything is simple.

don't want to mess but, imo, wrathful practice should be done with the same love and compassion as the peaceful

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

After my wrathful deity retreat I came out the other side and decided to focus on altruism.

I practice a deity prior to Dzogchen practice to help with this.

The machinations of the ego always find a way to complicate things but really everything is simple.

don't want to mess but, imo, wrathful practice should be done with the same love and compassion as the peaceful

Yes true but they are different

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

True compassion is not just an emotional response, but a firm commitment founded on reason. Therefore, a truly compassionate attitude toward others does not change, even if they behave negatively. Through universal altruism, you develop a feeling of responsibility for others: the wish to help them actively overcome their problems

HHDL

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

All suffering without exception comes from wishing for one’s own happiness. The perfect Buddha arises from the altruistic mind

HEGR

[Soma999]

Wrathful deity are highly compassionate. They should be practiced with a mind of love. If practiced with anger they may generate more problems than solutions.

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

Wrathful deity are highly compassionate. They should be practiced with a mind of love. If practiced with anger they may generate more problems than solutions.

We established this on a previous thread I have been practicing for several years/decades if you count my time as a Monk it’s not something I don’t know about

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

More from His Holiness

My main practice is altruism. My body, voice, mind [are] dedicated to the well-being of 7 billion human beings.

I’ve noticed with this effort I’m undertaking is that on the relative Bodhicitta level obstacles arise but when things are going well the effort to be altruistic makes complete sense

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

"If you receive empowerment, it's about bodhicitta. If you receive teachings, it's about bodhicitta. If you practice teachings, it's about bodhicitta. Everything comes down to bodhicitta. The essence of practice is about bodhicitta. When you sit down to do your practice, what you practice is bodhicitta." ~ Garchen Rinpoche

As altruism is synonymous with bodhicitta I thought I'd quote this one

One thing with Bodhicitta i think about is when all is left to do is to benefit others, what then?

We're addicted to these arguments, conflicts, cancelling each other out let's be honest

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

Bodhicitta is the medicine which revives and gives life to every sentient being who even hears of it.
— Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

[Malcolm]

We're addicted to these arguments, conflicts, cancelling each other out let's be honest

That depends upon one's motivation. If someone is arguing to benefit someone, protect the Dharma from misinterpretation, sharpen their understanding, and so on, then it is fine. If their purpose is merely to increase their own egos, etc., then it is not fine and is negative.

Kindness doesn't always look kind. Sometimes it looks a little harsh.

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

We're addicted to these arguments, conflicts, cancelling each other out let's be honest

That depends upon one's motivation. If someone is arguing to benefit someone, protect the Dharma from misinterpretation, sharpen their understanding, and so on, then it is fine. If their purpose is merely to increase their own egos, etc., then it is not fine and is negative.

Kindness doesn't always look kind. Sometimes it looks a little harsh.

Thanks Malcolm I know you're motivation is strong because you're tireless in benefiting others

I guess it comes down to the individual motivation with these cultural issues we come up against with the Dharma

Have a nice New Year and an auspicious 2023 for your teaching and projects

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

The highest perfection of altruism, the ultimate altruism, is bodhicitta complemented by wisdom. Bodhicitta—the aspiration to bring about the welfare of all sentient beings and to attain buddhahood for their sake—is really the distilled essence, the squeezed juice, of all the Buddha’s teachings, because ultimately, the Buddha’s intention is to lead all sentient beings to perfect enlightenment, complete omniscience. Since it is bodhicitta that determines whether or not our practice becomes the path to enlightenment, bodhicitta is truly the heart essence of all the teachings of the Buddha.”
― Dalai Lama XIV,

[Malcolm]

I guess it comes down to the individual motivation with these cultural issues we come up against with the Dharma

Have a nice New Year and an auspicious 2023 for your teaching and projects

Thanks, and you too.

[Konchog Thogme Jampa]

Reflect upon the wonderful enlightened qualities of the buddhas, particularly those of the historical Buddha. We all know that Shakyamuni Buddha was not a fully enlightened being right from the start. Initially, he was just like us—an ordinary being struggling on the path, with the natural weaknesses and limitations that we all have. What distinguishes the Buddha from us, however, is that he took the practice of bodhicitta to heart. He then embarked upon the path and, as a result of his efforts, eventually attained the fully enlightened state.
― Dalai Lama XIV,

Last one now this one was too good not to post

[tobes]

I celebrate what you're doing here. I find it a bit scandalous that so little is written about bodhicitta on this forum....

[Virgo]

Last one now

Why the last?

Virgo