The Beauty and Majesty of the Buddha Dharma Path is Bodhicitta.
Bodhicitta is a mind in which all one’s natural sensations, emotions, thoughts, intentions, speech and actions are directed at the benefit of others with the full knowledge that there is an inter-dependence between every human creature and nature itself.
It is a mind that knows that there is intense suffering in this world of the senses and detects an internal and natural impulse to dedicate itself to the full Awakening of its own true nature and that of others.
Bodhicitta is often called the ‘Wish-Fulfilling Jewel,’ because like a magic jewel, if correctly used, it can bring true happiness, compassion, benevolent love and bliss when there are correct attitudes, intentions, actions and equanimity.
Bodhicitta is the part of the essential, universal nature of all human creatures.
This most pure thought is the wish and the will to bring all sentient beings to the realisation of their highest potential, which is awakening. It is the wish that all be relieved of suffering and that all may achieve a natural and correct happiness.
The Bodhisattva sees the crystal-clear purity of the Buddha Nature that exists in each of us, and by recognising the majesty of our human potential, always has respect for everyone.
Bodhicitta is not false happiness. It is the gladness that arises in the true happiness of others. Bodhichitta is not false compassion that is ruled by the mind, it is the compassion which does not feel empathy, or pity or sadness, but the joy that each person being helped can by his own efforts reach Awakening. It is not false love, but a benevolent love which has not a grain of selfishness, not an element of domination and not an iota of egoism which permits the dependence of others.
Bodhicitta is not judgmental, nor does it build expectations. Indeed, to the contrary, it is rich in true equanimity avoiding an intellectual indifference.
Bodhicitta is free from Dual Thoughts. There is neither good nor bad. There is only the natural and correct that is free of the mind and the slavery of words.
Bodhicitta, however, is not a doctrine, it is a state of mind. There is no ritual or ceremony involved; all comes from the heart, which is the pure mind.
Bodhicitta starts with correct attention and the lightest subtle energy, but the body is energized. Slowly natural Bodhichitta arises and the true Bodhisattva is awakened. It generates an inner experience which appears completely individual, but it is not, for just as Suffering is Universal, Gladness, Compassion and Benevolent Love are also Universal.
Bodhicitta is not worn like a medal and few may be aware of its presence. Likewise a Bodhisattva walks among all without being recognized.
Bodhicitta knows no mental bounds it arises in he who is Theravadin, Mahayana, Vajrayana, Tien Tai or Chan. It has no color nor limitations. It has no age. It arises in every human creature who recognizes its presence and has the courage to reach inside and liberate it.
The Bodhisattva walks through the shadows, of the valley of Mara, hearing the cries of false happiness and suffering without apprehension, for Bodhicitta is with him.
Just as there are two basic levels of being a Bodhisattva, there are two levels of bodhicitta:
(1) The of aspiration level
(2) The engaged level
The Aspiration of Bodhicitta:
This is the sincere and complete wish to overcome our own visceral, emotional and mental impediments to realise our full potential to bring all fellow beings to the Awakened state. It arises in two stages:
1) The initial sincere impulse to become a Bodhisattva, awakening all that is natural, to benefit all sentient beings.
2) The natural development of a sincere spoken or unspoken pledge never to abandon this aim until it is achieved.
The Engagement of Bodhicitta:
This means that after taking or internalizing this natural Bodhisattva pledge, the person engages in the practices and behaviour that bring about refined and excellent Bodhicitta and restrains from all attitudes, intentions and actions detrimental to it.
The Daily Reinforcement of Bodhicitta
1) Each day and evening recall and understand the advantages of Bodhicitta motivation.
2) Reaffirm and intensify this motivation by re-dedicating (three times day and evening) the pure mind to your own Awakening and that of others.
3) Each day strive to build up positive mental states and a deep awareness and develop the subtle wisdom and meditation that leads to Awakening.
4) Each day benefit and help others using all the skills and means at our disposal, as effectively as you can, and do so with as much deep awareness of reality as is possible, understanding that one is not helping an individual, but helping in each action every sentient creature. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
5) Maintain the constant wish to do so, no matter how difficult the task is, and refrain from judging the person who is to be helped. It is essential to understand that the root Buddha Nature of one is the nature of all.
6) See that there is potential Bodhicitta in every single intention, no matter how small it may be.