Why Does Letting Go of the Self Bring Happiness?
In reality, there is no inherently existent "self" to abandon. So what is there to let go of? When the mind clearly sees that within the mental continuum there is no entity called ‘self’--that is the abandonment of self. The "self" is nothing more than a manifestation of ignorance.
The Trials of Favorable and Adverse Circumstances for Bodhicitta
When genuine and powerful bodhicitta is truly aroused, its transformative effects naturally manifest within one's mental continuum. Once these effects arise, doubt gradually disappears, and letting go of self-centeredness becomes entirely natural, because it no longer feels like a painful sacrifice.
Genuine Practice Lies in Putting the Teachings into Practice
To actualize this instruction means applying it in every situation one encounters. To integrate it into one's mental continuum means constantly examining whether one's thoughts and actions truly accord with the teachings. This is what genuine practice is. By doing so day after day, they gradually became great accomplished masters without even realizing it.
The Buddha Dharma Has Power—We Just Don't Take It Seriously
Ultimately, we study Buddhism in pursuit of happiness—both temporary happiness and ultimate happiness. But as long as we continue clinging to the self, we will never experience the happiness taught in the Buddhadharma, nor will the immeasurable qualities described in The Bodhicaryāvatāra ever manifest.
Do Not Let Time Quietly Slip Away in Meaningless Entanglements
To follow the path of the Bodhisattvas is to learn to willingly accept loss, and to learn how to transform afflictions amid apparent disadvantage, until ultimately there remains no “loss” left to endure.
What is the Greatest Function of Conventional Bodhicitta?
Conventional bodhicitta serves many specific functions. When the mind are dedicated to benefiting others and fully focused on sentient beings, it produces one especially profound effect: it suppresses self-grasping (ātmagrāha). The suppression of self-grasping naturally gives rise to happiness, because the root of all suffering is precisely self-grasping.
Characteristics of Bodhicitta (Part Three)
Wrong views give rise to extremely destructive actions, harming both others and oneself. Those who genuinely uphold and practice the law of karma, however, are different. They cultivate kindness, treat others with goodwill, and practice generosity. As these wholesome actions gradually accumulate, they naturally experience greater inner peace and serenity.
Why Does Conceptual Bodhicitta Make Us Suffer?
Imagine two people who both need a sum of money. A self-centered person finds happiness only in obtaining the money personally; another person's gain or loss has nothing to do with them. Someone who has genuinely generated bodhicitta, however, discovers that seeing another person receive the money brings even greater joy than receiving it oneself.
Is Seeing the Guru as a Buddha a Form of Blind Worship?
If even the yellow flowers are manifestations of the nature of mind, then naturally your guru is also an expression of that same nature, and therefore also Buddha. Thus, seeing the guru as a Buddha has a profound philosophical basis. Unfortunately, many people do not study these principles and instead engage in blind worship.
Knowing We Lack Bodhicitta, What Comes Next?
When a person's bodhicitta becomes truly genuine, it naturally manifests in certain ways. Such a person becomes gentle and soft-hearted, and comes to understand that all the mistakes of others are worthy of forgiveness.
The Real Reason for Insufficient Spiritual Capacity
Therefore, to completely fail to understand one’s own mind, while also making no effort to observe it, is precisely what is meant by insufficient spiritual capacity.
Why Do We Always Assume We Have Bodhicitta?
Generating bodhicitta is never a bad thing. As the saying goes: "If you wish to benefit yourself in the long run, the key is to benefit others for the time being." Whether your bodhicitta is genuine or not, at the very least, at the moment you arouse it, your intention is directed toward benefiting others. Ultimately, however, the Mahāyāna path is about benefiting others forever.
What Truly Obstructs Our Spiritual Practice Is Insufficient Bodhicitta
Someone who has genuinely generated Mahāyāna bodhicitta is no longer preoccupied with theirown feelings. What truly matters are your well-being, the well-being of everyone present, and ultimately the well-being of all sentient beings.
Why Years of Bodhicitta Practice Haven't Worked？
Every one of us must learn to exam ourselves. Whether we are cultivating renunciation or generating bodhicitta, one essential principle is paramount : observe your own mind. Only through continual self-examination can we discover whether our aspiration are genuine.
Does Buddhism Permit Seeking Human and Heavenly Blessings?
Does Buddhism permit the seeking of human and heavenly blessings? The answer is yes. However, Buddhism also points out that this orientation is neither complete nor ultimate. Why? Because no matter how perfect such blessings may seem, from the perspective of impermanence, their final outcome is still suffering.
How Can One Obtain Human and Heavenly Blessings Through Buddhism?
Seeking human and heavenly blessings is not especially difficult. One needs only a certain degree of devotion, the keeping of basic ethical precepts, the arising of sincere faith, and the making of offerings within one’s capacity—for example, supporting temples, monastics, and accomplished teachers; making offerings above and giving charity below; releasing animals, practicing generosity, or serving as a volunteer.
Is Enlightenment Meaningful?
Enlightenment is an extraordinarily remarkable attainment. Particularly within Tibetan Buddhism, it signifies the possibility of attaining Buddhahood during the intermediate state (bardo) and becoming forever liberated from saṃsāra. Today, people tend to regard billionaires or presidents as extraordinarily successful, yet from a Buddhist perspective, such achievements are not especially significant.
Most of the Bodhicitta We Generate Is Merely Conceptual Bodhicitta
The greatest characteristic of those who fail to make progress in practice is that they do not observe themselves. One must learn to examine one's own motivation in everything one does. This is extremely difficult, yet at the same time remarkably simple.
Is There an Alternative to Arousing Bodhicitta?
Conversely, without genuine and qualified bodhicitta, it is almost impossible to realize absolute great emptiness. This is because, once realization is attained, it is called ultimate bodhicitta, which must be founded upon fabricated, relative bodhicitta.
Three Supreme Methods: Sincerely Moving Toward Liberation
In essence, the three supreme methods can be summarized as sincerely moving toward liberation. If the pursuit of personal liberation is the aim of the Theravada, then we Mahāyāna practitioners should strive toward Buddhahood with unwavering determination. The attainment of Buddhahood naturally includes personal liberation within it.