|
| |
Bodhicitta
In Buddhist thought, bodhicitta (Ch. 菩提心, pudixin, Jp. bodaishin) is the
motivation of a bodhisattva. Etymologically, this is the combination of the
Sanskrit words Bodhi or enlightenment, and Citta - "heartmind", and is sometime
translated as mind of enlightenment. It can be seen as both the means and the
goal: the wish to achieve Buddhahood or full enlightenment, in order to liberate
all sentient beings from suffering.
This concept lies at the basis of Mahayana Buddhism (including the Vajrayana).
(In contrast, according to the Theravada teachings, only very few beings can
ever achieve Buddhahood, so they aim for the liberation of Nirvana as an Arahat.)
Bodhicitta is invariably taught to be selfless determination, as the purpose of
full enlightenment is not for one's own benefit, but for the benefit of all
beings. It is taught that only with the bodhicitta motivation, one can achieve
full enlightenment of a Buddha.
There are two levels of involvement (taking bodhisattva vows) in the practice of
Bodhicitta:
Aspirational Bodhicitta: the desire for enlightenment - similar to wishing to
travel somewhere.
Actual Bodhicitta: practicing for enlightenment - similar to actually traveling
somewhere.
It is also sometimes divided in two different kinds (or two truths):
Relative Bodhicitta - the wish to gain enlightenment to help others, based on
compassion for all (as defined above).
Absolute Bodhicitta - the practice and insight of the wisdom of emptiness or
selflessness, based on Relative Bodhicitta.
In order to become a Buddha, it is necessary to perfect oneself in the practice
of both relative and absolute bodhicitta.
Books
White, Kenneth R. 2005. The Role of Bodhicitta in Buddhist Enlightenment. New
York : The Edwin Mellen Press. [includes translations of the following:
Bodhicitta-sastra, Benkemmitsu-nikyoron, Sammaya-kaijo]
Southern Buddhism
Bodhicitta
Dharmic Religion
Dharma
| |
|