Bodhicitta

In Mahyana (Great Way) Buddhism, bodhicitta is the central, most important motive and practice. The Sanskrit word literally means bodhi=enlightenment and citta=mind. Bodhi has many stages, but the goal is the Bodhi of a Buddha. But to seek Buddhahood just for oneself is not the Mahayana; one is motivated by altruism; the wish to help all beings become Buddhas also. Since every creature has an innate Buddha Nature, that is possible, over many, many lifetimes of course.

Here is a verse in praise of the power & beauty of bodhicitta from the Flower Adornment Sutra (Avatamsaka Sutra):

It produces all Buddhas of the three periods of time;
It achieves all the happiness of the worlds.
Increasing all supreme merit and virtue,
It forever cuts off all doubts and delusions.

Why did Bodhidharma go to China?

allthegoodnamesweretaken wrote:Why did Bodhidharma go to China?

This is neither a rhetorical question, nor a geographical one, but a famous Ch'an Buddhism mind-melter.

Since I am not sage of the Ch'an tradition, nor any tradition, I will leave such cute "witticisms" to be admired by... someone, anyone?

Actually it was a said with the intent of seeing where you were on your path.

allthegoodnamesweretaken wrote:Actually it was a said with the intent of seeing where you were on your path.

Where am I then?

You have to ask.

allthegoodnamesweretaken wrote:You have to ask.

Sure; obviously I am no judge of my path, so when a Sage appears I thirst for being guided.

I am waiting...

It wasn't a question.

Waiting for what? You must find your own path... you can't be led to your own path.

There are not that many options: 1) Your intent to see where I was on my path was satisfied and you refuse to share the insight. 2) Your intent was not satisfied and you still do not know, but will not admit that. 3) You are just trying save face by continuing to hide behind cryptic, short posts. 4) Postings are easily misunderstood by all concerned.

I will scry that #4 is the fact and will get back on topic.

There is a great deal about this teaching online - here is one good site:

http://www.bodhicitta.net/bodhicitta.net-teachings.htm

Q: Why did Bodhidharma go to China?
(yes, you're right, it is not a specific question, but one asked to see what the answer given is)

A: This is neither a rhetorical question, nor a geographical one, but a famous Ch'an Buddhism mind-melter.

Since I am not sage of the Ch'an tradition, nor any tradition, I will leave such cute "witticisms" to be admired by... someone, anyone?

(Pretty much tells me)

Reply All: Actually it was a said with the intent of seeing where you were on your path.

Reply Skull: Where am I then?

Reply All: You have to ask.

(note the sentence structure. I am not asking a question about asking the question. I am commenting on the fact that you are at a place on your path, that you have to ask others what place you are in. Simply put, that you rely on others to tell you where you are. In my opinion, you should know where you are, and not be reliant upon others to tell you)

Reply Skull: Sure; obviously I am no judge of my path, so when a Sage appears I thirst for being guided.

I am waiting...

Reply All: It wasn't a question.

Reply Skull: There are not that many options: 1) Your intent to see where I was on my path was satisfied and you refuse to share the insight. 2) Your intent was not satisfied and you still do not know, but will not admit that. 3) You are just trying save face by continuing to hide behind cryptic, short posts. 4) Postings are easily misunderstood by all concerned.

(Is this clear enough?)



I will scry that #4 is the fact and will get back on topic.

(Go ahead)

all

Skull wrote:

allthegoodnamesweretaken wrote:You have to ask.

Sure; obviously I am no judge of my path, so when a Sage appears I thirst for being guided.

I am waiting...

I should probably stay out of this, but I don't understand what's happening in this conversation.

It seemed to me when Skull said this that s/he was acknowledging that All might well be a Sage who could provide wisdom and guidance to Skull. Skull seemed further to be stating hirself to be in a receptive state with, "I am waiting..."

I certainly agree that postings are often misunderstood. Option #4 seems like a beneficial way to characterize what had been said so far.

Thank you, Skull. Your link was a Sage speaking wisdom and guidance to me.

I am grateful for your offering it to us.

I wasn't saying that Skull was incapable of speaking wisdom and guidance.

And I wasn't saying that I wanted to be or even was speaking wisdom and guidance.

Nor that I wished to be any form of a "sage".

all

I dunno what's going on here either.

I'm of the Theravada path, myself, but I understand I guess why the Bodhicitta idea is considered noble.

I just tend to rub people the wrong way sometimes.

allthegoodnamesweretaken wrote:I just tend to rub people the wrong way sometimes.

Its the claws...

These old things?

The enlightened mind is the goal in many flavorful paths. But we must remember that bodhicitta cannot be found without compassion.

Sometimes those trying to be on the path ... well meaning as they might be.... accidentally shew away potential bodhisattvas (perhaps because they have forgotten to, first, cultivate compassion; the 'true expression of non-violence"~HHDL.)

Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Bodhisattva
Would you take me by the hand
Can you show me
The shine of your Japan
The sparkle of your china
Can you show me
Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
Bodhisattva
I'm gonna sell my house in town
And I'll be there
To shine in your Japan
To sparkle in your China
Yes I'll be there
Bodhisattva

Gorm_Sionnach wrote:

allthegoodnamesweretaken wrote:I just tend to rub people the wrong way sometimes.

Its the claws...

In my religion we don't seek an enlightened mind, we see a relationship with our gods.

gillyflower wrote:In my religion we don't seek an enlightened mind, we see a relationship with our gods.

I used to, but the older I get, and the more I observe people who are getting older (as well as the old), I've reprioritized and find cultivating the mind is the most important thing I can do for myself, as well as others.

I see cultivating the mind and enlightenment as two different things. In my tradition we are supposed to learn and grow, it is part of the Five Points and I take that seriously.

Buddhism & Hinduism A blessed state in which the individual transcends desire and suffering and attains Nirvana.

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