Newsletter No. 19 - February 2006

"There are two types of Bodhicitta: one is to wish to achieve enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings and the second is not to just wish to do this but also to wish to practice the Dharma to actively gain enlightenment for all sentient beings. So these are the two Principal Bodhicittas.

There are many different examples of practice and these are at different levels. However all these Bodhicittas practices are within the two types. The first one requires a positive mind whereas the second requires a commitment to practice and not just the wish to achieve enlightenment. One must start by taking the Bodhisattva Vow through a ceremony and this is part of the Mahayana Tradition. Taking the vows is not enough, as Bodhisattva practice is part of Mahayana practice. First you should also go to take Refuge understanding and accepting the purpose and reason to become a Buddhist

There are many different purposes but the main one is that we are in a cyclic existence full of unwanted things, which do not fulfil our wishes. We are not happy in this cyclic existence - we would wish there was another place to go but we can't find that place. So you must first have the wish to leave this Universe and have no attachment, not only the sufferings but also any fortunate circumstances. All things are included in non-attachment, which form part of the commitment of taking Refuge.

The purpose of taking Refuge is to find liberation with the help of the Triple Gem (Buddha Dharma and Sangha). So if you want liberation in this Universe we must be free of samsara. From beginningless time we have been attached to this Universe and because of that we cannot practice the Dharma. So it's not just the wish but active practice to be liberated from this place. If there were no method to be liberated there would be no point in even wishing for this; we might just as well wish to go to the moon.

So you must know that there is the possibility as we will be reborn again to face more cyclical suffering. So the life of our mind comes from beginningless time and goes on continually. Now we want to liberate this mind from this cyclical existence. Our physical body will be finished one day, so we don't have to liberate that. We have to liberate our mind, which is essentially pure; the defilements need to be removed. The defilements are like the husk of rice and we have to remove it to eat the rice. So we have to clean our minds to gain enlightenment by removing the 'husk' or defilements. If you do not remove the defilements they will not leave your mind. We need to clean our minds and have the examples of all the Buddhas and enlightened beings (Bodhisattvas). They were all like us, sentient beings, living in Samsara and suffered as we do. But through their practice they achieved liberation and enlightenment. So in this way we can also be like the Buddhas and enlightened beings.

So the two reasons to have in one's mind when taking the Bodhisattva Vow. The wishing comes first then entering Bodhisattva practice. Its like you wish to visit London then you want to go there and when you are traveling there the wishes still remain. Similarly, when you wish to enter onto the path the wish is still there together with actively practicing to achieve the goal of becoming a Bodhisattva. The two wishes will remain until enlightenment.

The Bodhisattva practice means developing the right attitude and practicing virtuous deeds through the Dharma. Developing compassion is the most important part of becoming a Bodhisattva and following the Six Paramitas is part of this practice. The Six Paramitas are generosity, morality, patience, joyful effort, concentration and wisdom. Bodhisattvas have two categories of practice; one is for one's own purpose which is to achieve enlightenment (Six Paramitas to become perfect through practice) and the collecting practices. To teach the Dharma, Helping others to practice the Dharma, Sharing one's practice and communicating good Dharma practice. This helps you deal with sentient beings and develop your practice so you can benefit others.

So these are the main practices of the Bodhicittas."            Lama Jamyang Lekshey