By Lewis Gwilt
In diving into Buddhism and the ideal of the bodhisattva, it is impossible to avoid bodhichitta. But what is bodhichitta, why is it so integral to the bodhisattva path and how can we begin to develop it?
Bodhichitta as the mind of enlightenment
Bodhichitta is known as the “mind of enlightenment”. This is a literal translation – ‘bodhi’ means enlightenment and ‘chitta’ mind. It is a mind free from the conception of being a self which exists and acts independently.
Such a quality of mind means that we do not act selfishly at the expense of harming others. This epitomises the spirit of bodhichitta, striving for enlightenment not for self-gain but the sincere wish to liberate all beings.
Why is it integral?
Those who possess this rare quality (sattva) of mind are known as bodhisattvas. To spread the Dharma authentically, bodhisattvas seek to cultivate the wisdom of emptiness – that suffering has arisen from the belief in an intrinsic self.
Through their many skilful means for teaching the Dharma, bodhisattvas can free other beings from suffering. As the embodiment of the Dharma itself, bodhisattvas epitomise compassion. This is why compassion is the jewel of bodhichitta.
How can we develop it?
One way we can develop bodhichitta is by analysing our relationship with ourselves and other beings. By investigating our self-perception, we can assess whether it has an existence of its own or is dependent on other factors.
Compassion naturally arises when we remind ourselves that all beings suffer. Any animosity or partiality we feel is not inherent but what we project, shaping our perception of others in the process.
Our self-perception determines how we relate to ourselves, and our treatment of others reflects how we view them. Investigating both helps us see that they are constructed by ideas we hold about them we take to be true.
A meditation method for developing Bodhicitta by Geshe Namdak.
The jewel of bodhichitta
Bodhichitta shows us that we are truly interconnected. To be compassionate towards other beings, we have to work on ourselves. This means that any act or practice of compassion is mutually beneficial.
The fact that the beliefs we have influence how we treat each other dispels the myth that we are separate. Cultivating bodhichitta is the key to realising that our separateness from the world and each other is only imagined.
With the wisdom of emptiness, which goes hand in hand with bodhichitta, we are in the best position to help free all beings from their suffering and spread the truth of the Dharma.
If you are interested in learning more about how to develop bodhichitta, you are welcome to register online or in-person for our new weekly course launching next Monday.
