Bodhicitta: Practice for a Meaningful Life (Zopa 2019)
From Bodhicitta
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Bodhicitta: Practice for a Meaningful Life (Zopa 2019)
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Description
An accessible, inspiring book on one of the most important topics in Tibetan Buddhism, written by one of its renowned masters who has an international following of thousands.
Bodhichitta is a Sanskrit word meaning “the mind of enlightenment” or “the awakening mind”—the mind that wishes to achieve enlightenment in order to lead all other beings into that same state. It is the attitude of the bodhisattva, of the person who makes the compassionate vow to save others from suffering. In this book, the renowned teacher Lama Zopa Rinpoche shows us how to achieve it.
First, Lama Zopa gives a clear and comprehensive explanation of bodhichitta, its benefits, and its importance to the path. Then, he walks us through the two main methods for achieving bodhichitta: the seven points of cause and effect, and equalizing and exchanging self and others. Finally, the book closes with meditation instructions to guide and strengthen our practice.
Readers will find Bodhichitta to be a comprehensive guide to this core Buddhist principle, one rich in both accessible philosophical explanation and concrete advice for practitioners. (Source: Wisdom Publications)
Citation
Zopa, Thubten. Bodhicitta: Practice for a Meaningful Life. Compiled and edited by Gordon McDougall. Somerville, MA: Wisdom Publications, 2019.
Publisher Link
- Editor's Prefaceix
- Introduction1
- What Is Bodhichitta?3
- The Importance of Bodhichitta7
- The Route to Bodhichitta9
- Part I: The Supreme Medicine
- 1. Bodhichitta Is the Gateway to the Mahayana15
- Bodhichitta and the Whole Buddhist Path17
- Bodhichitta within the Three Principal Aspects of the Path24
- 2. Bodhichitta Is the Real Meaning of Life33
- The Bodhichitta Motivation35
- The Essence of the Perfect Human Rebirth49
- 3. The Ten Benefits of Bodhichitta67
- 1. Bodhichitta Is the Sole Gateway to the Mahayana68
- 2. We Gain the Name "Child of the Buddhas"71
- 3. We Outshine the Arhats73
- 4. We Become a Supreme Object of Offering75
- 5. We Accumulate Enormous Merit78
- 6. We Rapidly Purify Negative Karma83
- 7. We Accomplish Whatever We Wish89
- 8. We Are Not Bothered by Hindrances93
- 9. We Quickly Complete the Path94
- 10. We Become a Source of Happiness for Others98
- Part II Developing Bodhichitta
- 4. An Overview of the Ways to Develop Bodhichitta103
- The Two Main Methods for Developing Bodhichitta103
- Types of Bodhichitta104
- Equanimity107
- 5. The Seven Points of Cause and Effect117
- 1. Recognizing That All Sentient Beings Have Been Our Mother118
- 2. Recalling the Kindness of Those Beings121
- 3. Resolving to Repay That Kindness136
- 4. Developing Loving-Kindness139
- 5. Developing Compassion143
- 6. Attaining the Special Attitude159
- 7. Bodhichitta162
- 6. Equalizing and Exchanging Self and Others167
- The Six Relative Reasons That Self and Others Are Equal168
- The Three Ultimate Reasons That Self and Others Aer Equal181
- The Faults of Self-Cherishing184
- The Need ot Destroy Self-Cherishing197
- The Benefits of Cherishing Others202
- Exchanging Ourselves with Others205
- Conclusion: Becoming a Servant to All Beings217
- Appendices: Bodhicitta Meditations
- 1. The Equanimity Meditation223
- 2. The Mahayana Equilibrium Meditation231
- 3. The Seven Points of Cause and Effect Meditation237
- 4. A Tonglen Meditation247
- 5. A Meditation on Universal Responsibility253
- Glossary257
- Notes285
- Bibliography291
- Index297
- About the Author319
