What Is Bodhichitta? (Michie 2024)
Media/What Is Bodhichitta? (Michie 2024)
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Description
Different lamas and lineages place different emphasis on these practices, so that someone new to the Dharma can feel quite overwhelmed. Where to begin?
There is one practice that all lamas will tell you is paramount. A motivation so fundamental that, without it, none of the other practices are nearly so beneficial. But with it, no matter how confused or dim-witted we may be, all becomes possible!
I am talking, of course, about bodhichitta. And I’m happy to share this eight minute video with an introduction to what it is about.
Bodhichitta is the main concept that defines Tibetan Buddhism/mahayana Buddhism
bodhi = enlightened/awakened
chitta/cita = mind/heart
Maitreya’s definition of bodhichitta: For the sake of others, the wish to become enlightened
An example of bodhichitta motivation: “By this act of generosity/purification/love/kindness etc may I become enlightened to lead all other beings to this same state”
Bodhichitta is sometimes called “the mind of infinite altruism” because the number of beings we wish to help is infinite. Our wish is for them to exist in a state beyond all suffering - a motivation far greater than only the satisfaction of mundane needs.
Bodichitta rests on the motivations of love, compassion and equanimity.
Actions motivated by ordinary kindness has a karmic result that reflects the number of beings being helped, and the motivation of the one helping them. Actions motivated by bodhichitta has a karmic result that can never be exhausted because the number of beings recollected is infinite and the motivation is supreme.
Our purpose is to recollect bodhichitta throughout the day in relation to as many actions as possible - making tea/coffee, feeding others, washing, using the bathroom, watering plants etc.
Our objective is to turn ‘bodhichitta’ from an object of the mind - i.e. something we think about, to our subjective mind - the way we see reality. For bodhichitta to become heartfelt and spontaneous.
The idea of this practice is embody bodhichitta in order to transform our actions of body, speech and mind to those of the most authentic, powerful and transcendent kind. (Source Accessed Jan 27, 2025)
