In Praise of Great Compassion

{{LibraryItem
|Editorial=No
|TileDescription=The fifth volume of the Library of Wisdom and Compassion concerns opening our hearts and generating the intention to make our lives meaningful by benefiting others.
|FullRead=No
|ExcerptPages=The Four Immeasurables
|DisableRedirects=No
|TableOfContents=*{{i|Preface|xi}}
*{{i|Abbreviations|xvii}}
*{{i|Introduction|1}} 

*{{i|1. THE FOUR IMMEASURABLES|3}}
**{{i|The Four Immeasurables in the Pāli Tradition|3}}
**{{i|The Three Higher Trainings and the Four Immeasurables|4}}
**{{i|Introduction to the Four Divine Abodes|6}}
**{{i|Meditation on Love|11}}
**{{i|Counteracting Animosity and Anger|13}}
**{{i|Continuing the Meditation on Love|19}}
**{{i|Cultivating Love Benefits Self and Others|23}}
**{{i|Meditation on Compassion|27}}
**{{i|Meditation on Empathic Joy|29}}
**{{i|Meditation on Equanimity|29}}
**{{i|Types of Equanimity|31}}
**{{i|The Four Divine Abodes and Insight|33}}
**{{i|Near and Far Enemies of the Four Immeasurables|35}}
**{{i|The Four Immeasurables in the Mahāyāna|38}}
**{{i|The Four Immeasurables in the Vajrayāna|45}}
**{{i|An Intimate Feeling with All Beings|46}}

*{{i|2. THE ALTRUISTIC INTENTION OF BODHICITTA|49}}
**{{i|The Fundamental Vehicle and Mahāyāna|49}}
**{{i|The Ultimate Purpose of Dharma Practice|52}}
**{{i|What Is Bodhicitta?|54}} 
**{{i|The Causes of Bodhicitta|58}} 
**{{i|The Benefits of Bodhicitta|62}}
**{{i|Bodhisattvas as Inspiring Role Models|67}}
**{{i|Two Types of Mahāyāna Disciples|69}} 

*{{i|3. HOW TO CULTIVATE BODHICITTA: THE SEVEN CAUSE-AND-EFFECT INSTRUCTIONS|75}} 
**{{i|The Seven Cause-and-Effect Instructions|76}}
**{{i|Training the Mind to Be Intent on Others' Well-Being|78}}
**{{i|Developing the Attitude That Is Intent on Others' Welfare Bodhicitta|91}}

*{{i|4. EQUALIZING AND EXCHANGING SELF AND OTHERS|117}}
**{{i|Equalizing Self and Others|118}}
**{{i|The Disadvantages of Self-Centeredness|124}}
**{{i|Benefits of Cherishing Others|128}}
**{{i|Exchanging Self and Others|131}}
**{{i|Using Jealousy, Competition, and Arrogance in the Exchange|136}}
**{{i|How to View the Body|138}}
**{{i|Taking and Giving|140}}
**{{i|True Practitioners|145}}
**{{i|Comparing and Combining the Two Methods|146}}

*{{i|5. BECOMING A BODHISATTVA|149}} 
**{{i|The Self-Centered Attitude and Self-Grasping Ignorance|149}}
**{{i|Self-Interest and Self-Confidence|152}}
**{{i|Integrating the View with Bodhicitta|153}}
**{{i|Who Can Generate Bodhicitta?|156}}
**{{i|Definite and Indefinite Lineage|157}}
**{{i|Can Bodhicitta Degenerate?|158}}
**{{i|Signs of Irreversibility|159}}
**{{i|Classifications of Bodhicitta|160}}

*{{i|6. HOMAGE TO GREAT COMPASSION|171}} 
**{{i|Compassion Is the Root of All Goodness|172}}
**{{i|The Three Principal Causes of Bodhisattvas|176}}
**{{i|Compassion Observing Sentient Beings|182}}
**{{i|Compassion Observing Phenomena|188}}
**{{i|Compassion Observing the Unapprehendable|192}}
**{{i|Combining Wisdom and Compassion|199}}

*{{i|7. ASPIRING AND ENGAGING BODHICITTA|207}} 
**{{i|Identifying Aspiring and Engaging Bodhicitta|207}}
**{{i|The Ceremony for Generating Aspiring Bodhicitta|210}}
**{{i|Guidelines of Aspiring Bodhicitta|213}}
**{{i|Engaging Bodhicitta|216}}
**{{i|Taking the Bodhisattva Vow|218}} 
**{{i|The Bodhisattva Ethical Code in the Tibetan Tradition|223}}
**{{i|A Kind Heart|236}}

*{{i|8. LOVE, COMPASSION, AND BODHICITTA IN CHINESE BUDDHISM|239}}
**{{i|Love and Compassion - Prerequisites to Bodhicitta|239}}
**{{i|Causes and Conditions to Generate Bodhicitta|244}}
**{{i|Ten Factors to Spur the Generation of Bodhicitta|247}}
**{{i|Vasubandhu on Cultivating Bodhicitta and the Bodhisattva Vow|258}}
**{{i|Exhortation to Resolve on Buddhahood|262}}
**{{i|Cultivating the Three Types of Mind and the Five Great Vows|264}}
**{{i|The Four Great Vows| 272}}
**{{i|The Bodhisattva Ethical Code in Chinese Buddhism|274}}
**{{i|The Bodhisattva Ethical Code in Japanese Buddhism|282}}
**{{i|Bodhicitta, True Suchness, and Buddha Nature|283}}
**{{i|The Five Stages of Cultivating Bodhicitta|284}}

*{{i|9. BODHICITTA AND BODHISATTVAS IN THE PĀLI TRADITION|287}}
**{{i|Compassion|287}}
**{{i|The Compassion of Arhats and Śrāvaka Learners|290}}
**{{i|Compassion in Daily Life|291}}
**{{i|Levels of Love and Compassion|296}}
**{{i|The Bodhisattva Path|297}}
**{{i|The Bodhisattva in Pāli Literature|300}}
**{{i|For the Success of Bodhicitta|305}} 

*{{i|10. MIND TRAINING|309}}
**{{i|Taking Adversity into the Path|311}}
**{{i|Specific Advice for Difficult Situations|315}}
**{{i|A Lifetime's Practice|320}}
**{{i|The Commitments and Precepts of Mind Training|322}}
**{{i|Gāthās to Train the Mind|334}}

*{{i|Notes|345}} 
*{{i|Glossary|353}}
*{{i|Recommended Reading|367}}
*{{i|Index|371}} 
*{{i|About the Authors|393}}
|CheckQuotes=No
|TermTopics=Arousing Bodhicitta; Mind Training; Tonglen; Compassion; Four Immeasurables
|TermMentions=Anger; Meditation; tathatā; Buddha-Nature
|PeopleMentions=Vasubandhu
|Theme=Discover introduction; The Practices of the Bodhisattva; The Path of the Bodhisattva
|SubTheme=Bodhicitta (introduction); Preliminary Practices; The Bodhisattva Vow; The Seven Branch Offering; Mind Training; Tonglen: Exchanging Oneself and Others; Bodhicitta; Cultivating Discipline and Patience; Cultivating Concentration; Cultivating Generosity; Meditation on Selflessness; Cultivating Wisdom; Cultivating Discipline; Cultivating Patience
|Approach=Dharma
|Audience=Beginner; Intermediate
}}