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<h3>Introduction</h3> | <h3>Introduction</h3> | ||
The application of bodhicitta in practice is central to the Mahāyāna pursuit of full enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. According to Mahāyāna masters, bodhicitta is a prerequisite for a practice or path to qualify as a Mahāyāna path leading to the state of a fully awakened buddha. Only when the practice is motivated or informed by bodhicitta (byang chub sems kyi rtsis zin pa) can it be considered as a bona fide part of the Mahāyāna path. Thus, the masters strongly recommend the cultivation of the altruistic thought of bodhicitta before any project or activity. This is because, in the Buddhist system, the moral value of an action is determined by the quality of intention or the state of the mind. | The application of bodhicitta in practice is central to the Mahāyāna pursuit of full enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. According to Mahāyāna masters, bodhicitta is a prerequisite for a practice or path to qualify as a Mahāyāna path leading to the state of a fully awakened buddha. Only when the practice is motivated or informed by bodhicitta (''byang chub sems kyi rtsis zin pa'') can it be considered as a bona fide part of the Mahāyāna path. Thus, the masters strongly recommend the cultivation of the altruistic thought of bodhicitta before any project or activity. This is because, in the Buddhist system, the moral value of an action is determined by the quality of intention or the state of the mind. | ||
Buddhist masters teach that mind can be in any of the three states: | Buddhist masters teach that mind can be in any of the three states: | ||
A virtuous state with positive thoughts and emotions, such as thirst for knowledge, devotion, compassion, love, etc. | #A virtuous state with positive thoughts and emotions, such as thirst for knowledge, devotion, compassion, love, etc. | ||
A nonvirtuous state with negative thoughts and emotions, such as arrogance, hatred, jealousy, etc. | #A nonvirtuous state with negative thoughts and emotions, such as arrogance, hatred, jealousy, etc. | ||
A neutral state with neither positive nor negative states of mind. | #A neutral state with neither positive nor negative states of mind. | ||
Furthermore, the virtuous mind can be of three types: | Furthermore, the virtuous mind can be of three types: | ||
An inferior mind wishing happiness and well-being in this mundane world. | #An inferior mind wishing happiness and well-being in this mundane world. | ||
A middling mind wishing a higher state of lasting happiness, fulfilment, and freedom beyond the ordinary world. | #A middling mind wishing a higher state of lasting happiness, fulfilment, and freedom beyond the ordinary world. | ||
A superior mind wishing a higher state of lasting happiness for all sentient beings. | #A superior mind wishing a higher state of lasting happiness for all sentient beings. | ||
This last superior mind is bodhicitta and the one recommended by the Mahāyāna masters before beginning any project or activity. | This last superior mind is bodhicitta and the one recommended by the Mahāyāna masters before beginning any project or activity. | ||
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