Explore/Chapter 2 - Confession of Negativity: Difference between revisions
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Inspired by the qualities of this jewel-like bodhicitta and the amazing practices of the bodhisattva, our interest is now raised to enter into this Mahāyāna path. | Inspired by the qualities of this jewel-like bodhicitta and the amazing practices of the bodhisattva, our interest is now raised to enter into this Mahāyāna path. | ||
Although we may be enthusiastic to get going on the path, at the beginning obstacles may lie in our way. Dungkar Rinpoche Lobsang Trinley, in his ''Introduction to the Way of the Bodhisattva'', mentions that when beginning our engagement in any spiritual activity, our progress will be best facilitated by two important practices—accumulating merit and purifying the negative actions that we have performed.<ref>Dungkar Rinpoche Lobsang Trinley, ''An Introduction to the Bodhicaryāvatāra'', ''Spyod 'jug gi gzhung gi ngo sprod'' (Dharamsala: Sara Tibetan Publishing House, 2017), 40.</ref> | Although we may be enthusiastic to get going on the path, at the beginning obstacles may lie in our way. Dungkar Rinpoche Lobsang Trinley, in his ''Introduction to the Way of the Bodhisattva'', mentions that when beginning our engagement in any spiritual activity, our progress will be best facilitated by two important practices—accumulating merit and purifying the negative actions that we have performed.<ref>Dungkar Rinpoche Lobsang Trinley, ''An Introduction to the Bodhicaryāvatāra'', ''Spyod 'jug gi gzhung gi ngo sprod'' (Dharamsala: Sara Tibetan Publishing House, 2017), 40.</ref> Chapters 2 and 3 of ''The Way of the Bodhisattva'' is basically divided into these two sections, although chapter 3 is also concerned with practices related to merit. | ||
In the ''Bodhicaryāvatāra'' the practice of accumulating merit is explained through the classical seven-limb prayer [LINK to terms]. This is also referred to as the supreme worship (Skt. ''annutara pūja'') and includes a series of religious activities such as rejoicing in the merit of others, making offerings, and dedicating our own merit to other beings' awakening. It provides us with a complete form of daily religious practice. Chapters 2 and 3 basically cover the branches of practice of the seven-limb prayer, with this second chapter containing the first three branches of the practice—prostration or paying homage, making offerings, and the confession of negative actions. | |||
In the ''Bodhicaryāvatāra'' the practice of accumulating merit is explained through the classical seven-limb prayer. This is | |||
Chapters | |||
The first section of the chapter deals with making offerings of the physical actions of our body, the verbal actions of our speech, and and the mental actions of our mind. We make these offerings to the Three Jewels—the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. | The first section of the chapter deals with making offerings of the physical actions of our body, the verbal actions of our speech, and and the mental actions of our mind. We make these offerings to the Three Jewels—the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. | ||
