Explore/Chapter 2 - Confession of Negativity: Difference between revisions
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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 [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. | ||
<h4>Making Offerings</h4> | <h4>1. Making Offerings</h4> | ||
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. | ||
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<h4>Homage</h4> | <h4>2. Homage</h4> | ||
The verses of homage and prostration come after the verses of offering. | The verses of homage and prostration come after the verses of offering. | ||
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Bringing to mind the qualities of those Three Jewels, Śāntideva physically and mentally prostrates to them. He imagines himself to have innumerable bodies, as innumerable as there are atoms in the universe, and respectfully recites the words of homage. The chapter then goes on to discuss the Buddhist method of taking refuge in the Three Jewels [LINK to terms]. | Bringing to mind the qualities of those Three Jewels, Śāntideva physically and mentally prostrates to them. He imagines himself to have innumerable bodies, as innumerable as there are atoms in the universe, and respectfully recites the words of homage. The chapter then goes on to discuss the Buddhist method of taking refuge in the Three Jewels [LINK to terms]. | ||
<h4>Refuge</h4> | <h4>3. Refuge</h4> | ||
Refuge is the key orientation for Buddhists and is essential in considering oneself a Buddhist. We place our trust in the Three Jewels and commit to relying on them regardless of what is happening in our lives. It is not just a request seeking help when times are hard but an understanding of the qualities of the Three Jewels, particularly the Dharma Jewel, which is said to be the real refuge. | Refuge is the key orientation for Buddhists and is essential in considering oneself a Buddhist. We place our trust in the Three Jewels and commit to relying on them regardless of what is happening in our lives. It is not just a request seeking help when times are hard but an understanding of the qualities of the Three Jewels, particularly the Dharma Jewel, which is said to be the real refuge. | ||
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There are two main causes of refuge. One is the fear of the suffering that is an inevitable consequence of the negative actions we have done. The other cause is to understand that the Three Jewels have the power to protect us from those sufferings. | There are two main causes of refuge. One is the fear of the suffering that is an inevitable consequence of the negative actions we have done. The other cause is to understand that the Three Jewels have the power to protect us from those sufferings. | ||
<h4>Confession of Our Negative Actions</h4> | <h4>4. Confession of Our Negative Actions</h4> | ||
The second half of chapter 2 explains the next branch of the seven-limb prayer, confession. Of course, we must strive from the beginning in trying not to engage in negative actions. Even whilst following the path we may stumble, whether through carelessness or our many afflictions, but it is not suitable to thoughtlessly just leave our negative actions unconfessed. Confession means literally "laying aside" or "laying down or putting down" all negative actions of body, speech, and mind that we have performed in the past. It is a combined process of acknowledging our faults, honestly admitting to them and disclosing them, and then laying them aside and letting go of them. | The second half of chapter 2 explains the next branch of the seven-limb prayer, confession. Of course, we must strive from the beginning in trying not to engage in negative actions. Even whilst following the path we may stumble, whether through carelessness or our many afflictions, but it is not suitable to thoughtlessly just leave our negative actions unconfessed. Confession means literally "laying aside" or "laying down or putting down" all negative actions of body, speech, and mind that we have performed in the past. It is a combined process of acknowledging our faults, honestly admitting to them and disclosing them, and then laying them aside and letting go of them. | ||
