Bodhicitta in the Perspective of Mahamudra

The way of the bodhisattva follows, simultaneously, two complementary trainings:

Discernment (Prajna), and compassionate benevolence (Maitri/Karuna), they are known as Bodhicitta, the enlightened mind attitude.

Intention:

The deep longing for enlightenment rises from the understanding that all beings are interconnected and conditioned by their karmic tendencies, pulled and pushed by their afflictive emotions that prevents them from ever achieving peace.

Acknowledging this reality, we aspire to obtain the capacity to help all beings out of suffering towards the genuine happiness of Buddhahood.

Practice:

1/Discernment:

As the teachings about meditation from different Buddhist traditions become accessible in our society, as well as the different adaptations of the now trendy mindfulness practices, confusion grows about what the terms calm abiding (samatha) and insight meditation (vipashyana) truly cover.

In some contexts samatha demonstrates the word meditation (dhyana, samten), while vipashyana points to discriminating knowledge (prajna, sherab). Although stillness of mind generally is samatha, vipashyana does not depend exclusively upon this state of stillness.

One should understand what samatha and vipashyana mean in the general vehicles (Shravakayana and Mahayana), and what these terms primarily mean in the context of the Mahamudra system of definitive meaning (ngedön).

Their respective characteristics are mentioned in the Cloud of Jewels Sutra:

Samatha is one-pointed attention.

Vipashyana is the individual discrimination of phenomena, correctly and exactly as they are.

 In terms of their function, the sutra continues:

Samatha pacifies afflictive emotions,

While Vipashyana is utterly purifying them.

In this way, both are causes for nirvana.

2/ Compassionate benevolence

We will give birth to it by the meditation of Sending and Taking (Tonglen), as indicated in Shantideva’s seminal work, The Way of the Bodhisattva:

Those desiring speedily to be
A refuge for themselves and others

Should make the interchange of “I” and “other,”
And thus embrace a sacred mystery.

 Readings:

 Study and practice will be based on two books by Kunzig Shamar Rinpoche:

The Path to Awakening and Boundless Wisdom

We are preparing the course in confidence that it will take place. We won’t be able to make the final decision until June. We ask for your understanding.