First comes Bodhicitta

A Bodhisattva is a Bodhisattva on the grounds of ‘producing the mind that is bodhi’ (bodhicittotpada).  The endeavor or resolution (pranidhâna) to win supreme enlightenment does not come before the production of the mind that is bodhi (hereafter, Bodhicitta).  Incidentally, the Sanskrit word, pranidhâna can mean the following:  application employment, exertion, endeavor, respectful behavior, towards, submission to the will of; profound meditation; vehement desire; vow.  

The mind that is bodhi, i.e., Bodhicitta, is more like a seed in the beginning—but still a profound seed.  In fact, we are implicitly Buddhas with Bodhicitta according to the Avatamsaka Sutra.  And when we take into consideration that this precious seed has to be cultivated and protected to grow properly, pranidhâna comes into play.  We cannot not reach supreme Buddhahood without applying (pranidhâna) ourselves to expanding Bodhicitta.  This is the task of a genuine Bodhisattva. This is also what prajña-paramita is about, the perfection of discernment:  the ability to distinguish Buddha Mind from illusory, empty phenomena.

Another point worth making on this same track, one does not need to go to a Zen center and go through a ceremony such as receiving the Bodhisattva precepts (generally called “jukai” which refers to the Bodhisattva precepts).  This is simply a ritual.  By just receiving the Bodhisattva precepts the recipient has not actually attained the profound state of Bodhicitta.  In the Samdhinirmocana Sutra Bodhicitta is described as,

“beyond this world, cannot be formulated by concept or speech, is extremely radiant, the image of the Ultimate, immaculate, unshakable, and very bright like the steady glow of a lamp on a calm night.”

I would add to this that Bodhiicitta is beyond determination.  This means that it does not fall within the Five Aggregates (pañcaskandha), the twelve âyatanas (elements of sense-perception), including the eighteen dhatus (physical elements).  It is utterly increate and dynamic.

 

Comments

[MStrinado]

Another gem...thanks!