ATIKOPA


Generate Bodhicitta

Vast Compassion

A momentary motivation filled with boundless compassion is "Bodhicitta". The difference between Mahayana and Hinayana lies in the presence or absence of "Bodhicitta".
Shantideva, in his *Bodhicharyavatara*, reveals the concepts of "aspirational Bodhicitta" and "practice Bodhicitta." Shantideva states, "For the sake of all sentient beings being liberated from the suffering of samsara and ultimately attaining Buddhahood, I vow, like the Buddhas of the past and the eight great Bodhisattvas, to perform all virtuous deeds until I attain Buddhahood; and after attaining Buddhahood, I vow to use my body, speech, and mind, according to my abilities, to perform altruistic deeds until the cycle of rebirth is forever ended." This thought constitutes "aspirational Bodhicitta." Possessing "aspirational Bodhicitta," engaging in any physical or verbal activity—such as mantra recitation, chanting Buddha's name, reciting scriptures, reciting Bodhicitta prayers, prostrations, circumambulating stupas, pilgrimages, or meditation—is "practice Bodhicitta."
"Bodhicitta" is the most supreme "key" to skillful means of doing good. Repentance with Bodhicitta can completely eliminate karmic obstacles and hindrances. Otherwise, while formal repentance can reduce karmic obstacles and hindrances, it cannot completely eliminate them.
In his "Entering the Middle Way," Chandrakirti states, "Bodhicitta is the source of all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. By performing virtuous deeds through Bodhicitta, one will surely attain Buddhahood; without Bodhicitta, it is like trying to cook sand—it is impossible to make rice, and the attainment of Buddhahood is hopeless." Therefore, if one possesses Bodhicitta and accumulates merit and wisdom, one will surely obtain a perfect and ultimate result; otherwise, the accumulation of merit will be slow and incomplete. This is the supreme key to Mahayana Buddhism's ability to gather all its superior qualities in one place.

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