As long as sentient beings remain…
MAY I TOO REMAIN
May the fearful become fearless;
May those oppressed by grief find joy;
May those who are anxious
Be rid of their anxiety and feel secure.May health come to the sick;
May they be free from every bondage;
May those who are weak find strength,
Their minds tender towards each other.As long as space remains,
As long as sentient beings remain,
Until then, May I too remain
And help dispel the miseries of the world.
SOURCE: The Dalai Lama. Toward a True Kinship of Faiths: How the World’s Religions Can Come Together. Doubleday Religion, 2010, p. 183 [Shantideva, Bodhicaryavatara, Chapter X].
Shantideva, Bodhicaryavatara, Chapter X
“The only appropriate, responsible, and effective way to live in this undeniable reality [of the world we live in] is to follow the principles of compassion. At a minimum, each of us must live our life upholding the regard for others at our core. Let me end with the beautiful words of Shantideva [see the passage quoted above]–May peace and happiness prevail everywhere!”
―Dalai Lama XIV [Toward a True Kinship of Faiths (Conclusion)] pp. 182-183.
The Dalai Lama on Generating Bodhichitta
“On my part, I cannot claim to have realized bodhichitta. However, I have a deep admiration for bodhichitta. I feel that the admiration I have for bodhichitta is my wealth and a source of my courage. This is also the basis of my happiness; it is what enables me to make others happy, and it is the factor that makes me feel satisfied and content. I am thoroughly dedicated and committed to this altruistic ideal. Whether sick or well, growing old, or even at the point of death, I shall remain committed to this ideal. I am convinced that I will always maintain my deep admiration for this ideal of generating the altruistic mind of bodhichitta. On your part too, my friends, I would like to appeal to you to try to become as familiar as possible with bodhichitta. Strive, if you can, to generate such an altruistic and compassionate state of mind.
Actual realization of bodhichitta requires years of meditative practice. In some cases, it may take eons to have this realization. It is not adequate simply to have an intellectual understanding of what bodhichitta is. Nor is it sufficient to have an intuitive feeling like, “May all sentient beings attain the fully enlightened state.” These are not realizations of bodhichitta. Even so, I think it is worth it, for what more profound practice of dharma is there? As Shantideva states:
For like the supreme substance of the alchemists,
It takes the impure form of human flesh
And makes of it the priceless body of a buddha.
Such is bodhichitta: we should grasp it firmly!”― Dalai Lama XIV [Practicing Wisdom: The Perfection of Shantideva’s Bodhisattva Way. Translated and edited by Thupten Jinpa. © 2004 Tenzin Gyatso].
“If you feel hesitant about being able to observe the bodhisattva vows, then it is best not to make the pledge; you can still generate an altruistic mind and wish that all sentient beings may be happy and pray that you may be able to attain full enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. This should be sufficient; you will gain the merit of generating bodhichitta, but you do not have to follow the precepts. Also, there is less danger of breaking the vows. So if you do not take any vows, you simply develop aspirational bodhichitta. You can be your own judge.
With the wish to free all beings
I shall always go for refuge
To the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha,
Until I reach full enlightenment.Enthused by wisdom and compassion
Today in the Buddha’s presence
I generate the mind for full awakening
For the benefit of all sentient beings.As long as space remains,
As long as sentient beings remain,
Until then, may I too remain
and dispel the miseries of the world.”― Dalai Lama XIV [Practicing Wisdom: The Perfection of Shantideva’s Bodhisattva Way. Translated and edited by Thupten Jinpa. © 2004 Tenzin Gyatso].
RESOURCES
- Toward a True Kinship of Faiths: How the World’s Religions Can Come Together by Dalai Lama XIV, goodreads website
- The Dalai Lama, A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, days 1-3
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tues mar 28 2023 7a cDt mgy al REmbr… G is, as G can only BE. GOOD
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