Bodhicitta is the aspiration to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of the rest of human beings. It is what makes you a true follower of the Mahayana tradition.
Once we have Bodhicitta motivation, it is then that we need to practice the six perfections, the current causes to become enlightened. The Sanskrit term is paramita, which means the one who has gone further. To have gone beyond means or refers to the state of enlightenment, the goal of our practice, which is beyond samsara, beyond all suffering and the causes of suffering.
The six perfections are reached when we are enlightened. But training in it we are creating the causes.
These perfections are:
- Give : The desire to give. It is mainly a mental attitude and not so much the act of giving. Sometimes we are not capable of giving, but as long as we have the desire to give, we can practice it. There are 4 ways to give: a) Giving material gifts; food, clothing, money b) Giving protection: saving lives, helping those who are afraid or in danger. c) Giving love, cultivating the desire that all human beings are well and healthy. d) Giving dharma, teaching dharma, reciting prayers for others.
- Ethics . Do not perform negative actions on the body, both in speech and in the mind. Wanting to abandon all negative actions.
- PATIENCE: A calm, positive state of mind can deal with difficult situations without anger. There are 3 types of patience: a) Patience of not getting angry b) Patience of accepting difficulties c) Patience of understanding and practicing dharma.
- THE EASY EFFORT: Enjoy virtuosity, the happiness of doing positive actions and dharmic practices. It is the opposite of laziness, of which there are three types: procrastination, attraction to meaningless activities, and living without courage to follow the heart.
- CONCENTRATION: Keep the mind focused on a single point. To develop concentration we must overcome obstacles such as the forgetful mind, mental agitation and the insipid.
4. WISDOM: There are different types of wisdom, but the main one is that which understands action that is selfless. This is the main factor that will help us free ourselves from samsara, since the root of samsara is self-belief ignorance. Wisdom is the antidote to it.
More information about our training in Matrika Yoga and Personal Development:
Upcoming formations: https://matrikayoga.com/formaciones-yoga-autoconocimiento/
Upcoming retreats: https://matrikayoga.com/retiros-de-yoga/
Two of the most interesting places that exist to study and practice Tibetan Buddhism are:
Kopan Monastery. Kathmandu, Nepal. https://kopanmonastery.com/
The Kopan Monastery is a center for the study and practice of Mahayana Buddhism, based on the Tibetan Gelug tradition of Lama Tsong Khapa. We follow the lineage of our founders, Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche.
Kopan’s mission is to provide opportunities for in-depth study and practice of the Buddha’s teachings for the local community, as well as for Western visitors, through educational programs, prayer sessions, group retreats, and community service. We are committed to creating a harmonious environment to help all beings develop their full potential for infinite wisdom and compassion for the benefit of others, inspired by an attitude of universal responsibility.
The Kopan Monastery is affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) and follows spiritual guidance as provided by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Tushita Meditation Center. Dharamshala, India. http://tushita.info/
In the 1960s, western “seekers” met Lama Thubten Yeshe and her top student Lama Zopa Rinpoche in northern India, and after requesting teachings from the lamas, together they sought a suitable site for instruction.
