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The Home of Tibetan Buddhist Texts in Translation
ISSN 2753-4812
ISSN 2753-4812

Bodhicitta Series

Bodhicitta

English (15) | Deutsch (5) | Español (9) | Français (9) | Português (5) | 中文 (1) | བོད་ཡིག (15)

O precious and sublime bodhicitta,

May it arise in those in whom it has not arisen,

May it never decline where it has arisen,

But go on increasing, further and further!

Texts on the subject of bodhicitta (byang chub sems), which (on the relative level, at least) is the compassionate wish to attain enlightenment for the sake of all living beings—and has been variously translated into English as 'thought of enlightenment', 'awakening-mind', 'spirit of awakening', etc.

Advice

by Trulshik Rinpoche
This short instruction on relative and absolute bodhicitta was composed at the request of the English monk Tenzin Jamchen (Sean Price).
Advice 7 Jun 2018

Aspirations

by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
This prayer of aspiration for training the mind in bodhicitta by exchanging all the world's suffering for genuine happiness is based on Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye's longer text, The Gateway to the Ocean of Bodhicitta.
Mind Training (Lojong) Aspiration Prayers 7 May 2015
by Nyoshul Lungtok
In this short text, the celebrated Dzogchen teacher Nyoshul Lungtok Tenpe Nyima offers a prayer to the root and lineage gurus and all the buddhas and bodhisattvas requesting their blessings and inspiration so that we might perfect the cultivation of bodhicitta in all its aspects.
Aspiration Prayers 28 Oct 2015
by Patrul Rinpoche
This prayer of aspiration covers the entire Buddhist path, but places special emphasis on the cultivation of bodhicitta in its various forms. For to have bodhicitta, says Patrul Rinpoche, is to have "all that's needed to attain enlightenment."
Mind Training (Lojong) Aspiration Prayers Nyingma Mönlam 13 Oct 2010

Commentaries

by Buddhagupta
A brief guide to cultivating immeasurable loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity; it is attributed to the Indian master Buddhagupta and included within the Middle Way section of the Tengyur (Toh 3914).
Tengyur 13 Jun 2016
by Ngawang Tenzin Norbu
A simple commentary on the most famous four-line prayer of taking refuge and arousing bodhicitta; it explains the nature of the Buddha, Dharma and Saṅgha as well as relative and absolute bodhicitta.
Taking Refuge
by Patrul Rinpoche
Taking a famous four-line prayer as his basis, Patrul Rinpoche explains the practice of taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Saṅgha, and arousing bodhicitta, in both its relative and ultimate forms.
Taking Refuge 26 Sep 2004
by Patrul Rinpoche
Patrul Rinpoche was renowned for his mastery of, and fondness for, Śāntideva's classic guide to the way of the bodhisattvas, and this is his practical manual for applying its wisdom and meditating on its key themes.
Bodhicaryāvatāra Stages of Meditation Six Pāramitās 19 Nov 2004

History

by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö
Notes on a number of topics, including how Buddha Śākyamuni generated bodhicitta and completed the accumulation of merit over three incalculable aeons, the four kāyas, the twelve deeds, and the three councils. The text is undated and has no colophon, but it is possible that Jamyang Khyentse drew upon Zhuchen Tsultrim Rinchen's (1697–1774) catalogue (dkar chag) to the Derge Tengyur or a similar source.
History Jātaka Buddha Śākyamuni 8 Dec 2021

Practices

from the Words of the Buddha
These verses taken from the Vajrapañjara Tantra, which are often recited as part of longer rituals and practices, include lines for taking refuge and generating bodhicitta.
Confession Taking Refuge 28 Mar 2020
arranged by Chatral Rinpoche
This elaborate ritual for taking the bodhisattva vow, which includes preliminary recitations and practices as well as the vow itself, was arranged according to the tradition of the great Dza Patrul Rinpoche (1808–1887) by the holder of his lineage, Chatral Rinpoche Sangye Dorje, in 1986.
Bodhisattva Vow Nyingma Mönlam
by Neten Chokling Ngedön Drubpe Dorje
A ritual for paying homage to the Buddha and eight main bodhisattvas as a means of generating bodhicitta. The text belongs to The Great Compassionate One, Lotus Uṣṇīṣa (thugs rje chen po pad+ma gtsug gtor) cycle within the Chokling Tersar.
Chokling Tersar 13 Jun 2023
by Śākyaśrībhadra
Extracted from Śākyaśrībhadra's Seven Branches for Practising the Sacred Dharma (Saptāṅgasaddharmacaryāvatāra), these verses for taking refuge and generating bodhicitta are often recited independently of their original source.
Taking Refuge 22 Jan 2008
by Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol
Three verses for taking refuge, generating bodhicitta and offering hearfelt prayer, composed at Mount Kailash for a student named Lobzang Gelek.
Taking Refuge 24 Feb 2023

Three Noble Principles

by Khenpo Shenga
A brief explanation of the three noble principles (of arousing bodhicitta in the beginning, remaining without reference in the middle, and dedicating merit at the end), which are said to be the root of the Mahāyāna path.
Dedication 2 Nov 2007

Related Topics

Bodhicaryāvatāra Bodhisattva Vow Mind Training (Lojong) Ngöndro Six Pāramitās Taking Refuge

Asaṅga

Courtesy of Orgyen Tobgyal Rinpoche

Further information:

BDRC T2064 (byang chub sems)
BDRC T338 (sems bskyed)

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