BODHICITTA or BODHI MIND
1.Bodhicitta [ that is, the desire for enlightenment] is
like a seed because from it grows all the truths of Buddhism.
2.It is like a farm because here are produced all things of
purity for the world.
3.The bodhicitta is like the earth because all the worlds
are supported by it.
4.It is like water because all the dirt of the passions is
thereby cleansed.
5.It is like the wind because it blows all over the world
with nothing obstructing its course.
6.It is like fire because it consumes all the fuel of bad
logic.
7.The Bodhicitta is like the sun because it leaves nothing
unenlightened on earth.
8.It is like the moon because it fills to perfection all
things of purity.
9.It is like a lamp because it perceives where the road is
even and where it is uneven.
10.The bodhicitta is like a highway because it leads one to
the city of knowledge.
11.It is like a sacred ford because it keeps away all that
is not proper.
12. It is like a carriage because it carries all the
Bodhisattvas.
--
13.It is like a door because it opens to all the doings of
the Bodhisattva.
14.The Bodhicitta is like a mansion because it is the
retreat where Samadhi and meditation are practiced.
15.It is like a park because it is where the enjoyment of
truth (Dharmarati ) is experiences.
16.It is like a dwelling-house because it is where all the
world is comfortably sheltered. it is like a refuge because it gives a salutary
abode to all beings.
17.It is like an asylum because it is where all the
bodhisattvas walk.
18.The bodhicitta is like a father because it protects all
the Bodhisattvas.
19.It is like a mother because it brings up all the Bodhisattvas.
20.It is like a nurse because it takes care of all the
Bodhisattvas.
21.It is like a good friend because it gives good advice to
all the Bodhisattvas.
22.It is like a king
because it overpowers the minds of all the Sravakas and the Pratyekabuddhas.
--
23.It is like a great sovereign because it fulfills all
the excellent vows.
24.The bodhicitta is like a great ocean because it harbours
all the gems of virtues.
25.It is like Mount Sumeru because it towers impartially
above all things.
26.It is like Mount Cakravada because it supports all the
world.
27.It is like Mount Himalaya because it produces all sorts
of knowledge-herbs.
28.It is like Mount Gandhamadana because it harbours all
kinds of virtue-fragrance.
29. It is like space because it infinitely spreads out the
merit of goodness.
30.The Bodhicitta is like a lotus-flower because it is never
spoiled by things of this world.
31.It is like an elephant because it is obedient.
32.It is like a well-bred horse because it is free from evil
nature.
33.It is like a Charioteer because it keeps watch over all
the truths of the Mahayana.
--
34.The BODHICITTA is like a MEDICINE because it heals all DISEASES of the PASSIONS.
35.It is like a charm because it submerges all that is evil.
36.It is like a VAJRA because it penetrates into everything.
37.The Bodhicitta is like a BOX OF INCENSE because it
contains the FRAGRANCE OF VIRTUE.
38.It is like a great flower because it delights those who
catch the sight of it.
39.It is like sandal-wood because it cools off the heat of
greed.
40.It is like Kalapa because its fragrance penetrates
through all Dharmadhatu.
41.The Bodhicitta is like
Sudarsana which is the king of medicine because it destroys all the
diseases arising from the passions ( klesa).
42.It is like a salve
called Vigama because it draws out all the
arrows of the passions.
43.The bodhicitta is
like Indra because it is the overlord of all the gods.
--
44. The Bodhicitta is like VAISRAVAṆA because it destroys
all the PAIN of POVERTY.
45.It is like Sri because it is embellished with all the
virtues.
46.The Bodhicitta is like an ornament because all the
Bodhisattvas are decorated with it.
47.It is like the kalpa-consuming fire because it burns up
all corruption.
48.It is like a great medicinal herb known as Anirvrittamula
because it brings up all the truths of Buddhism.
49.The Bodhicitta is like a Naga-gem because it nullifies
the poison of all the passions.
50.It is like a transparent water-gem because it purifies
the turbidness of all the passions.
51.It is like a Cintamani ( wish-gem) because it supplies
all the wealth one desires.
52.It is like a MAGIC JAR because it fulfills every desire.
it is like a wish-granting- tree because from it are showered all the virtue-ornaments.
53.The Bodhicitta is like a robe made of goose-feathers
because it is never stained the dirt of birth and death.
--
54.It is like pure Karpasa thread because it remains from the first brilliantly
luminous.
55.The Bodhicitta is like a plough because it clears the
mind-field of all beings.
56. It is like the iron arrows of Narayana because it
strikes down the view of an ego-soul.
57.It is like an arrow because it pierces the target of
pain. it is like a spear because it vanquishes the enemy known as passion.
58. It is like a coat of mail because it protects the mind
that conforms to rationality.
59.It is like a scimitar because it cuts off the heads of
the passions.
60.It is like a sword-blade because it cuts through the
armour of pride, conceit and arrogance.
61.It is like a razor because it cuts the passions.
62.It is like a banner of a brave fighter because it bears
down the banner of Mara.
63.It is like a sharp cutter because it rends asunder the
tree of ignorance.
--
64.It is like an axe because it chops the wood of
sufferings.
65.It is like a weapon because it protects one from
violence.
66.The bodhicitta is like a hand because it guards the body
of the Paramitas.
67.It is like a foot
because it gives a support to virtue and knowledge.
68.The bodhicitta is like
a surgical instrument because it removes the sheath and film of
ignorance.
69.It is like a pair of tweezers because it picks out the
splinter of the ego-soul.
70.It is like a bedstead because it gives rest to the
vexations of the passions.
71.The bodhicitta is like a good friend because it loosens
all the bondage of birth and death.
72.It is like being in possession of wealth because it wards
off poverty.
73.It is like a great teacher because it points out the way to the devotional life of the Bodhisattva.
--
74.It is like a depository of treasure because it contains
an imperishable mind of merit.
75.It is like a fountain because from it issues an
inexhaustible supply of knowledge.
76.The Bodhicitta is like a mirror because it reveals all the images of truth.
77.It is like a lotus-flower because it is stainless.
78.It is like a great river because in it flow the Paramitas
as well as the rules of acceptance.
79.It is like the lord of serpents because it showers clouds
of good truths.
80.It is like the giver of life because it supports the
great compassionate heart of the
Bodhisattva.
81.The bodhicitta is like nectar because it makes one abide
in the realm of immortality.
82.It is like an all-trapping net because it gathers and
draws up every tractable being.
83.The bodhicitta is like a basket of sandal-wood because it
contains all the fragrance of virtue.
84.It is like medicinal AGADA because it preserves one’s
perfect health.
--
85.It is like an antidotal medicine because it counteracts
the poison of sensuous pleasures.
86.It is like a magical charm because it wipes out the
poisonous effect of irrationality.
87.The bodhicitta is like a whirlwind because it sweeps away
every obstruction and oppositions before it.
88.It is like an isle of treasure because it produces the
treasure of every factor of
enlightenment.
89.It is like a good family because from it issues every
work of purity.
90.It is like a dwelling-house because it is where
everything virtuous has its refuge.
91.It is like a city because it is where all the
Bodhisattvas like merchants carry on their business.
92.The bodhicitta is like quicksilver because it clears up all the hindrances of karma and
the passions.
93.It is like a honey
preparation because it completes the provisions for the attainment of all-
knowledge.
94.The Bodhicitta is like the highway beause it leads all
the bodhisattvas to the city of all-
knowledge.
--
95.It is like a repository because it holds all the works of
purity.
96.It is like a shower because it washes away the dust
of the passions.
97.It is like a shelter because it provides all the
bodhisattvas with the instructions they need for their settlement.
98.It is like the loadstone because it refuses to
attract the fruit of Emancipation
attained by the Sravakas.
99.It is like lapis lazuli because it is by nature
stainless.
100.It is like a sapphire because it far surpasses all the
knowledge that is realized by the sravakas and Pratyekabuddhas as well as by
people of the world.
101.The bodhicitta is like a kettle-drum because it awakens
all beings from their sleep in the passions.
102.It is like pure water because it is essentially limpid
and stainless.
103.It is like
Jambunada gold because it outshines all the stocks of merit obtainable in this
world of created things.
104.It is the great prince of mountains because it towers
above all the world.
--
105.The Bodhicitta is like a shelter because it never
refuses anyone that may come.
106.It is like a real substance because there is in it
nothing that is unreal.
107.It is like a wish-fulfilling gem because it satisfies
every heart.
108.The bodhicitta is like a sacrificial utensil because by
it all the world is gratified.
109.It is like an enlightened one because there is nothing
in worldly-mindedness that is comparable to it.
110.It is like a rope because it lifts up all the truths of
Buddhism.
111.The bodhicitta is
like a good binder because it holds the life and the vows of the Bodhisattva.
112.It is like a protector because it protects the entire
world.
113.It is like a watchman because it holds back all that
is bad.
114.It is like Indra’s net because it subdues the passions
which resemble the Asuras.
115.It is like
VARURA’s chain because it draws and controls.
116.It is like Indras’s fire because it consumes all the habit-energy, passions and impure
desires.
117.It is like a CAITYA because it is respected by all the
world, by human beings and by Asuras.
…
==
“In like manner, when
the bodhisattva obtains the Bodhicitta-herb of all – knowledge, the fire of
greed can not burn him, the poison of anger can not kill him, the sword of the
passion cannot hurt him, the ocean of becoming can not drown him and the smoke
of various philosophies can not suffocate him.
--
Like a man who has the mystic herb of liberation whereby all
calamities are warded off, the bodhisattva when he is the owner of the
Bodhicitta-herb of knowledge, is kept forever out of the reach of Birth And Death.
--
Like a man who has Maghi-herb which keeps away all poisonous
snakes on account of the fragrance it emits, the Bodhisattva who is in
possession of the Bodhicitta keeps away all the poisonous makes of the passions
by means of the fragrance issuing from the Citta.
--
Like a man who, being the possessor of the charm known as
Invincible, is never vanquished by his enemy, the bodhisattva becomes
unconquerable by the antagonistic army of the Evil one when he is the possessor
of the invincible Bodhicitta-charm of all – knowledge.
--
Like a man who by virtue of possessing the charm known as
Vigama, makes every arrow against him fall on the ground, the Bodhisattva who
is in possession of the Vigama-remedy of the
Bodhicitta makes fall every arrow of greed, anger and folly and also that of false speculation,
which may be directed against him.
Like a man who being
in possession of the great charm called Sudarsana wards off every sort of
disease, the Bodhisattva who has the great Sudarsana-charm of the Bodhicitta
becomes free from the disease of knowledge as well as the disease of passions.
There is a great medicinal tree called Santana, the bark of
which has a great healing quality for all kinds of sore and yet the tree always
retains its complete form because as soon as the bark is peeled off, new bark
grows.
In like manner, from the Bodhicitta cherished by the
bodhisattva there grows the tree of all- knowledge and those who see it and
believe it have their passion and karma sores completely healed and yet the
tree of all –knowledge shows no signs from the first of growing the less
effective.
There is a great medicinal tree known as Anirvrittamula, by
virtue of which all the trees in Jambudvipa gain the strength to grow.
Bodhicitta being cherished by the bodhisattva has the power
to keep all the learners, the Arhats, the pratyekaBuddhas and the Bodhisattvas
strong in all things good.
--
There is a medicinal plant known as Ratilambhya, which being
rubbed on the body will make the mind as well as the body strong and healthy.
In like manner, when the Bodhisattva takes hold of the
Ratilambhya plant of Bodhicitta he grows strong and healthy in his mind and
body.
--
There is a medicinal plant known as Good Memory. when this
is given, the memory is improved. In like manner, when the Good- memory plant
of Bodhicitta is administered the bodhisattva retains in his mind every good
truth of Buddhism.
--
There is a medicinal plant known as great- Lotus- Flower
which gives one a kalpa-long life.
In like manner, when the Great-Lotus-Flower medicine of
Bodhicitta is given to the Bodhisattva, his life will be prolonged as he
wishes, even for a countless number of kalpas.
--
There is a medicinal
plant known as Invisible which makes one invisible both to human beings and to
non- human beings. In like manner, when
the Invisible medicinal plant of Bodhicitta is taken, the Bodhisattva in
whatever condition he may wander becomes invisible to all evil ones.
--
There is a gem, king of gems, in the great ocean, which is
known as All-gem-treasure-collection (Sarva -mani -ratna -samuccaya) when this
is present, even the world-end fire which may destroy all the other worlds can
not consume even a drop of water in this ocean.
In like manner, when the bodhicitta is cherished in the
heart of the Bodhisattva, which is to him the Gem-King, Sarva -mani -ratna
–samuccaya, not one jot of the great vows directed towards all- knowledge will
ever disappear from him.
--
Let, however, his aspiration after All- knowledge be reduced to nothing and all his stock of
merit will vanish.
--
There is a gem known as all- illumination-mass
(Sarva-prabhasa- samuccaya), prince of all gems, which outshines,when it is
worn as a necklace, all other ornamental
jewelries.
In like manner, the
Sarva-prabhasa- samuccaya gem of
the Bodhicitta cherished by the Bodhisattva, which he wears as his spiritual
necklace, outshines all the ornaments decorating the minds of Sravakas and
Pratyekabuddhas.
==
Briefly, let it be known that the merits of the BODHICITTA
are as numerous as the truths of BUDDHISM and the merits of BUDDHAHOOD.
====
As a fire starts in a small way but blazes brighter as it
takes hold of more material to burn, so does the BODHICITTA FIRE.
It may start small, but as it seizes upon more material to
burn, the flame of knowledge blazes the stronger.
As from one lamp
hundreds of thousands of kotis of lamps are lighted and yet the original lamp is not at all extinguished, nor
diminished, on account of all the BODHICITTA-LAMP which are lighted from the
original CITTA- LAMP kept by all the Tathagatas of the past, present and future.
***** When a lamp is brought into a dark house, the DARKNESS
that has prevailed there for hundreds of thousands of years is dispersed and
replaced by the LIGHT.
In like manner, when the LAMP of the Bodhicitta is brought
into the dark inner chamber of all beings where the DARKNESS of PASSION-
HINDRANCES has accumulated for hundreds of thousands of indescribable kalpas,
the chamber is at once brightened by the light of knowledge.
As the brightness of a lamp-light is proportional to the
size of its wick, keeping up its luminosity as long as there is a supply of
oil, so does the lamp of the Bodhicitta keep up its brightness which shines
over the entire Dharmadhatu as long as it is well provided with the wick of the
great vows and accomplished, as long as there is the oil of a compassionate
heart, all kinds of Buddhist works, by disciplining beings and purifying the
Buddha- Lands.
==
In mastering all the arts of the magician, the first step is
to learn attentively by heart all the mantric formulas, for then one is able to
perform all sorts of magical works.
In like manner when the Bodhisattva wishes to attain the
life and wonderful activities of the BUDDHAS and Bodhisattvas, the first thing
he does is to wake the BODHICITTA and cherish the VOWS of the Bodhisattva, for
he is thereby able to start in the life that belongs to all the Buddhas and
Bodhisattva.
Things created by magical art are really formless but seen
as having form.
In like manner, the Bodhicitta is characterized as having no
form, yet the Dharmadhatu is seen as
spreading itself fully arrayed in all sorts of virtues because of the
Bodhisattva’s mind being awakened by all- knowledge.
==
As soon as a cat is seen approaching, all the rats run away
and hide themselves in a hole.
In like manner as soon as the Bodhisattva surveys the world with the BODHICITTA aroused in the
depths of his being, all the karma and passions run away and hide themselves in
a hole.
--
When people take hold of, or see or touch or stay with a
medicinal herb bearing a magical charm in it, they are cured of Diseases.
In like manner, in the MAGICAL PILL of the BODHICITTA all the stock of merit ever accumulated is
held together with transcendental knowledge and means, and it supplies the body
to the vows and knowledge belonging to the Bodhisattva, when this Bodhicitta-
herb is heard or seen or remembered or lived together by sentient beings, it
cures them of the diseases of EVIL PASSIONS.
--
As a man clad in goose-feathers is not soiled by dirt, so
the Bodhisattva clad in the goose-feathers of the Bodhicitta is not soiled by
the dirt of transmigration and evil passions.
--
That a wooden puppet holds itself together, is not
disjointed and accomplishes much work, is due
to the screws.
In like manner, that the Bodhisattva is competent to
accomplish works of BODHISATTVAHOOD is due to his cherishing the BODHICITTA,
which is the screw holding together the body of All- Knowledge and VOWS and
just because of this he is not disjointed.
Chapter 39: “Entering the Dharma Realm”
~AVATAMSAKA SUTRA
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét