4th Condition to Arise Bodhi Mind
Being mindful of our benefactors’ deep kindness
Master Xing’an (1686–1734), the 11th Patriarch of the Chinese Pure Land School, has composed “An Inspiration to Give Rise to the Bodhi Mind” when he experienced sudden enlightenment and generated the great vows of enlightenment for all sentient beings.
Master Xing’an emphasized the importance of generating the true Bodhi mind and making a vow in cultivation, urging that our goal is to be reborn in the Western Pure Land and then we will return to this world to liberate other sentient beings.
An Inspiration to Give Rise to the Bodhi Mind
Fourth Criterion: Being mindful of our benefactors’ deep kindness
Why should we be mindful of our benefactors’ deep kindness?
For what I enjoy and consume are not only dependent on my strength. Two meals per day, clothes for the four seasons, medicine in time of sickness, and whatever helps sustain the mouth and body — all of these daily necessities come from the kindness of others’ effort. They work very hard and still barely scrape by, yet I am sitting here to consume a meal and do not feel content.
They work hard to barely cover their bodies, while I am here secure and comfortable. Have I yet learned to appreciate this?
They live in humble cottages, busy and distressed their entire lives, while we live in grand buildings and spend our lives leisurely. They labor for our enjoyment; how can our minds be peaceful?
They harvest for our consumption; is this fair?
If we do not cultivate compassion and wisdom, and adorn ourselves with merits and knowledge to repay all benefactors and give benefit to all beings, then for all of these contributions — each grain of rice, each inch of cloth — unwholesome karma will be difficult to escape. This is the fourth cause and condition for the initiation of Bodhi mind.
Continued …
Fifth criterion: Being mindful of all sentient beings’ deep kindness
Ten Causes and Conditions that Help Initiate the Bodhi Mind
The Bodhi mind is the king of all wholesomeness, yet there must be some causes and conditions that lead one to set one’s mind on Bodhi. Here are ten causes and conditions that help one to initiate the Bodhi mind.
- Being mindful of the Buddha’s deep kindness.
- Being mindful of our parents’ deep kindness.
- Being mindful of our teachers’ deep kindness.
- Being mindful of our benefactors’ deep kindness.
- Being mindful of all sentient beings’ deep kindness.
- Being mindful of the suffering of life and death.
- Having respect for our own spiritual being.
- Being repentant of karmic hindrances.
- Aspiring toward rebirth in the Pure Land.
- Being mindful of the importance of preserving the right Dharma for a long time.
The above is excerpted from the masterpiece “An Inspiration to Give Rise to the Bodhi Mind” (勸發菩提心文) authored by Master Xing’an 省庵大師 (1686–1734), originally composed in Chinese and was translated into English. Translation credits to Fo Guang Shan International Translation Center.
