7th Condition to Arise Bodhi Mind
Having Respect for Our Own Spiritual Being
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
Seventh Criterion: Having respect for our own spiritual being
What is having respect for our own spiritual being?
We have the same essence of mind as Sakyamuni Buddha. Why has the Buddha attained supreme, perfect enlightenment for immeasurable kalpas, while we remain ignorant and confused as ordinary people?
The Buddha has immeasurable supernatural powers and wisdom and the adornments of merits and virtues, while we have immeasurable karma and affliction, and are strangled by life and death.
The nature of mind is identical, but the difference between ignorance and enlightenment is like a deep abyss.
While reflecting on this, do we not feel embarrassed?
It is like a priceless gem discarded in a mud puddle — not treasured. Therefore, we should use the immeasurable wholesome teachings to cure our affliction, to cultivate and accumulate virtues and merits.
Our nature of virtues will then be revealed. It is as if the priceless gem has been washed and cleaned. It is then hung high from the ceiling. It sparkles with brilliance, bringing illumination to all.
Thus, we are not betraying the Buddha’s teaching, and we can live up to our own true mind. This is the seventh cause and condition for the initiation of Bodhi mind.
Continued …
Eighth criterion: Being repentant of karmic hindrances
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.
