Bodhicharyavatara Chapter 8, Stanzas 119-121

Here we stay with the theme of seeing others as more important than ourselves and continue by extending the potential benefit even further: by training to exchange with others, learning to give them the same care and protection as I would my loved ones and myself.

I must train myself to the point where this exchange is habitual, until it eventually becomes second nature. Slowly I see that when the welfare of others is placed above my own, I benefit as well––that this is my secret doorway into developing compassion and wisdom: it is the practice of a Bodhisattva, the path to enlightenment. This altruistic approach to life requires faith and bravery. It disregards attachment to personal welfare and one that could easily be seen as crazy by others if we were to advertise it as our practice.

For now we embrace it as a sacred mystery that will reveal itself once we are ready to understand its power. Those who live their lives blind to this understanding––through wealth, greed or lust for power do untold damage because a negative self centred approach feeds on itself and is the basis of our suffering.

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