Bodhicharyavatara Chapter 8, Stanzas 89-90

Ringu Tulku Rinpoche
Teachings on Bodhicharyavatara
Chapter 8: Meditation
Session 23
Stanzas 89-90

Having established the best environment for shamatha meditation, the next two verses begin to look at developing the two bodhichittas, relative and ultimate.

First Rinpoche gives a very brief overview of the methods that can help settle the mind in shamatha, but the bottom line is the importance of right view, understanding that the development of an attitude of limitless compassion (relative bodhichitta) is critical for a successful outcome. This in turn leads to the ultimate (wisdom) aspect, which is an aspiration that excludes no one from achieving bodhichitta. Once this aspect becomes clear, we are compelled to pursue the practise with as much energy as we are able to muster.

Rinpoche acquaints us with the possibility that we are no different from anyone else in the most basic wish to be happy and avoid suffering, that this is the common ground of humanity, and through the repetitive practice of meditation we begin to train our minds step by step to become familiar with and spontaneously embrace the understanding that in this we are all equal.

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