37 Practices of a Bodhisattva: Patheos Series
I did a series on the classic text "The 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva" for Patheos. I've linked all of the articles here. I had a good experience delving deeply into this important text and I hope you will too.
37 Practices of A Bodhisattva: Introduction
January 1, 2018
A Bodhisattva is one who strives to attain enlightenment. Bodhisattva is a sanskrit word that means “Enlightenment Being.” It has multiple definitions: Bodhisattva: an enlightened person one who is on the path to enlightenment one who enlightens others. Mahayana Buddhism rests entirely on the Bodhisattva ideal. We have innate wakefulness—we are enlightened already—but we are also on the path to realizing the fact that we are awakened and our true nature is not separate from bringing others to awakening along… Read more
37 Practices: Keep Awareness Clear and Vivid
1 Right now, you have a good boat, fully equipped and available — hard to find. To free others and you from the sea of samsara, Day and night, fully alert and present, Study, reflect, and meditate — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.… Read more
37 Practices: Going For Refuge
5 With some friends, the three poisons keep growing, Study, reflection, and meditation weaken, And loving kindness and compassion fall away. Give up bad friends — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.… Read more
37 Practices: Give Rise to Awakening Mind
10 If all your mothers, who love you, Suffer for time without beginning, how can you be happy? To free limitless sentient beings, Give rise to awakening mind — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.… Read more
37 Practices: Put Them Above You
15 Even if someone humiliates you and denounces you In front of a crowd of people, Think of this person as your teacher And humbly honor him — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.… Read more
37 Practices: Subdue Your Own Mind
18 When you are down and out, held in contempt, Desperately ill, and emotionally crazed, Don’t lose heart. Take into you The suffering and negativity of all beings — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.… Read more
37 Practices: Let it Go
21 Sensual pleasures are like salty water: The deeper you drink, the thirstier you become. Any object that you attach to, Right away, let it go — this is the practice of a bodhisattva.. Read more
37 Practices: The Perfections
Verse 25 and the ones that follow detail the 6 perfections. The most important teaching for walking the bodhisattva path is the six perfections. The six perfections free us from delusion and lead us to Awakening. If we practice the six perfections in our lives, then we can dwell in Enlightenment... Read more
37 Practices: Don’t Say Anything
31 If you don’t go into your own confusion, You may just be a materialist in practitioner’s clothing. Constantly go into your own confusion And put an end to it — this is the practice of a bodhisattva… Read more