Daily Dharma
Monday
From loving kindness and compassion, the mind of enlightenment arises.
The mind of enlightenment, bodhicitta, is defined as the resolution to attain ultimate enlightenment so that one may be of greatest benefit to all sentient beings, just like Shakyamuni Buddha himself.
Shakyamuni Buddha also first generated the mind of enlightenment, then accumulated wisdom and merit, and eventually attained enlightenment, through which he benefits countless sentient beings.
We are followers of the Buddha, and particularly we are Mahayanists. We must cultivate not only the abandonment of non-virtuous deeds and defilements but also the accumulation of loving kindness, compassion, and the mind of enlightenment. In this way, we will be able to attain enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings.
His Holiness Sakya Trizin
Tuesday
If it weren’t for the adored bridegroom
Of appearance as mere dependent origination,
The loving bride of emptiness
Would be no better than dead.
Emptiness is the most lovely bride,
A ravishing beauty beyond compare.
If he ever became separated from her,
That handsome bridegroom would be fettered in shackles.
Therefore, trembling with anxiety,
Bride and bridegroom turn to the guru,
Whose inborn kindness for them
Places their love right back to its original, innate state.
Ah, the genuine guru’s sagacity
And great skill are so wonderful
That those two become originally indivisible,
Nonreferential, and unsurpassable.
This couple is endowed with the abundance of all characteristics
And is free from the two extremes.
It is the nature of all that is, yet lacks a nature of its own —
Thus it always flourishes.
Maitripa
Thursday
It is difficult to learn the names of the vows, let alone observe them. So at least you should strive to be loving to people, especially those who are close to you such as friends, relatives,
Dharma brothers and sisters, and neighbours. Try to avoid harming them. Be respectful to them, as all are enlightened in their true nature. Then, in a simple way, you are moving towards fulfilling
the pratimoksha vow of not harming others, the bodhisattvas' vow of being loving to others, and the tantric vow of pure perception.
Dodrupchen Rinpoche
Friday
Real compassion is without attachment. Pay attention to this point, which goes against our habitual ways of thinking. It’s not this or that particular case that stirs our pity. We don’t give our compassion to such and such a person by choice. We give it spontaneously, entirely, without hoping for anything in exchange.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama