“Everything exists on the tip of a wish” – Lama Yeshe

This appeared on my Facebook feed today. What a lovely and profound statement! Thank you again, Lama Yeshe, for your wisdom and kindness.

There are three main areas of practice in Mahayana Buddhism: love, compassion and enlightenment mind. All teachings are grounded in these.

Love is cultivated by developing a sincere, heartfelt wish that all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness.

Compassion is developed with the heartfelt wish that all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering.

The mind of enlightenment is developed with the heartfelt wish to attain enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings in order to lead all beings to enlightenment.

Love and compassion are necessary to attain the mind of enlightenment. Without the mind of enlightenment one cannot attain enlightenment. All three are interrelated, interdependent.

Chandrakirti wrote in the Madhyamikavatara, “The Buddha arises from the Bodhisattva and the Bodhisattva is born out of love and compassion, but especially out of compassion.” The main cause of the Great Vehicle is compassion” (Sakya Trizin).

 A very simple and yet profound prayer follows:

 Prayer of the Four Immeasurables

“How wonderful it would be if all sentient beings were to abide in equanimity, free of bias, attachment, and anger. May they abide in this way. I shall cause them to abide in this way.

How wonderful it would be if all sentient beings had happiness and its causes. May they have these. I shall cause them to have these.

How wonderful it would be if all sentient beings were free from suffering and its causes. May they be free. I shall cause them to be free.

How wonderful it would be if all sentient beings were never parted from upper rebirth and liberation’s excellent bliss. May they never be parted. I shall cause them never to be parted” (Chodron).
 

Thought for the week

Whatever joy there is in this world, All comes from desiring others to be happy, And whatever suffering there is in this world, All comes from desiring myself to be happy.                     – Shantideva                           

 

Chodron, T. Retrieved February 18, 2012 at http://www.thubtenchodron.org/PrayersAndPractices

Sakya Trizin. Retrieved February 18, 2012 at http://www.hhthesakyatrizin.org/teach_interview3.html