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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 7

The ceremony for

generating Bodhicitta

By HH The Dalai Lama

HH The 14th Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet and world’s leading authority on Buddhism.
He has written numerous books on Buddhism and a key advocate of peace in the world. In 1989 he
received the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his efforts on world peace, including efforts for a
peaceful settlement to Tibet’s differences with China.

HH The 14 Dalai Lama Atisha Dipamkara (980- Lama Tsongkhapa (1357-
th
1054) 1419)

To participate in the ceremony for affirming and Most importantly, visualize that you are surrounded by
enhancing your generation of the altruistic intention, all other sentient beings. If this is difficult, simply reflect
first visualize that Shakyamuni Buddha is here in upon the fundamental equality of yourself and all other
person, surrounded by such disciples as Maitreya, sentient beings insofar as the natural desire to seek
Manjushri, Nagarjuna, Arya Asanga and the other great happiness and overcome suffering is concerned. Just
Indian masters of the past, whose writings we continue as you have the right and natural potential to fulfill this
to enjoy and derive benefit from to this day and which basic aspiration to be happy and overcome suffering, so
serve to open our eye of awareness. Reflect upon the too do all the other infinite sentient beings.
kindness of these masters, as well as that of the Buddha
and the bodhisattvas. Also imagine the presence of Then reflect on the fact that when you think of your own
the great masters from all four traditions of Tibetan self-interest, regardless of your level of importance,
Buddhism—Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyü and Geluk—going you are simply thinking about the concerns of a single
back to when Buddhism first started to flourish in Tibet individual, but when you think of the interests of others,
in the seventh to eighth centuries. Practitioners from you are thinking about the welfare of an infinite number
other Buddhist traditions should visualize the lineage of beings. To sacrifice the welfare of countless others for
masters and historical teachers of their own traditions the benefit of one, therefore, is not only foolish but also
in the assembly. immoral. Furthermore, it is impractical, because it is a
deluded way of trying to fulfill your own aspirations.