Without Bodhicitta, One Cannot Enter the Buddha-Path

📖Master’s Reading

The Dharma is not only to free oneself from suffering but to free all beings from suffering. We must understand one truth: without giving rise to bodhicitta, you cannot become a buddha. A person without bodhicitta, without compassion, cannot possibly become a buddha. The buddhas and bodhisattvas accomplished buddhahood precisely because they made the great vow and gave rise to bodhicitta. If practice is only for one's own peace, wealth or liberation, this self-serving practice closes the heart's gate, naturally limiting blessing and energy, and its effect is never powerful.

The Mahāvairocana Sūtra says: "Bodhicitta is the cause, compassion is the root." True bodhicitta is to see beings' suffering and be willing to help others leave suffering and find happiness. Loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity are the real expression of bodhicitta. When you are no longer selfish and willing to dedicate the merit of practice selflessly to beings of the ten directions, your heart's capacity is no different from the buddhas and bodhisattvas.

True practice must turn from "benefiting self" to "benefiting others." When a person begins to care selflessly for others, the inner buddha-nature awakens and bodhicitta sprouts with it. Remember: without bodhicitta, however much you practice you cannot enter the buddha-path; only by giving rise to the bodhicitta that benefits beings is one truly at the starting point toward buddhahood.

🌱Reflection for Daily Life

• Having bodhicitta is the starting point toward buddhahood.
• Understand that practice should not be only for self-benefit.
• Bodhicitta is the cause, compassion is the root.
• Dedicate merit selflessly to beings of the ten directions.
• Only benefiting others awakens the inner buddha-nature.