Bodhicitta—the mind of awakening—is the aspiration to attain awakening for the benefit of all. Seeing our practice in this light can be a source of inspiration and counteract the tendency to self-centeredness. The talk discusses the historical development of the concept and explains what it means.
Upādāna in different Buddhist Teachings:
– Clinging as fuel for renewed becoming (punabbhava)
– Clinging in the 5 aggregates (khandha)
– Clinging in Dependent Arising (paṭiccasamuppadā)
– Clinging as four specific forms:
(i) kāmūpādāna – clinging to and identification with sensuality (“Seeking” experiences)
(ii) diṭṭhūpādāna – clinging to and identification with views (“Being right, being competent“)
(iii) sīlavaṭūpādāna – clinging to and identification with virtue, practices and ritual (“Having the
right technique“)
(iv) attavādūpādāna – clinging to and identification with doctrines of a self / Self (“Being
someone”)
How wonderful you are in your being!
I delight that you are here!
I take joy in your good fortune!
May your happiness continue and increase!
(From a Sinhalese Ms of the 19th century. Monks' and nuns‘ practice upon receiving alms).
Saddhā - trust or confidence - is a fundamental quality that we need on our path. Why can it be difficult to trust? What is actually trustworthy? How does it manifest in our mind and in our actions?
Relationship of different instructions to each other. Many spices, but we don't cook with all of them at once.
Orientation: how to find out and recognize what's going in your mind. (Using the satipaṭṭhāna map)
Relationship: a) getting reliably in touch with and b) learning to relate skillfully to the states.
Shifting attention away from habits.
Mindfulness does not mean 'no discernment' – it is quite capable on discerning what is wholesome and unwholesome.
