RELG 252 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Bodhicitta, Mahayana, Sattva

• School: McGill University
• Department: Religious Studies
• Course: RELG 252
• Professor: Lara Braitstein

Document Summary

This goal is suppose to be for the bene t of other sentient beings: one needs to cultivate bodhicitta to do this, bodhi=awakening, citta=mind, an awakening being can be someone who is getting awakened or awakening others (dual sense) The basis:aspiration to accomplish the bene t of all beings-wish to elevate the su ering of others-humans, god, and animals. Aspiration to achieve buddhahood- e. g. poverty is an ill of society, more people live in poverty than those who don"t and it is an old and ongoing crisis. Based on predications of human nature, poverty will not be terminated in the future/will always exist. Donating and charities can help but won"t x the solution, since people still act on the bases of the three poisons (greed/desire, delusion and hatred ) the only solution is to become the buddha. If one can end attachment to these poisons, the new goal that is buddhahood rather than elevation of poverty becomes clear.