ASIAN 230 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Bodhicitta, Asanga, Madhyamaka
Document Summary
How much we project our thoughts onto what we experience. When state of everything being a projection of own thoughts = realized = enlightenment. In order to be perfected being that buddha is, need perfect wisdom and compassion. Compassion makes someone bodhisattva and therefore a buddha. Meditates in cave for 3 years to get in touch with matraiya. Sees water dripping from cave that wore out stone floor of cave. Cuts flesh out of thigh to feed to maggots in dog wound but won"t move. Only way to move them is with tongue. Opens eyes and matraiya (next buddha) is standing there. Angry that was sitting and meditating for 12 years waiting for him. Something in mind was blocking from seeing matraiya for 12 years but one moment of compassion for dog was great enough. Bodhisattva = someone who has bodhichitta = the aspiration to enlightenment. The desire to achieve buddhahood for the sake of others.
