““The best Dharma practice,
the most perfect, most substantial,
is without doubt
the practice of bodhichitta.” — Lama Yeshe
According to Mahayana Buddhism, practicing lamrim and bodhichitta in order to free numberless sentient beings from the oceans of samsaric sufferings and bring them to buddhahood is actually the peerless happiness. Think, “I have to achieve full enlightenment, therefore I am going to do this action with bodhichitta, whatever it is — going to work, eating, working, sleeping, and so forth.” Practicing mindfulness and bodhichitta in this way makes all your activities the cause of full enlightenment and you collect skies of merit.
In this Zoom teaching, Ven. Robina will teach us about bodhichitta, that what makes life most beneficial is bodhichitta — and that bodhichitta is an active practice. It is the happiest life, according to all the Buddhas. With bodhichitta when you get sick, you are sick for sentient beings. You are so happy, even if you have cancer. Having sickness for sentient beings with bodhichitta — or when dying, dying for sentient beings — you are so happy. Anything, whatever happens to you, incurable disease, whatever, you are so happy; you experience it for sentient beings. This is the best life.
Whatever you are doing, you do for numberless sentient beings, including not only those who are helping you, even for those who don’t do harm or don’t help, even a stranger. When you generate bodhichitta, it is for everyone. There is no partisanship. If you live life with bodhichitta, then you see that whatever happens to your life, it is for sentient beings—even if you have cancer, it is for sentient beings; even if you have health, it is for sentient beings; even if you have short life, it is for sentient beings; even if you have a long life it is for sentient beings—everything. Living life with bodhichitta creates the most happy life. Even if you have constant problems in this life, a difficult life, it is for sentient beings. There is nothing for you; it is all for sentient beings, numberless sentient beings, including your friends, strangers, enemies, everyone. It is really the most wonderful life.
About the Teacher
Ordained since the late 1970s, Ven. Robina has worked full time since then for Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s FPMT. Over the years she has served as editorial director of Wisdom Publications, editor of Mandala Magazine, executive director of Liberation Prison Project, and as a touring teacher of Buddhism. Her life and work with prisoners have been featured in the documentary films Chasing Buddha and Key to Freedom.
See www.robinacourtin.com to read Ven. Robina’s active blog, tour schedule, and other news.
Benefits of Becoming a Friend of LMB
There are many benefits to becoming a Friend of LMB – discounts at our bookstore, special dedication prayers in our daily Medicine Buddha puja, and, at $50/month or more, FREE attendance in our Discovering Buddhism, Basic Program, and Guided Contemplation courses. Consider becoming a Friend of LMB today!
| Date(s): | May 7th, 2020 |
| Times: | 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm |
| Instructor/Leader: | Ven. Robina Courtin |
| Type of event: | |
| Number of sessions: | 1 |
| Level: | Any and All Levels |
| Participation: | Everyone Welcome |
| Location: | Other Location |
| iCal Link: | iCal |
| Add to Google Calendar: |  |
Registration and Donations for Bodhichitta in Action with Ven. Robina Courtin
Online registration is now closed for this event.