The basic principle of Buddhism is to be a good person, someone who is trustworthy, altruistic, calm, and honest. To embody this, we train in Bodhicitta, the mind of awakening, which is the wish to bring all beings to the state of unconditional happiness. To have Bodhicitta is to have a true understanding of the human condition, combined with a true understanding of the nature of reality. One who is courageously training in Bodhicitta is called a Bodhisattva. 

With this teaching series, we wish to celebrate Bodhicitta as the foundation and heart of the path to enlightenment.

“If we cultivate bodhicitta well in our own mindstream, that is dzogchen. That is generation stage, completion stage, and the union of the two. Where is “dzogchen” without bodhicitta? Without bodhicitta, there is no dzogchen.” –Ven. Gyatrul Rinpoche 

In order to remind and re-inspire all of our sangha members, as well as to introduce newcomers to the heart and essence of Buddhism, we have requested these teachings on the most sacred and precious Mind of Awakening, Bodhicitta, from three authentic and excellent scholar-practitioners, all of whom have years of experience in sharing the Dharma with Western students.