To recite the mantra is not enough and we have to develop Bodhicitta

To recite the mantra is not enough and we have to develop Bodhicitta. One has to do that not only for oneself but also for others. Bodhicitta is a kind of motivation. “Bodhi” means “enlightened” and “cita” is “heart”. “Bodhicitta” is “enlightened heart”. What is “enlightened heart”? It’s very pure. Why do we say that heart is pure – a bodhi-heart? It’s because our hearts are not like that. They are very negative, full of selfishness and selfish thoughts. Because of that they are not pure. But the hearts of high beings like Amitabha or Avalokiteshvara are very pure. They are not selfish so they can think of others all the time. [Unlike them], we think mainly about ourselves. We have to develop enlightened heart – Bodhicitta. How do we develop it? We have to think of all the sentient beings and wish them to be liberated from samsara and reach Buddha-hood.

 Hungkar Dorje Rinpoche (2012  – Viet Nam)