To develop Bodhicitta, to develop renunciation, it is very important for a Dharma practitioner to see things in the society, to see problems, to see sufferings, to see troubles that are in society. Without seeing this, without knowing this, one does not have interest to develop this motivation.
The action should be peaceful action, always requested by the Buddha teaching. Therefore, we have to have a good way of creating non-violence action or karma, conduct. Also, motivation in the mind. We have to have a good mind, so that we can have good action. We should have very pure or very kind mind so that we can have kind action and sweet action.
There are two parts, two important parts or qualities that make Buddhism is Buddhism. One is view, one is action or conduct.
When Buddha turned all of the Dharma wheels, especially Dharma wheel on the Mahayana and one the Prajnaparamita, Buddha teaches all phenomena exist due to many factors, due to interdependent origination. There is nothing exists truly or has its nature, but according to a lot of conditions; and things, phenomena do not have essence, do not have any nature.
What causes all the troubles and misunderstanding, unhappiness is so-called “selfishness”. Because our nature is ordinary people, we are so much self-centered people. We put ourselves in the best and in the very center and then we try to serve, we try to do anything we can for oneself.
When no faith, even you are in the environment of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, there was no use. And even you can make such situation dangerous for yourself. Whenever I talk about these things.
Right now, we too busy to think carefully. We don’t have time to think this is good or not, intelligence is important or faith is important.
Of course studying is very important but even more important is devotion. As of devotion, studying, hearing, thinking and meditation and everything is important; [and] everything becomes very useful and every effective.
A disciple of Atisha asked him “Oh! Atisha give me a good instruction.” Atisha said: “Faith and devotion, devotion, devotion. That is the instruction.” We never know devotion is the instruction, right?
People usually don’t sit much. If they sit because they are tired, that is it. I don’t think they are aware or practice their awareness. So, what is lacking of Dharma practitioner is sitting.
