The Bodhisattva Path of Wisdom and Compassion

The Profound Treasury of the Ocean of Dharma is a three-volume collection of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings on the Buddhist path. The second volume, The Bodhisattva Path of Wisdom and Compassion, focuses on the mahayana path and provides a comprehensive guide for practitioners seeking to cultivate wisdom and compassion.

Introduction

The volume begins with an introduction by Judith L. Lief, who provides an overview of the mahayana path and its emphasis on the bodhisattva ideal. She notes that Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings offer a unique perspective on the path, emphasizing the importance of integrating meditation practice with daily life and developing a compassionate engagement with the world.

The Mahayana Path

Trungpa Rinpoche presents the mahayana path as a natural progression from the hinayana path of individual liberation. He emphasizes the importance of developing bodhicitta, or the aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. He notes that this aspiration is not just a theoretical idea, but must be accompanied by concrete action in the world.

The Six Paramitas

Trungpa Rinpoche presents the six paramitas, or perfections, as the essential qualities to cultivate on the mahayana path. These are generosity, discipline, patience, exertion, meditation, and wisdom. He notes that these qualities are not just individual virtues, but are interconnected and mutually supportive.

Generosity

Trungpa Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of developing generosity as a fundamental quality of the bodhisattva path. He notes that generosity is not just about giving material possessions, but about giving one’s time, attention, and love to others. He also notes that generosity is not just a one-time act, but must be continually cultivated.

Discipline

Trungpa Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of developing discipline as a means of taming the mind and developing stability and clarity. He notes that discipline is not just about following rules and regulations, but about developing a sense of self-discipline. That arises from one’s own motivation.

Patience

Trungpa Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of developing patience as a means of working with difficult situations and emotions. He notes that patience is not just about enduring difficulties. Its about developing a sense of openness and curiosity towards them.

Exertion

Trungpa Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of developing exertion as a means of putting the teachings into practice. He notes that exertion is not just about working hard. Its about developing a sense of enthusiasm and joy in one’s practice.

Meditation

Trungpa Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of developing meditation as a means of developing awareness and insight. He notes that meditation is not just about sitting on a cushion. But about cultivating mindfulness and awareness in all aspects of one’s life.

Wisdom

Trungpa Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of developing wisdom as a means of transcending dualistic thinking and realizing the ultimate nature of reality. He notes that wisdom is not just about intellectual understanding, but about direct experience and realization.

Emptiness

Trungpa Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of developing an understanding of emptiness, or shunyata, as a means of transcending dualistic thinking and realizing the ultimate nature of reality. He notes that emptiness is not just a philosophical concept. But a direct experience that arises from the practice of meditation.

Conclusion

The Bodhisattva Path of Wisdom and Compassion is a profound. It is inspiring guide for practitioners seeking to cultivate wisdom and compassion on the mahayana path. Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings offer a comprehensive framework for understanding the path and developing the essential qualities of generosity, discipline.