Who Says I'm a Bodhisattva!

To be a bodhisattva, it does not necessarily means you have to be a Buddhist...

There are beautiful beings who came to this world. To give a historical example, once upon a time in Tibet, all the Tibetans were cheated by the Indian sadhus who came to Tibet. They showed all kinds of magical things, making the Tibetans so excited and followed them. The then king of Tibet, whose name was Palama Yeshedu, I do not know how to translate into English, but his name can simply mean the “light or rays of wisdom”. He was deeply concerned about this matter. He loved the Tibetan people so much and he was worried about them because they were losing their principles. Therefore, he went to India to invite Atisha to Tibet to solve this problem and request him to give genuine Dharma.

On the way, he was caught by a Muslim king, as the king knew that he was going to India to invite this great master Atisha. So, he was subsequently put in the jail and the Muslim king demanded gold as huge as a human body. His nephew was Alema Changchubge, whose name means “light or rays of bodhi”. He went to search for the gold but he could not find. He found 75% of the, but there still remained 25%, which he could not find. Hence, Palama Yeshedu told his nephew, “Now, forget about that. You should go to India on behalf of me and request Atisha to come to Tibet to turn the genuine wheel of Dharma. I myself will give up my life for the people of Tibet.” This is because he could not tolerate the sufferings of his people in Tibet, who did not have genuine Dharma, were cheated with the so-called magic by others and they mistook this as genuine Dharma. In the end, Palama Yeshedu gave up his life and his nephew went to Tibet to invite Atisha. Atisha then went to Tibet and saw all the problems and there he turned the genuine wheel of Dharma.

Bodhicitta is like this. Palama Yeshedu did not do it for himself although he had the power and the name of a king. He gave up his life for the purpose of genuine Dharma and the purpose of benefitting beings in Tibet. He valued Dharma. He could not tolerate this. What I am saying here is the compassion and loving-kindness of a bodhisattva is like this. When we say, “I am nothing, others are more important. I am a bodhisattva.” We can simply say and repeat these words. But, when adverse events come to you, you are the first. At that time, you will think, “Ok later. Now, me first.” So, here I am trying to tell you here when you see these words “mind to benefiting beings, both directly and indirectly”, it menas any activities you engage in should be for benefiting beings. And Palama Yeshedu is such kind of person who came out of Tibet.

So, if you are a bodhisattva or if you had taken bodhisattva vows, then you cannot deny you are not a bodhisattva. If you had taken bodhisattva vows and yet, you are not a bodhisattva –- I do not understand this idea. I can give you another funny example, just for fun. This is a true story in 2005.

I was in Germany. My translator is a very well-known translator from Tibetan into German. He is much, much older than me, and he can be considered as quite an long-time practitioner. His guru is also very well-known – I do not have to say the name. He was supposed to come earlier than me to the teaching venue. However, he came late. I arrived today, but he arrived at midnight. And then, there was no transportation because nobody knew where he is and where is he coming from as he had not informed correctly. So, the members of the centre were also confused as there was no communication. He was stuck at the train station for almost four hours. He was expecting transportation. By the time he arrived at midnight, the centre members had left already. After that, he took a taxi. The next morning when he came to the centre for breakfast, he was so angry.

I know him very well and he is like that. I asked him, “What’s wrong? Are you ok?”

“I’m not ok!” he replied.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

Then, he said, “How come nobody arrange transportation for me…” As he said, he was so shaky.

I said, “Calm down, calm down. You are a very old practitioner. You have taken bodhisattva vows. Your guru is a very well-known guru…”

Then, he got more angry, “Who said I am a bodhisattva?!!”

Another monk was also there as a witness. I did not make up stories. This monk was there. In fact, the monk was very close to him also! This was why I said to him, “You are a bodhisattva. Each and every time, you take initiation, you are repeating and reciting the verses of generating bodhicitta. So, you are a bodhisattva.” Then, he said, “Who says I’m a bodhisattva?”

You see! It is very funny. On one hand, you say you are a very long-time practitioner, and yet on the other hand, you lose temper and say you are not a bodhisattva just because of transportation. Just because of no transportation, bodhicitta gone! No cup of tea, bodhicitta gone! In this way, how can we achieve bodhicitta? It should not be like this.

This is why I keep reminding my friends, “You better not say you have taken bodhisattva vows. Just do practice and don't expect anything." This is better. So, when we repeat “Sangye cho dang cho kyi cho nam la…” everytime and still like that, this is not a very good image -- particularly when the free thinkers, Christians and Judaism practitioners are there. They will be thinking, “What bodhisattva is this?” This is why I am trying to tell you now by giving an example. I am not blaming him. But this is a good example as it automatically happened to him. For me, it was a good lesson. Therefore, it will be a good lesson to you as well to be cautious in the future.

- Sangye Nyenpa Rinpoche, Precious Garland of Supreme Path by Gampopa (14 May 2009)