What is "Bodhicitta"?
In Mahayana Buddhism, “Bodhicitta” can be simply described as “the resolve to seek enlightenment and liberate all beings from suffering.”
In Sanskrit, it is called “Bodhicitta.”
Bodhi means enlightenment or awakening.
Bodhicitta is the driving force and most crucial starting point for practitioners (Bodhisattvas) in Mahayana Buddhism.
1. The “Two Aspects” of Bodhicitta
Bodhicitta is characterized by not being satisfied with one's own salvation alone, but rather being a set of the following two aspirations:
Seeking Bodhi for Oneself (Jōgu Bodai): Seeking the highest enlightenment (wisdom) for oneself.
Benefiting Sentient Beings: Saving and guiding all suffering beings (living creatures).
This represents a profoundly active and altruistic aspiration.
2. The Union of “Self-Benefit” and “Benefiting Others”
Mahayana Buddhism holds that “saving oneself (self-benefit)” and “saving others (benefiting others)” are inseparable.
This is because it is impossible for one to attain true happiness while others suffer.
Therefore, the logic is that I must become wise, gain wisdom, and attain enlightenment in order to save everyone.
Thus, bodhicitta is described as a set: “I want to attain enlightenment” + “I want to use that enlightenment for others.”
3. The Direction of Bodhicitta
① Aspiration Bodhicitta (Gan)
The aspiration or direction of “I wish to be like this.”
Examples:
I want to reduce the number of suffering people.
I want to find a path where both myself and others can find ease.
② Practice Bodhicitta (Gyo)
Taking actual action.
Examples:
Trying to understand the situation before blaming someone.
Reaching out to help when you have the capacity.
Choosing words carefully to avoid fanning division.
Common Misunderstanding: Doesn't it mean self-sacrifice?
No, it doesn't. Bodhicitta is not about “sacrificing yourself to serve others.”
Rather, it's the opposite: the idea that by removing your own suffering—while also balancing mental imbalances like anger, attachment, and fear—you become able to be kinder to those around you as well.
The goal is “your own happiness.”
