 Bodhicitta and Renunciation
I will now teach you a little bit about Tibetan Buddhism. I am a Buddhist and my whole way of training is according to the Buddhist teaching or Buddha Dharma. I speak from my own experience and I feel that no one has the right to impose his or her beliefs on another person. I will not propose to you that my way is best. If you find some point which may be suitable for you, then you can investigate and play with these ideas for yourself. If you find that they are of no use, then you can discard them. The decision is up to you.
 Now, I would like to share with you two of the most important principles of the path. The first is Bodhicitta and the second is Renunciation. Bodhicitta is the foundation of the Mahayana (Greater Path), while Renunciation is the foundation of the Hinayana (Lesser Path).
So therefore, before listening to the teachings it is very important to give rise to Bodhicitta, the supreme mind of enlightenment. Bodhicitta has a very profound meaning. The essence of Bodhicitta basically means having a good, kind heart. Another meaning is that you help others when you are able. Then, when you are not able to help, you refrain from causing them harm and refrain from having negative emotions towards them. For example, if you are standing on a beach and someone is drowning and if you are a good swimmer you would help them. But if you don’t know how to swim at least you wouldn’t throw rocks on their head. Without Bodhicitta, even if you practice a lot, it will not be beneficial for you or anyone else. So the first step in your practice should be to give rise to Bodhicitta. Bodhicitta is the foundation and most important principle of the entire Mahayana path.
The second most important principle is Renunciation. To understand Renunciation you must first to know what Samsara is. Samsara is the Sanskrit term for wheel. Just as a wheel goes around and around, and has no beginning and no end, Samsara depicts the endless cycle of existence. As long as you return to Samsara again and again you will continue to experience suffering. Therefore, you need to break free from Samsara in order to find freedom from suffering. So, in Tibetan Buddhism, Renunciation means knowing that the nature of Samsara is suffering and with this realization giving rise to the desire to be free from suffering.
Renunciation is difficult for most Westerners because they do not recognize that samsara is suffering. But if you really think about it closely and analyze it you will see the truth in this idea.
For instance, when you buy something new you are very excited about the purchase, like a computer, for example. However, sooner or later something will happen. Perhaps a new version of the computer becomes available and yours is now outdated, or you get a scratch on the screen or spill your soda on the keypad. Then you will become very angry and upset or at least withdrawn and disappointed. This is the nature of impermanence and change. The suffering of Samsara occurs because of changes like this. So you must remember that Samsara will not bring lasting happiness. You should try to cultivate the desire to be free from Samsara.
According to Buddhism, these two concepts, Bodhicitta and Renunciation, are very important for beginners to understand and apply.
The 17 Great panditas of Glorious Nalanda
"All the marvelous explanations of the profound and vast teachings excellently by Lord Buddha which were composed by these scholars from the noble land of India can open the eyes of intelligence in anyone who has discerning awareness.
That these teachings are still being studied, reflected and meditated upon today, and have not diminished after almost 2550 years, is due to the kindness of these great scholars. At this time, when the whole world has witnessed tremendous advancement in the fields of science and technology, but we are also greatly distracted by the hustle and bustle of our hectic lives, it is crucially important for all of us who follow the Buddha to develop faith based upon an understanding of the Buddha’s Dharma teachings. Therefore, we should investigate them, by analyzing and inquiring with an unbiased and inquisitive mind.
If we are to develop this faith that is supported by understanding, the outstanding works of the profound and vast traditions composed by the masters universally renowned the ‘Six Ornaments and Two Supreme Ones’, as well as others such as Buddhapalita and Arya Vimuktisena are indispensable."
From the words of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
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