What Needs to Be Understood to Have a Bodhichitta Aim

To develop a bodhichitta aim, we need to be clear about what bodhichitta is. In order to achieve enlightenment, we need to have the strong intention to achieve it and to benefit others as much as possible with that attainment, as well as be convinced that both are actually possible. That means that we need to understand that we have Buddha-nature. We develop bodhichitta through the first “aspiring” bodhichitta stage, which is aspiring to achieve this enlightenment and being determined never to turn away from working toward it. With the second “engaged” stage, we take the bodhisattva vows and engage in the practices that will bring us to this goal.