Bodhisattva’s refuge and ethical conduct

• Four specific activities in relation to each of the three jewels
• Full awakening and great compassion
• Three kinds of wisdom
• Bodhisattvas and Shravakas
• Three higher trainings in fundamental vehicle, perfection vehicle, and vajrayana vehicle
• Two views about Shakyamuni Buddha’s awakening
• Three ways in which the three higher trainings are higher
• Refuge in the three jewels, understanding of selflessness, and aspiration for liberation or awakening
• Various levels of ethical code
• How keeping precepts reduces untamed states of mind and increases beneficial states of mind
• How the three higher trainings are related and builds on the next
• Mental factors of mindfulness and introspective awareness

24 Bodhisattva’s Refuge and Ethical Conduct (download)

Contemplation points

1. Contemplate:
   • Why are each of these so important for those aspiring towards and progressing on the bodhisattva path?
   • In what ways are you cultivating these in your practice now?
   • In what ways are you struggling with each of these in your practice now?
   • Why does His Holiness the Dalai Lama say that living them requires an open mind and great joyous effort?
2. What are the three reasons that the Buddha’s teachings on ethical conduct, concentration, and wisdom are called “higher” trainings?
3. Why are all three higher trainings essential for attaining full awakening? Walk through the results if only one or two of the trainings are cultivated?
4. Why are sensual enjoyments, wealth, power, social status, and praise not the purpose of life for those practicing the Buddhist path? What is the deeper purpose of this life for a practitioner?
5. How do the three higher trainings build upon each other as we practice them? Why is it important to start with the practice of ethical conduct?