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Expert: Bodhicitta - 1/19/2007


Question
Hi Bodhichitta, My name is Val.I'm from Australia very interested in the Buddhist philosophy and Tibet and have learnt enough to know that I don't know much even though sometimes I like to pretend I do.  My question is how can I asscertain  a pure motivation in practice when I have an impure mind? Thanks

Answer
Hi Val
The starting point is Bodhicitta, enlightened mind. WIthout this there is no hope. There is no motivation that will carry
you through the path. The good news is that you have Bodhicitta and you are Bodhicitta, so you should be happy
and enjoy to have confidence in the essence of your nature
which is enlightenment. The Buddhist path is about waking you up to that reality. So you already have pure motivation , it would not be possibe to create it or to buy it somewhere or someone to give it you. How could that possibly work?

So relax and enjoy it
Bodhicittavira  

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Bodhicitta

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JUST TO AVOID ANY CONFUSION: I ONLY ANSWER QUESTIONS RELATING TO PEOPLE'S PERSONAL PRACTICE OF BUDDHISM AND MEDITATION. I DO NOT ANSWER ACADEMIC QUESTIONS OR HOMEWORK QUESTIONS. THERE ARE MANY OTHER RESOURCES FOR THESE THINGS. HOPEFULLY YOU STILL HAVE AN INTERESTING QUESTION OR PERSPECTIVE TO SHARE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR QUESTION...

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25 years of studying, practise and training.
I have taught and practised Buddhism, and Meditation for many years. I am always happy to give a helping hand to other seekers of truth.

Education/Credentials
I am a life long Buddhist. I have followed a number of schools of Buddhism including Zen, Tibetan Buddhist and Theravada. I also have a post-graduate degree in Buddhism and am a Psychologist. I have taught and practised Buddhism, and Meditation for many years. I am always happy to give a helping hand to other seekers of truth.

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