Bodhicitta

In Buddhist thought, bodhicitta (Ch. 菩提心, *pudixin*, Jp. *bodaishin*) is the motivation of a Bodhisattva.
Etymologically, this is the combination of the words Bodhi or enlightenment, and Citta – mind, and is sometime translated as *mind of enlightenment*.

Bodhicitta is invariably taught to be selfless determination, as the purpose of enlightenment is not for ones-self, but for the benefit of all beings.

According to the teachings of Shantideva and his followers, there are two flavours of Bodhicitta, which represent.

• The desire for enlightenment – similar to wishing to travel to India.
• Practicing for enlightenment – similar to actually travelling to India.

Moreover, traditions such as Vajrayana establish that there are two more pervasive flavours of Bodhicitta. These are:

• Relative Bodhicitta – the practice for enlightenment based on compassion for all (as above)
• Absolute Bodhicitta – the practice for enlightenment based upon the wisdom of the emptiness of madhyamaka.

References

• Wikipedia (2005). [Bodhicitta](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhicitta) (*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhicitta*). Retrieved 9 March 2005.