DHARMA THEMES AT MWS
BODHICITTA
Essential Question: What does it mean to wish to benefit all beings, to reduce their suffering, and to help them achieve true happiness? How do we go about this?
WHAT IS BODHICITTA?
Bodhicitta means “awakened mind.” When you are truly awake, your world gets much larger and you see all the causes and conditions that connect us and compel actions and reactions. Seeing the big picture, we are more compassionate. Ultimately, bodhicitta is the heart of the Buddhist path. The wish to benefit all beings, to reduce their suffering, to help them achieve true happiness is the foundation and ideal motivation for all our practice. One must be awake or aware to do this; otherwise one might be operating within a dreamlike egotistical motivation.
LINKING HOME AND SCHOOL
Examples from school for younger children:
This unit lends itself to wonderful nature studies of animal habitats and the workings of the body and the security of home and family. By developing the ability to name the parts of the body, and cultivating awareness of sensations and emotions, as well as the communication skills required to clearly articulate needs, children are building natural safeguards to protect themselves and others. This is also a wonderful unit to practice the etiquette of being a good guest and a good host. As well as studies of migration and refugee crises.
- Read the storybook One Small Thing together and identify all the kind-hearted things each animal does for their raccoon friend who lost his home in a fire.
- Use finger puppets to present a simple story in which one animal helps another spontaneously, not thinking of themselves. Encourage children to create their own bodhicitta stories using the puppets.
- Practice “heart opener” yoga poses like cobra and camel, stretching our front bodies and sensing where our hearts are.
- Have a conversation about Martin Luther King, Jr., and his timeless message to treat everyone with kindness and respect.
For older children:
Start a conversation with prompts such as:
- “What small acts of kindness/outside of self can you offer today?”
- “What does it mean to practice this idea?”
- “Where do you see Bodhicitta show up in your life/world?”
- “What does love mean to you?”
- “What secret bodhisattva acts make both you and the recipient happy?”
FRIDGE POSTER
RECOMMENDED READING
Consider revisiting the MWS Communications Agreement HERE. This guide is a living document to support the Middle Way School community in healthy personal and organizational communications. It speaks to the role of Bodhicitta in our communication with others.
For Children
- One Small Thing by Marsha Diane Arnold
- Bodhisattva by Dominique Townsend
- Love is in the Little Things by Stella J. Jones
Children’s book review Bodhi Sees the World
Caring for Animals
- Earthworms by Borgert-Spaniol
- Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin
- Winnie Finn Worm Farmer by Carol Brendler
For Adults
- Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva
- Pema Chodron’s book, The Wisdom of No Escape, is a commentary on Shantideva.
- Link to Bodhicitta in a Nutshell
- Link to Article on Bodhicitta by Sarah C. Beasley from Buddhistdoor Global
- “Reflections from a Mother on the Path” by Summer Adams from Buddhistdoor Global
- Teachings on Love by Thich Nhat Hanh
- Dipa Ma, The Life & Legacy of a Buddhist Master, by Amy Schmidt
- In Love With the World, by Minguy Rinpoche

JOIN US!
All are welcome to join the Dharma Committee at any time. We currently meet in person monthly. It’s a joy! To learn more, please contact the Dharma Committee Executive Committee at [email protected].