My dear friends,

The third precept under the fourth point of Geshe Chekawa's Mind Training in Seven Points is:

This profound precept encapsulates the essence of the Bodhisattva path: the cultivation and realization of bodhicitta. Bodhicitta, the altruistic mind of enlightenment, is the central intention that unifies all Dharma practices. It is the heartfelt wish to attain full enlightenment not for oneself alone, but for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Central to this intention is the elimination of self-grasping ignorance (atmagraha-avidya) and its accompanying self-cherishing attitude. Self-grasping ignorance is the fundamental misperception that there is an independent, solid self. This misconception is the root cause of suffering, and a self-cherishing attitude further entrenches this suffering by prioritizing one's own needs and desires above those of others.

The wisdom of emptiness and dependent arising directly counters this ignorance. Emptiness refers to the understanding that all phenomena, including the self, lack inherent existence. Dependent arising reveals that all things come into being in dependence on causes and conditions. Through realizing these truths, practitioners dismantle self-grasping and self-cherishing, creating the conditions for genuine bodhicitta to arise.

Without this wisdom, the aspirational aspect of bodhicitta — the sincere wish to attain enlightenment for the sake of all beings — cannot be fully realized. It is through the integration of the wisdom of emptiness that aspirational bodhicitta transforms into engaged bodhicitta. Engaged bodhicitta involves actively cultivating virtues (paramitas) and performing compassionate actions, driven by the understanding of the true nature of reality.

Thus, the single intention of all Dharma practices is to uproot self-grasping ignorance and self-cherishing through the realization of emptiness and dependent arising. This intention aligns all spiritual practices towards the Bodhisattva's ultimate goal: achieving full enlightenment to liberate all beings from suffering. This harmonization of wisdom and compassion is the very heart of the Bodhisattva path.

In a broader spiritual context, this single intention resonates with the Christian teaching of loving one's neighbor as oneself, reflecting the compassion and selflessness exemplified by Jesus. In this light, the Holy Spirit can be seen as a metaphor for bodhicitta, inspiring practitioners to embody love, compassion, and wisdom in all their actions. This continuous transformation of the mind and heart aligns the practitioner's life with the divine purpose of alleviating suffering and fostering spiritual awakening in all beings.

Therefore, the third precept, "All Dharma collects into one intention," serves as a powerful reminder and guide for practitioners on the Bodhisattva path. It directs all spiritual efforts towards the elimination of self-grasping ignorance and the cultivation of bodhicitta through the profound understanding of emptiness and dependent arising. This unified intention ensures that every aspect of one's practice contributes to the ultimate goal of enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.