path praised by bodhisattvas,
gateway to liberation,
this I will explain as best I can.
Je Tsongkhapa's Three Principal Aspects of the Path, translated by Gelek Rimpoche as The Three Principles of the Path,encapsulates the essence of the Buddhist path to enlightenment. These three principal aspects are:
- Renunciation: This is the "Heart of the Buddha's teachings." Renunciation in this context means a profound realization of the unsatisfactory nature of all samsaric (worldly) existence. It's an inner turning away from the chase after transient pleasures and a deep yearning for liberation from the cycle of birth, suffering, death, and rebirth (samsara). This realization fosters a commitment to seek a more profound, lasting state of happiness and peace.
has set me free from the law of sin and death.
-- Romans 8:2
- Bodhicitta: This is the "path praised by bodhisattvas." Bodhicitta, or the mind of enlightenment, is the altruistic intention to attain enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. It's a shift from self-centered striving to a compassionate wish to help others attain enlightenment. Bodhisattvas, who embody this aspiration, work tirelessly for the benefit of others, motivated by profound love and compassion.
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death
-- even death on a cross.
-- Philippians 2:5-8
- Correct View of Emptiness: This is the "gateway to liberation." It refers to the profound understanding of the ultimate nature of reality, specifically the emptiness of inherent existence of all phenomena. According to Buddhist philosophy, all things are interdependent and lack an intrinsic, independent essence. This wisdom helps to overcome ignorance, which is the root cause of suffering in Buddhist teachings.
for we do not know how to pray as we ought,
but that very Spirit intercedes
with sighs too deep for words.
-- Romans 8:26
Together, these three aspects form a comprehensive path:
- Renunciation provides the motivation to embark and persist on the spiritual path, recognizing the limitations of worldly pursuits.
- Bodhicitta directs this motivation towards the service of others, expanding the practitioner's scope from personal liberation to universal enlightenment.
- Correct View of Emptiness offers the wisdom needed to navigate this path effectively, cutting through delusions and misunderstandings about the nature of reality.
In practice, these aspects are deeply interconnected, each reinforcing and deepening the other, guiding practitioners towards spiritual maturity and ultimately, enlightenment.