My dear friends,

The third precept in Atiśa's "The Best" is:

Great altruism is the motivation to act for the benefit of all beings without expecting anything in return, which is the spirit behind the Four Immeasurables (brahmaviharas or "divine abodes"), foundational practices in Mahayana Buddhism aimed at cultivating boundless positive qualities:

• Compassion and loving-kindness are direct expressions of altruism. Altruism drives the desire for all beings to be happy and free from suffering, encompassing the essence of both love and compassion.
• Sympathetic joy arises when one genuinely rejoices in the well-being of others. This joy is an altruistic response that puts others' happiness on par with one's own.
• Equanimity is required to practice altruism universally, without bias or discrimination. True altruism embraces all beings equally, which is the core aim of developing equanimity.

Great altruism incorporates all these immeasurable qualities, pushing one beyond personal concerns and into the realm of universal care and compassion.

Why Is It the Best Excellence?

Great altruism is considered the "best excellence" because it embodies the highest intention of the Mahayana path: to attain enlightenment for the sake of all beings. This selfless motivation is what differentiates the Bodhisattva ideal from more individual-focused spiritual paths. It represents:

1. Transcending Self-Centeredness: Great altruism involves going beyond personal egoic interests, aiming to alleviate the suffering of all beings.
2. Fundamental Goodness: By cultivating altruism, one manifests qualities like compassion, generosity, and wisdom, which are deemed universally beneficial and intrinsically virtuous.
3. Spiritual Development: Altruism leads to the reduction of afflictive emotions like greed, hatred, and ignorance, directly supporting progress towards enlightenment. It becomes a pathway to purify the mind.

How Can It Be Developed?

Great altruism can be developed through several practices and approaches:

1. Meditation on the Four Immeasurables: Cultivating loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity directly nurtures the altruistic mindset. By contemplating the well-being of others, one shifts focus from self-centered concerns to the greater good.
2. Bodhicitta Practice: Developing bodhicitta, the mind of awakening, is central to fostering great altruism. Bodhicitta is the sincere wish to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. Methods like equalization of self with others are traditional approaches to cultivating this intention.
3. Engaging in Altruistic Actions: Practicing generosity, ethical conduct, and compassionate actions in daily life reinforces altruistic tendencies. These practices align one's actions with one's intent, thereby strengthening great altruism.
4. Reflecting on Interdependence: Understanding the interconnectedness of all beings can enhance altruistic motivation. Reflecting on how one's well-being is intertwined with that of others can inspire a deep sense of care and responsibility towards all sentient beings.
5. Overcoming Self-Grasping: Reducing the attachment to the idea of a fixed, independent self helps break down barriers between oneself and others. This, in turn, makes it easier to genuinely wish for and work towards others' welfare.

Great altruism represents the culmination of ethical conduct, compassion, and wisdom. It is transformative both for oneself and for others, making it a pinnacle of spiritual practice. By nurturing this quality, one aligns oneself with the Bodhisattva ideal, working towards enlightenment in a way that directly benefits all sentient beings.