Bodhichitta refers to the precious awakening mind of great compassion that takes responsibility for freeing all beings from suffering. His Holiness spoke about how generating the mind of awakening is extremely precious. In Bodh Gaya the Buddha stepped out of his culture and walked out of the prevailing norms and gave the gift of a new consciousness, a new outlook that ends suffering. In a similar way, dedicating oneself to fully awaken for the sake of others is out of step with dominant cultural ideas but to me I can’t see any other purpose to living. In a book I recently read it asks you to contemplate, “If death is the only certainty and the time of death is uncertain, what shall I do?” Well, bodhchitta seems all the more relevant when contemplating this. At the Root Institute I studied with two amazing nuns: Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi (I first did a teaching with her in Delhi) and Venerable Lundhup Damcho. In the past year Venerable Damcho has become a dear friend. It was she who urged me to invite His Holiness the Karmapa to my school.

There are no words to capture exactly how I felt when I was sitting under the Bodhi tree meditating. But, as I sat a deep sense of confidence came over me that awakening is possible and if the Buddha did it so can we. I literally felt the universe holding me up and carrying me in her arms close to her heart during my time in Bodh Gaya.

While in Bodh Gaya I received the blessings of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. I also read many books including What Makes You Not a Buddhist by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse and went through a few translations of Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life. I was also determined to obtain seeds and leaves from the Bodhi tree so I befriended the Monk who ran the Mahanirvana Temple that houses the auspicious tree. Initially, I didn’t get the best feeling about this Monk but I wanted to make every effort to get seeds and leaves from the Bodhi tree. He took me to the Temple gardener who gave me "pukka" seeds from the Bodhi tree AND about 30 leaves which I framed and distributed to special family and friends. Unfortunately, as I suspected the Monk began hitting on me in the most inappropriate way. First it began with harmless comments like when he said, “I don’t know why I’m helping you and going out of my way! Perhaps we were lovers in a past life.” But then his advances became more inappropriate. I wanted to remind him about the precepts but I was concerned that I wouldn’t get the leaves and seeds I wanted. I just tried to change the subject as he hit on me. As soon as I got the seeds and leaves I left the Temple compound and headed for the Gaya train station to make my way back to Delhi. I’m slightly ashamed that I tolerated his inappropriate conduct but I did get seeds and leaves from THE Bodhi tree. Being a young woman has its drawbacks and benefits I guess…

From Stephen Batchelor’s translation of Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life:

May I be an island for those who seek one, and a lamp for those desiring light, may I be a bed for all who wish to rest and a slave for all who want a slave. May I be a wishing jewel, a magic vase, powerful mantras and great medicine, may I become a wish-fulfilling tree, and a cow of plenty for the world. Just like space and the great elements such as earth may I always support the lives, of all the boundless creatures. And until they pass away from pain, may I also be the source of life for all the realms of varied beings that reach unto the ends of space. Just as the previous Sugatas gave birth to an Awakening Mind, and just as they successively dwelt in the Bodhisattva practices; likewise, for the sake of all that lives do I give birth to an Awakening Mind, and likewise shall I, too, successively follow the practices. In order to further increase it from now on, those with discernment who have lucidly seized an Awakening Mind in this way, should highly praise it in the following manner: Today my life has (borne) fruit; Having well obtained this human existence, I’ve been born in the family of Buddha. and am one of Buddha’s Children. Thus, whatever actions I do from now on must be in accord with the family. Never shall I disgrace or pollute this noble and unsullied race. Just like a blindman discovering a jewel in a heap of rubbish, likewise, by some coincidence, an Awakening Mind has been born within me. It is the supreme ambrosia. That overcomes the sovereignty of death, it is the inexhaustible treasure that eliminates all poverty in the world. It is the supreme medicine that quells the world’s disease. It is the tree that shelters all beings wandering and tired on the path of conditioned existence. It is the universal bridge that leads to freedom from unhappy states of birth, it is the dawning moon of the mind. That dispels the torment of disturbing conceptions. It is the great sun that finally removes the misty ignorance of the world, it is the quintessential butter from the churning of the milk of Dharma. For all those guests traveling on the path of conditioned existence who wish to experience the bounties of happiness, this will satisfy them with joy And actually place them in supreme bliss. Today in the presence of all the Protectors I invite the world to be guests at a festival of temporary and ultimate delight. May gods, demi-gods and all be joyful.