Commentary on Bodhicitta and The Middling Stages of Meditation; 1-October-2008 (Day 2 of 5; Morning) - Dalai Lama Audio Teachings on Tibetan Buddhism Podcast

Summary: At the start, His Holiness answers questions about the role of gurus on the path and antidotes to laziness. Then he continues explaining the Nagarjuna text by focusing on the harmony between the conventional and ultimate nature of phenomena and each person’s buddha nature. Emptiness does not mean non-existence. Our practical well-being is enhanced by countering the appearance of independent existence with the wisdom of dependent origination. Repeating the mantra of Amitabha as a prayer to a sky-dwelling Buddha of Boundless Light is popular, but the real Amitabha is actualized by those who realize emptiness directly with the subtlest level of consciousness. The bodhicitta mind that leads to such realization is based on valid cognition not wishful daydreaming. His Holiness then introduces Kamalashila and his text, a practical manual for implementing the Bodhisattva Path.