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Lesson 1 (from Chapters 1-3)

Objective

Chapter 1

In this chapter, Chodron introduces the term bodhichitta by breaking it down into its two parts, chitta meaning mind, heart, or attitude, and bodhi meaning awake, enlightened, or completely open. The Buddha described bodhichitta as always present, even at our lowest moments, a door, however small, that we can choose to open or keep opened. The objective of this lesson is to examine the concept of bodhichitta and the Buddhist tradition.

Lesson

1) Class Discussion: Why is the concept of bodhichitta important? Why do you believe that the author began the book with this concept? How does she try to establish its importance?

2) Class Debate: Divide the class into two groups. Have one group argue as if they were convinced of the importance of bodhichitta while the other group claims that it is unimportant. How can they back up these claims?

3) Small Group Discussion: Chodron uses...

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