Cultivation does not primarily take place on the meditation cushion. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III describes it as the work of dealing with others daily, with one’s own anger, and with one’s own habits. Two Dharma discourses provide specific guidance for this: Learning from Buddha provides, among other things, the method of daily examination, and What is Cultivation? provides the content against which we examine ourselves.
The Method: The Three Daily Self-Examinations
In Learning from Buddha, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III gives an instruction for everyday life that is as simple as it is profound:
Morning: Set the intention. Resolve to benefit others today, to cause no harm, and to act out of pure compassion.
Noon: Examine. Pause and sincerely ask yourself whether you have acted in accordance with your morning intention so far.
Evening: Examine again. Do the actions, words, and thoughts of the entire day align with the conduct of a Bodhisattva?
H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III makes it clear how far this consistent examination goes. According to His words, whoever performs it sincerely and daily is already a Bodhisattva in the causal stage. What still needs to be developed are the special powers of realization, which arise through further formal Dharma practice.
However, for this self-examination not to remain on the surface, it needs a specific focus.
The Focus: What Exactly Are We Examining?
What does it mean in everyday life to act like a Bodhisattva? In What is Cultivation?, H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III describes two sets of seven branches of the bodhicitta dharma. These fourteen branches form the standard for daily examination.
The first set relates to the inner attitude: Great Compassion for All Living Beings as My Mother Bodhicitta.
These seven forms of practice range from recognizing that all living beings are deeply connected with one another in the endless cycle of reincarnation, to deeply felt gratitude, loving-kindness, and compassion, all the way to renouncing greed and eliminating all attachment.
The second set relates to outward action: Bodhisattva Correspondence Bodhicitta.
These seven forms of practice range from recognizing the equality of self and others, to exchanging suffering and happiness, stepping aside for the benefit of others, and sincerely dedicating merit, all the way to fearlessly protecting the Dharma.
The complete explanations and practice instructions for all fourteen branches are detailed in the Dharma discourse.
The Goal: True Cultivation
Anyone who begins to examine and correct themselves according to these fourteen branches will quickly realize how exhausting it is to overcome their own habits. H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III calls this phase “coarse cultivation.” One implements the branches with the utmost effort, but complete cultivation is not yet achieved because one is still attached to the self.
The encouraging goal of this daily practice is “true cultivation.” The transition there is not the result of even more effort or force. It happens through letting go. According to the words of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III, whoever lets go of attachment to self immediately enters true cultivation. Right conduct no longer has to be forced, but arises completely naturally.
For Study
The complete instruction on daily examination and its connection to the entire path of practice can be found in the Dharma discourse Learning from Buddha. The detailed presentation of the fourteen branches is found in What is Cultivation?.
To ensure that one does not unknowingly slip into wrong attitudes on this path of daily examination, a clear standard is needed. This indispensable corrective is offered by the next page.