Prasangika Madhyamika (Consequentialist Middle Way) tenet
Prasangika Madhyamika (Consequentialist Middle Way) tenet
According to this tenet, vows are very subtle physical form which is why when Bodhisattvas newly take and receive the Bodhisattva vow a very subtle form manifests in their continua. This form remains as long as Bodhisattvas keep the vow.
Hence, aspirational Bodhicitta only arises on the small path of accumulation because Bodhisattvas take the Bodhisattva vow at the latest on the middling path of accumulation and once they have reached this level of the path of accumulation there is no transgression of the vow. Therefore, from the middling path of accumulation onward Bodhicitta in the continua of those who have taken the Bodhisattva vow is always engaging Bodhicitta.
Demarcation of aspirational and engaging Bodhicitta according to the Prasangika tenet
As explained above, aspirational Bodhicitta only arises on the small path of accumulation whereas engaging Bodhicitta arises on the small, middling and great path of accumulation as well as on the path of preparation, the path of seeing, the path of meditation and the path of no-more-learning.
Please note that another difference between the Svatantrika Madhyamika and the Prasangika Madhyamika tenets lies in their different assertions regarding the time when Bodhisattvas overcomes the afflictive obstructions (the obstructions to liberation). According to the Svatantrika Madhyamika tenet Bodhisattvas overcome the afflictive obstructions and the cognitive obstructions (obstructions to omniscience) simultaneously and thus becomes an Arhat and a Buddha at the same time.
According to the Prasangika Madhyamika tenet Bodhisattvas overcome the afflictive obstructions (and become an Arhat) on the eighth Bodhisattva bhumi/ground and therefore become an Arhat before they become a Buddha.
Precepts and Vows
Aspirational Bodhicitta:
There is a ceremony for aspirational Bodhicitta in which we may take part because either
1. We formally affirm our aspiration (which creates tremendous merit), or
2. On a deeper level, we make the commitment to never give up Bodhicitta, to preserve the precepts of
aspirational Bodhicitta and to prevent its decline
The person who confers aspirational Bodhicitta should hold the aspirational Bodhicitta precepts and the Bodhisattva vows. The person who takes aspirational Bodhicitta should have generated Bodhicitta or at least take refuge in the three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha), have some renunciation, and appreciation of their precious human rebirth.
Four precepts of aspirational Bodhicitta
1. To maintain the enthusiasm for Bodhicitta by meditating on it again and again,
2. To increase the strength of Bodhicitta by training ourselves in it three times during the day and three
times as night
3. To train ourselves to never abandon a single sentient being - no matter how someone behaves.
4. To make an effort to create the two accumulations of merit and wisdom.
