Each kingdom gives to others. Doing so, kingdoms assist and sustain the well-being of other forms of life which then fosters the development and well-being of the kingdom that is helping or giving. For human beings it is the same, but we are the youngest kingdom on the planet and, as such, are in a childlike stage of understanding and demonstration of bodhichitta.
What is bodhichitta? The word is Sanskrit and ancient. It is used to describe kind-heartedness. Literally, the word translates as lighted or awakened (bodhi) mind or activity of the mind (chitta). However, in order to understand mind or lighted fairly correctly in their Sanskrit meanings, one must broaden the definitions of both. Lighted (bodhi) is a radiant, clear kind of perception. Bodhi is related to an inner pervasive luminous energy shared by all existence. To use bodhi in this way, then, is to speak of an awakened (“Oh, now I understand.”) state of being. Chitta also must be loosed from hard or small definitions, but such is the case with Sanskrit overall: its terms often refer to full and multi-layered concepts and philosophical or ontological or metaphysical principles. Chitta is the activity of the mind, but mind is not reduced to strictly mental processes nor activity to mental churning. Chitta, in this case, refers to the activities of an awakened, lighted awareness. Bodhichitta, then, is to think, act, speak, create, relate, and live from the light within. Bodhichitta is often translated as altruistic mind or mind of enlightenment – meaning a person oriented toward enlightenment or someone living from creative kindness.
The mineral, plant, and animal kingdoms of Earth are not comprised of people, but they express and live from varying types of maturity and expression of bodhichitta. To do so is to live from the bodhisattva nature innate within all sentient beings. Bodhisattva (Sanskrit) translates as lighted being (sattva), awakened being, a being living from and demonstrating creative kindness in a variety of ways.
The animal kingdom is the second youngest kingdom on Earth, human beings being the most recent and youngest. The animal kingdom is still young in its expression of bodhichitta being overall still focused on taking as well as on self-importance. For example, consider grazing and the plethora of animals that graze in the variety of ways that grazing is done. The tops of trees provide grazing to birds, insects, and primates while the ground provides grazing to other kinds of animals including insects. To graze is to take. Consider water consumption by animals all over the planet, except aquatic ones. Consumption is similar in the animal and human kingdoms. Compare this to the the plant kingdom which, though it consumes water and minerals, is implicit in the creation of weather, thus the fall of rain and snow on Earth thereby water is replenished. Animal waste, such as dung or bones, certainly return to the earth some of riches that had been taken and consumed.
The animal kingdom is a source of food for itself as well as for the human kingdom. Predator-prey, then, is a developmental stage of learning to give. Parenting is also. Interestingly, both these behavioral patterns foster a sense of self, the sense of individual. On the plains or savannah, the predator evaluates a herd for the weak individual. In the ocean, a shoal of fish will school into a tight ball of oneness so that an individual is less easily picked off by the shark, dolphin, or marlin. In the sky, the raptors will look for the stray bat in the dusk-ascending flock. The predator is looking for the individual, and the prey understands that separated means easy target. Human beings will use this same technique in schoolyard bullying, in politics, and in war. Then, it is called “divide and conquer.”
As already stated, human beings are the youngest kingdom on Earth. Like a baby, humanity’s attentions are focused on primal biological and survival needs. As a result, human beings express taking far more than giving. Just as an infant cannot feed, protect, or clothe itself, nor survive or live alone, humanity is learning that it, as a whole, also cannot live isolated or unto itself. Humanity is fed through the sacrifice (bodhichitta) of other kingdoms. We exist within the interdependent connectedness of all life on Earth. Yet, the world is experiencing a cycle of political unrest as well as global warming which are directly related to humanity taking. By the same token, when interconnectedness of species, Earth, and action are acknowledged, then humanity takes less. This is like a child learning to share or learning patience and not to interrupt.
Once again Donna you have given me an increased understanding of bodhichitta, bodhisattva & reminded me of the need to live from kindness, selflessness & care for others including the mineral, plant & animal kingdoms. Thank you for helping me along the path.
so glad, Anne, that clarity and application are arising! peace and light, dear one.
How joyous that, once again Anne, you feel met by the meditation. My heart is joyous!
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