Pure Motivation

[icy]

Generally, in the Buddhist way, if we repair our motivation at the start, our conduct can become pure and correct. If we do not repair our motivation at the start, our conduct cannot become pure and correct. For that reason, we need pure motivation. What pure motivation do we need? Generally, we should undertake activity that benefits ourselves and others rather than activity that harms ourselves and others. If we cherish others more than ourselves, that will serve as a cause of what benefits both others and ourselves. Therefore, let us exert ourselves at activity that benefits others.

[Q]

At our level, to have pure motivation is absolutely impossible... and to say that we have pure motivation would be a total lie. At this level, the extent of our motivation are all tainted with the 8 worldly concerns... although we may not feel it, but our subtly it is there... and if we look closer we will realize it. I believe one does not have pure motivation until one reaches 3rd level Bodhisattva, the path where one does not get dragged down to samsara's delusions anymore.

Until then, we are all tainted with the 8 worldly concerns. I think it is because of this that at our level, instead of forcing on a pure motivation, to have guru devotion is more important. It is through having this devotion that helps us collect greater merits, since our motivation in Dharma is unpure and the merits generated from that is very limited.

Something we should ponder about. I've seen many people treating Lamas very poorly... Some sponsors would actually show a very black face when their Guru tells them off etc. So, before we even think about having pure motivation, think if we're serving our Guru sincerely, the one person that gives us the Dharma.

[diablo1974]

Just a thought: if we think its pure...its aren't pure anymore. For now, most of us are unable to acheieve pure motivation, but good motivation for a moment or for a purpose is possible. we just have to work towards the goal of pure motivation just like the spiritual path one's aiming towards buddhahood.

[RedLantern]

What is the minimum I need to have a genuine practice with the most simplest way? My approach to Tibetan Buddhism is to keep it simple as possible by distilling instructions and practices to the essence of the teachings
In order for that to work,we must invest meaning to the practice.The spiritual law will be that we invest,meaning,it is there when we need it.
Our Guru often gives us the essence of practice and it is up to us to do it.Real faith,not blind faith,is the investment.When the investment of real faith has been made and felt,it is done.It will need maintenance ,but everything that is done need maintenance.

[dondrup]

Generating pure or correct motivation is very important because it determines whether our actions to be performed are virtuous or non-virtuous.  Hence we generate a proper motivation before we perform any virtuous activities such as reciting prayers etc.   A motivation that benefits countless others or bodhichitta would be considered pure motivation.  Whereas a motivation that only concerned for one’s own welfare would be considered as impure motivation. The quality of our motivation also determine the intensity of the result that we will experience in the future.

[buddhalovely]

 The poorest motivation is the wish to gain some benefits in this lifetime, such as wealth and a long life, or to be completely mundane in seeking a reputation for generosity. The status of the recipient is an important factor. The merit gained by making an offering with absolutely pure motivation to a Buddha is immeasurable. Since images and other manifestations of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are to be regarded as no different from them in nature, making offerings such as are made to the mandala deities in the consecration rituals is equivalent to making offerings to the Buddhas.

The Buddhas are exalted objects of offering because they are the ultimate source of refuge, not because they will snatch us out of cyclic existence, but because the teachings they demonstrate enable us to do so ourselves. One's own lama or teacher is also an exalted object of offering, because it is due to his personal kindness and guidance that one can make any progress on the path of development for the benefit of all sentient beings. Nevertheless, since pure motivation is so important, a gift made with a very pure motivation to a needy person is also very meritorious.

[Midakpa]

In everything that we do, we must have pure motivation. Otherwise the action becomes tainted. By "tainted", I mean "tainted with the eight worldly concerns". Therefore, a pure motivation is one that is free of the eight worldly concerns. For example, when we make offerings to the Buddhas, we must not do so out of a desire for praise or good reputation. The eight worldly concerns are gain and loss, pleasure and pain, praise and criticism, fame and infamy. These concerns keep us preoccupied with the well-being of this life and prevent us from focusing on well-being in future lives.

[Dondrup Shugden]

At the point of stream entry into the Bodhichitta path, are we really capable of pure motivation without tainted with the 8 worldly concerns.  I believe whether we subconsciously have some taint from the 8 worldly concerns we must do our best.

From the start of any virtuous act, to ensure that someone else benefits and at the end to dedicate any merits gained to someone else.

Especially when in private prayer sessions, start pure motivation by just asking for world peace and dedicate the prayers for world peace to happen and ask for nothing more.  May be a good start.

What other ways would you recommend.

[fruven]

As we are not Buddhas our motivations are tainted with 8 worldly concerns. The second best would be what could be described as good motivation. We make good motivation when we begin doing any activities. The motivation or intention is determining factor whether it will become merit or karma.

Therefore we should remind ourselves constantly of the 8 worldly concerns to reduce the collections of negative karmas, making it a daily habit, hourly habit.

[Dondrup Shugden]

Thank you Fruven for your contribution.  Can I then safely say that good motivation and intention with be without the 8 worldly concerns and in benefit to others. 

At the same time not to request for anything for ourselves. Because if it is for ourselves then the motivation would be tainted with the 8 worldly concerns.

[yontenjamyang]

As we are not Buddhas our motivations are tainted with 8 worldly concerns. The second best would be what could be described as good motivation. We make good motivation when we begin doing any activities. The motivation or intention is determining factor whether it will become merit or karma.

Therefore we should remind ourselves constantly of the 8 worldly concerns to reduce the collections of negative karmas, making it a daily habit, hourly habit.

It is next to impossible to have pure motivation when one is not enlightened. This is the conundrum. Hence there are only 2 solutions. One with very diligent practice moving away from a selfish mind and motivation to that of a selfless mind and pure motivation. But this is not turning black into white instantly but rather is a very gradual process along a path that in expounded in the sutra and condensed in the Lamrim. By generating relative Boddhicitta and threading paths of the 6 paramitas one can progress from selfishness to selflessness.

The second way to have pure motivation is to work within the mandala of one who has pure motivation ie the Guru. Because the Guru is selfless, His motivation is pure and all his work is from this pure motivation. So even if we do not have a pure motivation but we work within that of a pure motivation, the results will be of purity.
These 2 solutions can be merged into one by practicing the Dharma and working within the mandala of the Guru.

[Dondrup Shugden]

Thank you, Yontenjamyang for the very clear explanations to methods whereby we may achieve some form of progress in our daily lives along our spiritual journey.

The power of the Vajrayana doctrine is the reverence to our Guru who can empower us to enlightenment on our practise of Guru Devotion.

[kelly]

I do agree with what DOndrup Shugden said at our level is very hard to have 100% pure motivation, are motivation right now is still wordly but as day go we should improve our motivation to be free from eight wordly concern I think at least for start we should respect our guru and sincerely practice the Dharma that impart by our guru to us this is the least that we can do follow his instruction do what he said.

[pgdharma]

As we are not Buddhas our motivations are tainted with 8 worldly concerns. The second best would be what could be described as good motivation. We make good motivation when we begin doing any activities. The motivation or intention is determining factor whether it will become merit or karma.

Therefore we should remind ourselves constantly of the 8 worldly concerns to reduce the collections of negative karmas, making it a daily habit, hourly habit.

It is next to impossible to have pure motivation when one is not enlightened. This is the conundrum. Hence there are only 2 solutions. One with very diligent practice moving away from a selfish mind and motivation to that of a selfless mind and pure motivation. But this is not turning black into white instantly but rather is a very gradual process along a path that in expounded in the sutra and condensed in the Lamrim. By generating relative Boddhicitta and threading paths of the 6 paramitas one can progress from selfishness to selflessness.

The second way to have pure motivation is to work within the mandala of one who has pure motivation ie the Guru. Because the Guru is selfless, His motivation is pure and all his work is from this pure motivation. So even if we do not have a pure motivation but we work within that of a pure motivation, the results will be of purity.
These 2 solutions can be merged into one by practicing the Dharma and working within the mandala of the Guru.

I agree with you on your explanation, Yontenjamyang. Guru devotion is crucial for our spiritual progress. Highly attained Masters are selfless and their motivations are pure and if we are near them and following their teachings, we can slowly cultivate the habit of having pure motivation in whatever we do.

[Geraldine Sarie]

Especially when in private prayer sessions, start pure motivation by just asking for world peace and dedicate the prayers for world peace to happen and ask for nothing more.  May be a good start.

Thank you Dondrup Shugden for your simple and clear explanation. As a new comer to understand the usage of pure motivation, I think it’s a good kick start to apply it when doing our personal prayer.