The Buddha said that when we give rise to bodhicitta, then we will accomplish the dual purpose of self and others simultaneously. How will that be accomplished? When asked what your own purpose is, what you want to accomplish, you would answer “I do not want to suffer.” Your purpose is freedom from suffering. Then what is the root of your suffering? The root of your suffering is the self-grasping mind. If you give rise to the altruistic mind, then that is the antidote for the self-centred mind.

If you give rise to an altruistic mind with great love for others, then your own self-grasping and that of others will simultaneously diminish, so in this way, you are helping yourself and also others. The two self-grasping will simultaneously collapse as there is no difference between self and others. It is just like the sun shining on two ice blocks; they melt together.

If you realise that, then you realise the preciousness of bodhicitta. It is said that through the altruistic mind the dual purpose of self and others is spontaneously and simultaneously accomplished.

Regarding bodhicitta, Lord Jigten Sumgon [founder of the Drikung lineage] said in one of his many Vajra songs, “If the steed of love and compassion does not run for the benefit of others, it will not be rewarded in  the assembly of gods and humans.”

The altruistic mind is likened here to the steed or the excellent horse. If you just let it sit and don’t run with it then it will be of no benefit; it runs through cultivating the practice of the six paramitas. When you give rise to bodhicitta, your conduct must become the practice of the six paramitas. Then it doesn’t matter what activity you engage in — whether worldly or Dharmic activity — all your activities become a practice of the six paramitas.

Milarepa said regarding the qualities of bodhicitta, “in whatever you do practice the Dharma perfectly. There are no other skilful means than that.

-- Garchen Rinpoche