Bodhicitta-generation ritual

Bodhicitta ("the mind of enlightenment") is the intention to attain enlightenment for the sake of all sentient beings. Bodhicitta is considered to be the central motivation for religious practice in the Mahāyāna. While bodhicitta may be practiced as a form of meditation, it can also be generated ritualistically in front of a master or a visualized deity. Such a ritual procedure serves to implant seeds within the disciple for the further cultivation of bodhicitta. The generation of bodhicitta is part of many sutra and tantric rituals, like the taking of bodhisattva vows, and tantric initiation. However, bodhicitta generation rituals are sometimes stand-alone rites, as commonly performed by the present Dalai Lama.