The Ground Path and Fruition of the B-Boy/BGirl/BThem Bodhisattva: Pt. 2
The Hiphop Bodhisattva Practice: A Commitment to the Culture and Its People
Ground:
To walk the path of the Hiphop Bodhisattva is to recognize that Hiphop is more than an art form or genre; it is a living culture, a force for change, and a way of being. The Hiphop Bodhisattva understands that the struggles within the culture—oppression, exploitation, violence, and materialism—are not separate from the struggles within ourselves. We acknowledge that our community is suffering and that our practice must serve to alleviate this suffering.
We see our art, our expression, and our movement as tools for awakening. Just as the Bodhisattva vows to save all sentient beings, the Hiphop Bodhisattva vows to uplift, inspire, and liberate all those who resonate with this culture. We commit ourselves to embodying the values of Hiphop—creativity, resistance, community, and resilience—and using these values to transform both ourselves and the world around us.
Path/Practice:
Opening Dedication: "I dedicate my practice to the upliftment of all beings through the power of Hiphop. May my art, my movement, my words, and my presence be of benefit to all who encounter them. May I use my skills, my knowledge, and my creativity to serve the culture, my community, and all sentient beings."
Refuge in Hiphop: "I take refuge in the original spirit of Hiphop—its creativity, its truth, its power to transform pain into power. I take refuge in the community of Hiphop, in the cypher, the crew, and all who hold space for self-expression and freedom. I take refuge in the wisdom of Hiphop, in the knowledge that we are all interconnected, and that my liberation is tied to the liberation of others."
Commitment to the Six Paramitas:
Generosity (Dana): "I commit to sharing my gifts and skills with others, to teaching, mentoring, and uplifting those who come after me. May my actions inspire others to discover their own voice and creative potential."
Ethical Conduct (Sila): "I commit to respecting myself, my community, and the culture. I will not use my art or my words to harm others but will strive to elevate and educate."
Patience (Kshanti): "I commit to being patient with myself and others, knowing that growth and healing take time. I will use my art to express my struggles without causing harm, and I will hold space for others to do the same."
Diligence (Virya): "I commit to working hard, not just for my own gain, but for the betterment of my community. I will practice my craft with discipline and dedication, knowing that my efforts contribute to a larger movement."
Meditation (Dhyana): "I commit to being present in my practice, to moving with intention and awareness. I will use my art as a meditation, a way to explore my mind and my heart, and to connect with others on a deeper level."
Wisdom (Prajna): "I commit to seeking wisdom in all its forms, knowing that my understanding of Hiphop, myself, and the world is ever-evolving. I will remain open to learning and growing, using my insights to serve others."
Aspiration for the Fruition: "May I become a true Hiphop Bodhisattva, using my life and my art to benefit all beings. May my practice be a source of healing, strength, and inspiration. May I walk this path with courage, with humility, and with an unwavering commitment to the welfare of all.
May the fruits of this practice extend beyond myself, rippling out to uplift and liberate those around me. May Hiphop culture find healing, find its heart, and continue to be a beacon of creativity, freedom, and truth for all who seek it."
Closing Dedication: "By this practice, may all beings be free. By this practice, may the culture of Hiphop find peace and power. By this practice, may I always remember that we rise and fall together, and that my liberation is bound up with the liberation of all."
Fruition: The fruition of this practice is the embodiment of a Hiphop Bodhisattva—a practitioner who moves through the world with compassion, wisdom, and a deep commitment to the culture. Through this practice, one becomes an instrument of healing, creativity, and transformation, using the art and values of Hiphop to serve and uplift others. The practitioner recognizes that their journey is not solitary but deeply interconnected with the community and the world. As the practice deepens, the fruits manifest in personal growth, community resilience, and a Hiphop culture that stays true to its roots while evolving in a way that benefits all beings.
To truly walk the path of a Bodhisattva, one must cultivate both relative and ultimate bodhichitta—the aspiration to relieve suffering and the direct experience of reality's true nature. The Six Paramitas, or perfections, guide the Bodhisattva's activity: generosity, ethical conduct, patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom. These qualities are not only ideals but active practices that require deep commitment and insight.
For a B-Boy, the practice of warriorship similarly involves embodying these values within the context of Hiphop culture and within the activity of everyday life. To fully engage in this work, a B-Boy must move beyond surface-level expression and tap into a deeper awareness, a state akin to ultimate bodhichitta—what we might call "a B-Boy's Alpha." This state of pure, unconditioned authenticity can be experienced through the union of shamatha (calm abiding) and vipashyana (clear seeing), allowing both the Hiphop practitioner and the spiritual warrior to find their true essence and express it with clarity, compassion, and purpose.
To embody this deeper state of awareness and cultivate a B-Boy’s Alpha or ultimate bodhichitta, we turn to practice. Just as the Bodhisattva relies on the union of shamatha and vipashyana to achieve a balanced mind—calm, focused, and perceptive—so too does the B-Boy require a disciplined approach that integrates stillness and insight.
Through this practice, we aim to stabilize the mind, cultivate inner clarity, and see beyond the surface level of our thoughts, emotions, and actions. By applying these principles to the elements of Hiphop, practitioners can learn to experience their true nature, both as individuals and as members of a larger community, finding freedom and purpose in their art and their lives.