Second, developing the enlightened mind is as follows.

From now until samsara becomes empty, I will strive for the benefit and happiness of sentient beings, who have all been my mothers.

The categories of bodhichitta according to the strength of capacities are as follows.

To have the wish first to achieve liberation for oneself and then to benefit all parent sentient beings is the bodhichitta that is like a king. To strive diligently to bring oneself and all parent sentient beings to the state of liberation together, like bringing all the passengers on a ship along with oneself together across the sea, is the bodhichitta that is like a sea captain. To cherish others more than oneself, wishing first to liberate all beings from the suffering of cyclic existence, and then to attain the state of liberation oneself, like a shepherd who protects animals such as cattle and sheep from the fear of wild predators by taking care of the needs of the herd before considering himself, is the unsurpassed bodhichitta that is like a shepherd. In this way, embracing any of these three attitudes according to the strength of one’s mind is as said:

Skillful in giving the vow-bestowing ceremony, And personally upholding whatever vow is being conferred, The preceptor who gives the vows must have compassion and patience. The supreme noble Lama who has these qualities should be recognized.

A Cascading Waterfall of Nectar
by Thinley Norbu
Shambhala Publishing