Showing results by author "Shantideva" in All Categories

Treasured by Buddhists of all traditions, The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicharyavatara) is a guide to cultivating the mind of enlightenment, and to generating the qualities of love, compassion, generosity, and patience. This text has been studied, practiced, and expounded upon in an unbroken...

Explore the profound teachings of Shantideva, the esteemed author of the Bodhicaryavatara, a poetic masterpiece that guides seekers on the journey to enlightenment. This revered text, often referred to as A Guide to the Bodhisattvas Way of Life or Entering the Path of Enlightenment, intricately outlines the stages of achieving buddhahood, from the initial aspiration to the ultimate realization. With ten insightful chapters, it delves into the cultivation of bodhicitta—the mind of enlightenment—through the practice of the six perfections (Pāramitās). The first chapter emphasizes the ...

Written by the medieval Indian Buddhist monk Shantideva, The Bodhicaryavatara is one of the most beloved and frequently taught works in Buddhism and a favorite of the Dalai Lama. An inspiring and powerful poem that uses a gripping, first-person, confessional voice, it is the most systematic work of ethical thought in the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist tradition. And its invaluable insights, exhortations, and encouragements about how we can relieve suffering by becoming more caring and compassionate are universal.