Free Downloads A Guide To The Bodhisattva Way Of Life
In the whole of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, there is no single treatise more deeply revered or widely practiced than A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life. Composed in the eighth century by the Indian Bodhisattva Santideva, it became an instant classic in the curricula of the Buddhist monastic universities of India, and its renown has grown ever since. Santideva presents methods to harmonize one's life with the Bodhisattva ideal and inspires the reader to cultivate the perfections of the Bodhisattva: generosity, ethics, patience, zeal, meditative concentration, and wisdom.
Paperback: 152 pages
Publisher: Snow Lion (January 1, 1997)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1559390611
ISBN-13: 978-1559390613
Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 9 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #55,164 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Mahayana #62 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Eastern > Buddhism > Tibetan #12147 in Books > Religion & Spirituality
This translation of the Bodhicaryavatara certainly consitutes the highest quality English translation. The coupling of the Sanskrit and the Tibetan versions provides a definitive accuracy in the meaning of the text. The Sanskrit version alone is cryptic from time to time so that relying on the Tibetan version is very helpful, through its closeness to the western way of expressing things.Although i feel this translation is the best English one, this version should not be used as a first version of the Bodhicaryavatara by newcomers. The translation from Crosby and Skilton is better suited for people not used to the context and the meaning of this text...thanks to its many excellent comments.
I have no understanding the of Tibetan or Sanskirt languages, so it is good to have Buddhist ideas put into English which is easy to comprehend. The translators have translated the Sanskirt as the main verse, but they have also included translations of the Tibetan verse, in the footnotes when the two read differently. They have also explained various names and terms so that new or non Buddhist will have a better understanding of this SPIRITUAL CLASSIC. I hope that you find this book to be as spiritually uplifting as I have found it to be. May this book encourage all who read it, or hear teachings from it to strive to have the Awakening Mind.
Probably the most inspirational book I have ever read. If you have made your way through any of the Dalai Lama's books, especially "Transforming the Mind," you will notice that he quotes Shantideva constantly. It's great to be able to go back and refer to this book for further insight.Compassion is a path that takes constant work in order to walk steadily upon it. Even then, it's a pretty rough road to travel in the beginning. It is my hope that books such as these will open some minds to that path, and also to the plight of the Tibetan people. Wiping this culture from the face of the earth would be a great detriment to all of humanity.
If you like to sit, think, reflect, and learn this is a wonderful book on Buddhist philosophy. It, I found, is not an easy read - but one well worth the mental energy.I would recommend that if you are new to such philosophies that you attempt Thích Nh't H'nh or Dali Lama literature to develop a clearer background in more laymen's terms before attempting this - but I would not hesitate putting it in the same cart.Read it little by little and digest the words. I don't think it's a sit down and plough through book, but it could just be one of the most brilliant books you read - if you are interested in such concepts.
Just holding this book in your hands may transform your entire worldview. It is one of the most profound philosophical treatises I have ever encountered. I will also add that of all the various translations of this text I have read this one is easily the most lucid and poetic.
This book is essential for the Buddhist philosophy, however, I would recommend this guide to someone who is already familiar with the basic teachings. As the title implies, it is a guide for how to live life, and it is written as a list of guiding principles. For someone new to Buddhism and wanting to learn more, I would first recommend an introduction. But I definitely recommend reading this guide to anyone interested in eastern religion or philosophy.
Of everything I have ever read in my life, this is the most convincing treatise inspiring me to learn and practice the teachings of the Buddhas.This is appropriate reading for readers with a very strong comprehension of English as well as some relationship with Buddhist terminology. While any student should attempt to get teachings on this text directly from a living teacher who has had the text "transmitted" to her or him, some students will nonetheless have a much easier time relating to the text immediately, while others may find it to be dense and difficult to understand.Speaking from over a millenium back, Śāntideva accomplishes what few other Buddhist teachers do: in so few words he will describe with shocking prose and precision, both how and why to become a Buddhist. While other classic texts such as the Seven-Point Mind Training may be found more immediately practical in their application, Śāntideva takes the cake for the breadth of material covered, and the profound clarity of his arguments.Having already read a number of modern books on Buddhism, by the time I reached Śāntideva I think I still had not grasped the incredible importance of basing one's aspiration in the actual experience and appreciation of the suffering of others as well as the suffering brought to one by the world of confused beings. He manages to get this across with stunning beauty, clarity and cogency.The book reads a teensy bit like a bible, what with its frequent talk of arriving in hell realms as a consequence of misconduct. But you can get past that. It's not a doctrine, and there's no Pope (and he has no minions) who will force you to take it literally. You can interpret it how you like without losing what he's saying there, which is that our actions all have broader effects than we foresee.
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