The Bodhisattva's Way of Life of Shantideva (Book)

This is one of the most dearly beloved Buddhist texts and has been translated into over a dozen languages because of its relevance to modern times. This book was written by an eighth century Indian Bodhisattva, Shantideva, and is a comprehensive outline of what it is to be a bodhisattva.

This edition of 265 pages is unique because it contains both a translation of the root text and also a detailed verse by verse commentary by Thrangu Rinpoche, one of the outstanding teachers of our time. Other texts have either a translation of the root text with numerous notes or just the commentary with no root text to go back to.

The Bodhisattva's Way begins explaining how and why to make offerings to the Three Jewels and how to take the bodhisattva vow (which has not changed in 1,300 years). It also covers how to develop compassion towards those we like and also those who want to harm us. This is done by developing selflessness and Shantideva explains how to how to develop patience for those people and things that obstruct us.

The next six chapters of this book gives a detailed analysis of the six perfections or paramitas of Generosity, Discipline or Proper Conduct, Patience, Diligence, Meditation or One-pointed concentration, and Wisdom. In each is a very detailed account of exactly how and why Buddhist should practice each of these transcendental qualities in our daily life. This book also includes the famous ninth chapter which explains how one as a bodhisattva should understand emptiness of all phenomena.

This book was checked by Geshe Lhakdor of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives and published by them. Namo Buddha Publications is the only publisher in the US to make this book available. The book is beautifully typeset and on good quality paper.

An exact PDF copy of this book is now available in the E-Books section of this website for $ 2.00.