Few texts are more frequently taught and quoted, have as colorful a history, and as much relevance to Buddhists today more than the eighth-century Indian Buddhist monk Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva. The Dalai Lama has said that “if I have any understanding of compassion and the bodhisattva path, it all comes from studying this text.”

The living tradition of this text radiates most brightly from the Tibetan tradition where it was translated from Sanskrit in the ninth century and is central to all the traditions there, the Tibetan diaspora, and those receiving it in the West. You can view our guide to the many works on this text including translations as well as its early and contemporary commentaries.

One singular aspect about the text is that unlike many of the important authored texts from India, it is fundamentally a practice text. As the Dalai Lama described it, “Shantideva composed his text in the form of an inner dialog. He turned his own weapons upon himself, doing battle with his negative emotions. Therefore, when we teach or listen to this text, it is important that we do so in order to progress spiritually, rather than making it simply a subject of academic study.”

In the spirit of this approach, Shambhala Publications and the Tsadra Foundation were pleased to host a four-day workshop on the text led by Wulstan Fletcher of the Padmakara Translation Group and recent recipient of the 2016 Khyentse Foundation Fellowship for his service to the Buddhadharma. Wulstan’s brief biography is below, suffice it to say there are few in the west who have worked as closely with this text and who can articulate so clearly its value, importance, and potential for us all. Wulstan was joined by several of the leading lights in Buddhist studies, translation, and teaching communities of Boulder, Colorado, including Sarah Harding, Holly Gayley, and Judy Lief.

This workshop will be a 360-degree view of the text, exploring its translation, history, commentaries, the famous ninth chapter on wisdom, and its relevance today. In particular, the intention is to present this text from a view of how practitioners today can really connect, relate, and use it in the way it was intended.

Wulstan is an extraordinary translator and scholar who has studied and gone through retreat with some of the greatest masters of the twentieth century. This workshop, which we plan to follow with many more, is meant to help impart the knowledge, experience, and wisdom from people like Wulstan to a new generation of translators, practitioners, and scholars. The Tsadra Foundation flew Wulstan in from France to give us this rare opportunity to engage with him and this extraordinary text that has been so fundamental for so many.

The Way of the Bodhisattva

way of bodhisattva

buddhist

This episode is the first of five in a series on the 8th century classic work of Buddhism, Shantideva's Bodhicharyavatara, or the Way of the Bodhisattva. This episode is an overview of the text, its importance, and its history

Way of the Bodhisattva

The Way Of The Bodhisattva Podcast Part 1/5: Introduction & History

This episode is the second of five in a series on the 8th centry classic work of Buddhism, Shantideva's Bodhicharyavatara, or the Way of the Bodhisattva.  This episode covers more of the text's history as well as the first three chapters.

The Way of the Bodhisattva Podcast Part 2/5: Generating Bodhicitta

The focus here are the chapters "Diligence" (or Heroic Perseverance), "Meditative Concentration," and the "Wisdom" chapter where he presents emptiness as understood in the Madhyamaka tradition.

The Way of the Bodhisattva Part 4/5:  Intensifying Bodhicitta

Meditation #3 - Foundational Shamantha

Meditation #2 - On-The-Spot Practice - Sun Meditation

Meditation #1 - Mindfulness Of The Body

In this session, teacher, author, and editor Judy Lief joins Wulstan in a discussion looking at the text and its application in the modern age where issues of gender, ethics, and other topics are the focus.

The Way of the Bodhisattva Workshop

The Way of the Bodhisattva Podcast Part 5/5: Shantideva Today

Instructions on how to maintain Bodhicitta and prevent it from degenerating once it arises, as outlined in the previous session.

The chapters in focus here are "Carefulness," "Vigilant Introspection," and "Patience."

The Way of the Bodhisattva Podcast Part 3/5: Maintaining Bodhicitta

LamRim Guided Meditations

F2. Seeing all Sentient Beings as Having Been Your Parents

Francesca Fremantle, who co-translated the Tibetan Book of the Dead with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche wrote Luminous Wisdom, one of the favorite books here at Shambhala Publications and the tens of thousands who read it.  

Here is a talk where she presents the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

Francesca Fremantle on the Tibetan Book of the Dead

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