Customer Reviews

The Bodhicary=avat=ara (Oxford World's Classics)

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The translators have captured the poetry of the original, without losing the meaning. This text has all the beauty and power of the Matics translation, but encompasses the logic and clarity of Bachelor's. The text itself is the sublime essence of the Dharma and simply by reading it carefully one can be transformed and transported to higher states of consciousness. The translators provide a host of helpful and informative notes to the text. These are essential to the modern reader because they elucidate the context within which the 8th century text was delivered - which was in the thriving Buddhist milieu of the great monastic university of Nalanda at it's height. One of the most important books ever written in the east or west.

On one hand the notes and comments are very useful for novice readers lacking the historical context as well as the cultural aspects of the writing of the Bodhicaryavatara. On the other hand, placing comments before each chapter makes the book more analytical, and this impacts on the depth and beauty of the verses of the Bodhicaryavatara itself. It is probably a good idea to read it once for understanding the why's and who's and then go back through it without reading the comments at all.

Since it has been written after or partly at the same time as the Siksa Samuccaya, interested readers should also get the Siksa Samuccaya and read both books. It is also probably easier to first read this book and only after having been taught the context of the "story" go to the Siksa Samuccaya which is difficult to understand without a consequent knowledge of the Buddhist culture.

Anyway, this is a high quality translation as well as a very good commented version of the Bodhicaryavatara. Recommended for all types of readers, novice as well as more advanced in the Buddhist thought.

If you really want to understand the Bodhicaryavatara this is one of the best books you can get.

I first saw a copy of the original 1995 paperback version (with extremely small type) of this translation of Santideva's Bodhicaryavatara and, after skimming through it, decided to order it. When my order arrived, I was immensely surprised to see that it was a well-designed hardback. Having compared the several available translations of this text by other authors, I feel confident in recommending this translation for several reasons. For the beginner interested in Buddhism, Santideva's guide to the Bodhisattva's Path is a wonderful introduction to the basic concerns of Buddhism. The translators (Crosby/Skilton) have done an exceptional job of presenting Santideva's thought in accessible terms easily understood. The General Introduction (Williams) and the delightful chapter summaries help to contextualize what Santideva is saying. The reader's need to be included in the communicative process is always thoughtfully addressed. One experiences this text as a dialogue and not a monologue. For the experienced Buddhist practitioner, the detailed explanations and copious notes provide rich insights into Santideva's Madhyamaka School of the Mahayana branch of Buddhism. Finally, in reading this version of an ancient Indian Buddhist text, there is the obvious sense of a dedicated familiarity by the translators regarding their subject. This translation is both entertaining and informative regardless of one's level of knowledge of Buddhism.

I'm at a loss to understand why anyone would recommend this translation of the Bodhicharyavatara, versus any of the other choices available on the market. It completely lacks the poetic quality of the Padmakara translation, and the straightforwardness of the Batchelor translation. I don't even understand why academics would want it--the notes are self-obvious.

The most readable translation I've come across is the Padmakara translation, published by Shambhala, and it includes a good introduction and substantial notes.

While I have read quite a bit of spiritual books, the concept of a Bohdisattva was of particular interest to me. I purchased this book along with the Vesna & B. Alan Wallace version. I started with the Wallace one but was a bit put off with the way the poem was presented. It was a bit too conversational and not too poetic in the language used (but well done none the less). SO, I put that down and gave this one a try and was pleased with the depth of preface given to the poem. It not only tells you a bit about the author, but more importantly it points out other translations that exist and their differences and contradictions in structure.

Another helpful feature for those interested in more than just saying that you have read the Bodhicaryavatara is the section explaining the pronunciations of the special letters used throughout the book. This gave the reader more than just words, it actually helps one to better understand and pronounce the original Sanskrit words.

Like any great book, you can't just read it once! When I reached the end of the poem I found the extensive notes that go with each chapter. Although the introduction clearly explains that these notes are there, I was too eager to get on with the show to research it first. Now, I am re-reading the book, or better said, studying the poem with the intention to better understand the Bodhicaryavatara.

I recommend this book for anyone who is truly interested in having an in-depth understanding of this part of Mahayana Buddhist poetry. The practice of compassion in todays world is quite challenging, this book lets the reader know that it was just as challenging 13 centuries ago.

This book is about the Buddhist path to enlightenment, but contains many things applicable to improving anyone's life. It deals a lot with human suffering, and the need for people to help remove the suffering of others, as through this one's own life may be improved.
Although it is presented from a Buddhist perspective, much of the teaching is a good guide to self development, the principles that it teaches are hard to fault, and it remains centered on these things throughout the book.
The commentary deals with the Buddhist philosphies that Santideva uses, and explains the Buddhist principles involved, rather than explaining the teachings.

It gets pretty involved, but you can take quite a lot out of it.

"When the mental attitude of anger is slain, then slain is every enemy"......

Growing up in the West, I'd been exposed to Buddhism, more or less, through images of monks meditating and statues of Buddha, but I knew almost nothing about Buddhist beliefs. I admit that I was put off by the focus on suffering in the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, but I'm beginning to discover that 'Desire leads to suffering' is not that same as 'don't want anything'.

I think the chapters on the Perfection of Vigour and the Perfection of Forbearance are fantastic, and the final prayer in chapter 10 holds a benevolent subtext which I hope can exist in life. The chapter on the Perfection of Understanding is difficult, and was completely unexpected since it read more like a philosophy text than a religious one.

That sense of benevolence is present in most of the book, and most of this book's appeal is that it feels less like admonishment for doing wrong which I find in most Western religious texts than advice on how to improve with explanations of how those improvements will benefit the world and yourself. Whether that's true in Buddhist practice, I can't say. My own experience with Western religions tells me that there can be quite a difference between the stated beliefs and actual practice.

I notice that many of the other reviews focus on the translation which makes me feel like I'm way behind the curve since this is my first read of this book in any translation. Whether the translation is accurate or not is beyond me. I thought the text was clear, and there's a passion in the writing which was present in almost every word.

Clarification: the book is not as bad as it can be, neither is it as good as there can possibly be. It just is. It is truth/Truth. It has helped many find the path, it can help everyone and anyone if it is read conscientously. Let us put an end to suffering not for our own pityful selves, but for the sake of every other embodied being. Peace.