Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: A Buddhist Poem for Today [Paperback]

Shantideva (Author), Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (Translator), Neil Elliott (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

This famous and universally loved poem for daily living has inspired many generations of Buddhists and non-Buddhists since it was first composed in the 8th century by the famous Indian Buddhist master Shantideva.
This new translation, made under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, conveys the great lucidity and poetic beauty of the original, while preserving its full impact and spiritual insight.
Reading these verses slowly, while contemplating their meaning, has a profoundly liberating effect on the mind. The poem invokes special positive states of mind, moves us from suffering and conflict to happiness and peace, and gradually introduces us to the entire Mahayana Buddhist path to enlightenment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An excellent introduction to the Mahayana tradition, or be studied in depth with a commentary such as Meaningful to Behold -- Altar Magazine

About the Author

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso was ordained as a Buddhist monk in Tibet at the age of eight.
He is a fully accomplished meditation master, prolific author, and international teacher
who has lived in the West since 1977 and has founded over 1,100 Kadampa Buddhist
meditation centers and groups around the world. His 21 acclaimed books reveal the
entire Buddhist path to enlightenment, including Buddha’s Sutra and Tantra teachings.

Product Details

• Paperback: 239 pages
• Publisher: Tharpa Publications (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0948006889
• ISBN-13: 978-0948006883
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #550,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso was ordained as a Buddhist monk in Tibet at the age of eight. He is a fully accomplished meditation master, prolific author, and international teacher who has lived in the West since 1977 and has founded over 1,200 Kadampa Buddhist meditation centers and branches around the world. His 20 acclaimed books reveal the entire Buddhist path to enlightenment, including Buddha's Sutra and Tantra teachings.

For more information on his books, audio, artwork, meditation supplies, and cards visit www.tharpa.com/us

For more information on his meditation centers across the US and around the world visit www.kadampa.org

For books in Spanish see www.amazon.com/author/gueshe_kelsang_gyatso

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Work, but still Challenging for a Newcomer, February 11, 2006

By 

D. Buxman "A Seeker of Truth" (Pueblo, CO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: A Buddhist Poem for Today (Paperback)

This is a terrific translation of Shantideva's classic poem, but, as a relative newcomer to Buddhist thought, I found it to be quite challenging. It is a text to be studied and savored. Despite its relatively short length, it still took me a couple of weeks to finish since I was constantly taking breaks to digest and interpret what was being said.
I also must admit that, coming from a somewhat materialistic, Western background, it takes a shift in mental gears to focus on the needs of others as a means of gaining happiness.
I'd also like to mention that this book is of a very high quality on the physical plane. The print is elegant. The texture of the paper is pleasing and the artwork is exceptional.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Presents the classic 8th century poem by Shantideva, February 13, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: A Buddhist Poem for Today (Paperback)

Guide To The Bodhisattva's Way Of Life: A Buddhist Poem For Today presents the classic 8th century poem by Shantideva in a thoroughly reader accessible and elegantly translated English text which was transcribed under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The poem itself offers wisdom in the art of balancing altruism with personal happiness and self-satisfaction. Shantideva's Guide To The Bodhisattva's Way Of Life is a core recommendation for dedicated Buddhist Studies collections and reading lists.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE SUPREME PRACTICAL GUIDE ON HOW TO ENTER, MAKE PROGRESS ON, AND COMPLETE THE BUDDHIST PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT., September 22, 2006

By 

Rebecca A. Gauther (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: A Buddhist Poem for Today (Paperback)

Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's new translation of the famous and universally loved poem Guide to the Bodhisattva's way of life by Shantideva (8th century), is a condensation of all Buddha's teachings and how they can be integrated into our daily life.

It is a beautiful, lyrical poem that contains all the essential elements to complete the path to enlightenment: instructions on the benefits of bodhichitta, how to purify negative states of mind and cultivate positive states of mind, how to be conscientious when engaging in any type of mental, physical, or verbal action, how to reduce disturbing thoughts and distractions that can cause the mind to become unpeaceful and uncontrolled, how to practice patience effectively, how to train in effort while exercising our spiritual path, how to develop and improve our concentration so we can meditate powerfully on profound subjects such as emptiness, the ultimate nature of reality, and finally this precious poem contains a beautiful dedication for all those who are suffering from fear, frustration, illness, poverty, war, and famine, that they may swiftly be freed from their unfortuanate conditions, and maintain a happy and peaceful mind.

I recommend this beautiful poem to those interested in pursuing a happy, peaceful life filled with meaning. I recommend reading the verses slowly whilst contemplating their profound meaning. The words are precious and blessed and you can actually experience improvement in the mind just by reading it! There is a lot contained in the verses so I recommend taking time to enjoy them!