Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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!

More poetic version done well. Made from superb quality materials.