Customer Reviews

The Way of the Bodhisattva (Book and Audio-CD Set)

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The ultimate review of this book is on the cover: a quote from H. H. the Dalai Lama - "If I have any understanding of compassion and the practice of the bodhisattva path, it is entirely on the basis of this text that I possess it."

This review, therefore, addresses why this new translation is so valuable.

Part of the answer is the poetic quality of the translation. A useful translation renders the meaning of a linguistic work of art into another language. This translation is a re-creation of poetry in the fullest sense. The majesty of the verse appears to be an example of a well-crafted original in English.

The work would be evocative even without footnotes to give context and perspective.

A sensitive awareness to contextual meaning, however, is the other great strength of this translation. In an extensive and clearly reasoned introduction, the translator (Wulstan Fletcher) discusses the rationale for a process that relied primarily on translation from the Tibetan version of this book, despite the existence the original Sanskrit by Shatideva. Why a translation of a translation, when the original is extant? The translator's answer is the invaluable contextual insight of the unbroken oral tradition of this work within Tibet. And, he has retained the option to consult the Sanskrit original for patterns of style and to resolve any ambiguity in the Tibetan version.

The biography of Shantideva as an appendix also helps to enrich the understanding of this work in our "modern" age. In a time of frantic life-styles and limited attention to compassion as a core value, a poetic reminder of an attitude of service can enrich our lives. This translation of The Way of the Bodhisattva is an evocative path to such an understanding: our true value as ethically motivated interdependent human beings.

Shantideva provides here the perfect foundation for all Bodhisattvas in training..any individual who wants to integrate spirtual wisdom into all aspects of life.

This text is the kind of inspired writing that one benefits in reading and re-reading over the course of one's life in order to glean more insight into the means by which one may live according to the Way of the Dharma and attain liberation for the benefit of others.

I have been to teachings led by HH Dalai Lama and two of the chapters in this book were used as a means to receive formal Buddhist initiation.
In addition, His Holiness reads from this text daily and considers His
"Mission Statement" to be this verse from Shantideva's text: "For as long as space endures and for as long as living beings remain, until then may I too abide to dispel the misery of the world."

Truly powerful in its simplicity. This text is a must for anyone who truly aspires to be a practicing Buddhist or for any spiritual warrior from any tradition.

In addition to the translated text of Shantideva's brilliant 10 chapter treatise on the what, why and how to live the life of a Bodhisattva, the 28-page introduction is one of the most concise and engaging explanations of what the practice and study of Buddhism entails--with all it's challenges and rewards--using the teaching we are about to read as its reference point.

This text has many versions of translations, and I found this one by the Padmakara Translation Group to be very good at keeping the meter of Shantideva's beautiful poetic delivery--reportedly given spontaneously in one teaching session--without losing the profound meaning of his message.

For those looking for something written in the style of the Book of Psalms, but with a purely Buddhist point of view, this is it.

Having never read the Bodhicharyavatara before, I cannot be a good judge of the accuracy of this translation. However, I have found it the most beautiful and inspiring Buddhist text I've read to date. Buddhist or not, this book could transform your way of thinking and being for the better.

There are now many translations of Shantideva's classic, which some consider the "bible" of buddhism for its chapters on compassion for fellow human beings. This version happens to include two very important appendices that expand on the practices, "equalizing self and other," and "exchanging self and other."

I find these two practices very useful for me as a massage therapist and educator. In therapy professions and teaching professions, often a power differential is present, where the client or patient feels he or she is at the mercy of the authority figure, the therapist or teacher. On the other hand, massage therapists are often at the underside of the power differential, especially if they work at destination resorts or other employee situations where "the guest is always right." I see in the last ten years a trend both in customer service theory, and therapeutic relationship theory, toward more equal realtionships.

Even if you are not in a helping profession, every person feels "greater than" or "lesser than" some people in his or her life. These exercises balance self esteem that is either too high, or too low.

"Equalizing" and "Exchanging" are cures for differences in power!

Challenging, inspiring, and exquisitely beautiful on many levels. The Way of the Bodhisattva is one of the most excellent guides for shifting perception and relaxing into a new life. I find myself recommending it to many friends, listening to my recorded version more often than the radio, and reaching for my print copy daily.

This is a labor of love and a work of art that can transform lives.

The Dalai Lama: "If I have any understanding of compassion and the practice of the bodhisattva path, it is entirely on the basis of this text that I possess it." The 8.129 stanza summarizes the Bodhisattva practice: "All the joy the world contains / Has come through wishing happiness for others. / All the misery the world contains / Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself."

"The first three chapters (The Excellence of Bodhichitta, Confession, and Taking Hold of Bodhichitta) are designed to stimulate the dawning of bodhichitta in the mind. The following three chapters (Carefulness, Vigilant Introspection, and Patience) give instructions on how to prevent the precious attitude from being dissipated, while the seventh, eight and ninth chapters (Diligence, Meditative Concentration, and Wisdom) prescribe ways in which bodhichitta may be progressively intensified. The tenth chapter is a concluding prayer of dedication."

My favourite stanzas are: 2.40: "There I'll be, prostrate on my bed / And all around, my family and friends. / But I alone shall be the one to feel / The cutting of the thread of life." 5.13: "To cover all the earth with sheets of leather - / Where could such amounts of skin be found? / But with leather soles of just my shoes / It is as though I cover all the earth!" 6.52: "Because the mind is bodiless / It cannot be destroyed by anyone. / Because of mind's attachment to the body, / This body is oppressed by pain." 8.90: "Strive at first to meditate / Upon the sameness of yourself and others. / In joy and sorrow all are equal; / Thus be guardian of all, as of yourself."

In addition to the Shantideva's 10 chapters on the Way of the Bodhisattva, there is a 24-page introduction with a concise and engaging explanation of what the practice and study of Buddhism entails, and three appendices by Kunzang Pelden - a 7-page biography of Shantideva, and special commentary on chapters 8 called Equalizing Self and Other from the Nectar of Manjushri's Speech and Exchanging Self and Other.

I enjoyed reading and thinking about this Buddhist classic. This translation reads almost like poetry. I also read No Time to Lose: A Timely Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva by Pema Chodron, but prefer reading the text straight through without so much comment and explanation, and The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech by Kunzang Pelden and Padmakara Translation Group, but thought it was far too esoteric and complex.

I got this for Christmas from my mother-in-law. I dutifully (I thought) read it, and am on my second go-'round now. Penetrating, glorious, full of humor and kindness. Very poetic, but at the same time, personal.

This book is wonderful. Shantideva, in earnestly searching for an awakened state of being shares his very human struggles he encounters on the Bodhisattva path. We share the same internal questioning with him and can be inspired by his determination. This treatise can be helpful to newer and more seasoned practitioners of all schools of Buddhism.

This is an excellent translation of a classic Buddhist text on the 6 Paramitas by a brilliant 8th c. Buddhist scholar, Shantideva. The instructions in these teachings will appeal to those who are serious about living committed, active lives for the betterment of others, rather than selfish gain. If you want to make a difference in the world, to make your life account for something, and to be free of the ego-traps that can await one on this path, this is an excellent text that will take you beyond the Noble 8-Fold Path. The teachings are universal to human psychology, and are based on the brilliant teachings of Siddartha Gautama, the Buddha. However, Shantideva was able to organise these teachings in a clear sequence with logical arguments. This English translation is one of the best. Highly recommended. I just wish it was available on Kindle so I could take it with me everywhere!