The Bodhisattva Vow: A Practical Guide to Helping Others (Paperback)

by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (Author) "There now follows an explanation of the methods for receiving and maintaining the Bodhisattva vows, and for completing the vows and trainings of a Bodhisattva..." (more)
Key Phrases: secondary downfall, praising ourself, purifying downfalls, Joyful Path of Good Fortune, Spiritual Guide, Blessed Ones (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A perfect transmission of the ancient wisdom of Buddha to the modern world. -- East West Journal

Product Description
A Bodhisattva is a friend of the world who, motivated by compassion, spontaneously seeks enlightenment to benefit all living beings.

In this welcome guide to compassionate living, Geshe Kelsang explains in detail how to take and keep the Bodhisattva vows, and how to practice the Bodhisattva’s deeds of giving, moral discipline, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom. With this handbook as our companion, we can enter into the Bodhisattva's way of life and progress along the path to full enlightenment.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Tharpa Publications; 2nd edition (September 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0948006501
• ISBN-13: 978-0948006500
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #724,643 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clear and practical introduction to purification practice., October 1, 1998

By A Customer

The author presents in a traditional Tibetan Buddhist manner the Mahayana practice of confession to the 35 Confession Buddhas. He clear sets out the importance of purification and the steps that need to be taken for the individual to overcome delusions and to progress on the spiritual path to enlightenment.

The text then explains the ritual of confession and contains detailed descriptions of the Buddhas and instructions on how you or I should engage in this practice. The text is very clear and avoids the tendency of some writers to obscure the meaning by using technical jargon - Kelsang Gyatso has avoided this and should be thanked for his efforts.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb clarity and compact guide to Bodhisattva vows, October 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bodhisattva Vow (Audio Cassette)

This book is most helpful for those following or interested in the Bodhisattva way of life. It clearly lists all vows, and gives brief explanations on the meaning of each one, (It's size makes it reasonably portable, so is useful for those who have just recieved the vows and find them difficult to remember). It also contains a brief commentary on the practise of the six perfections. I have found this an indispensable guide to help me along the Bodhisattva path, and know of no other like it. I hope others will find it as useful as I do.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Meticulously deatiled as ever, January 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bodhisattva Vow (Audio Cassette)

The Geshe's style of elucidation is clear and step by step. This will be of more interest to the practitioner than the casual reader, or one interested in anecdotes and stories.