Here is another excerpt from the first chapter of A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life called “The Benefits of the Awakening Mind.”  May these words written by Shantideva inspire all who encounter them.

 #26

How can I fathom the depths

Of the goodness of this jewel of the mind,

The panacea that relieves the world of pain

And is [...]]]>

Here is another excerpt from the first chapter of A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life called “The Benefits of the Awakening Mind.”  May these words written by Shantideva inspire all who encounter them.

A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life by Shantideva Chapter One:  Benefits of the Awakening Mind

#5

Just as a flash of lightning on a dark cloudy night

For an instant brightly illuminates all,

Likewise in this world, through the might of Buddha,

A wholesome thought rarely and briefly appears.

#25

Here is another excerpt from the first chapter of A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life called “The Benefits of the Awakening Mind.”  May these words written by Shantideva inspire all who encounter them.

#26

How can I fathom the depths

Of the goodness of this jewel of the mind,

The panacea that relieves the world of pain

And is [...]]]>

Here is another excerpt from the first chapter of A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life called “The Benefits of the Awakening Mind.”  May these words written by Shantideva inspire all who encounter them.

#26

How can I fathom the depths

Of the goodness of this jewel of the mind,

The panacea that relieves the world of pain

And is the source of all its joy?

#31

If whoever repays a kind deed

Is worthy of some praise,

Then what need to mention the Bodhisattvas

Who do good without it being asked of them?

#32

The world honors as virtuous

One who sometimes gives a little, plain food

Disrespectfully to a few beings,

Which satisfies them for only a half a day.

#33

What need be said then of one

Who eternally bestows the peerless bliss of the Sugatas

Upon limitless numbers of beings,

Thereby fulfilling all their hopes?

#34

The Buddha has said that whoever bears a harmful thought

Against a benefactor such as a Bodhisattva

Will remain in hell for as many aeons

As there were harmful thoughts.

#35

However, if a virtuous attitude should arise (in that regard),

Its fruits will multiply far more than that.

When Bodhisattvas greatly suffer they generate no negativity,

Instead their virtues naturally increase.

#36

I bow down to the body of those

In whom the sacred precious mind is born.

I seek refuge in that source of joy

Who brings happiness even to those who bring harm.

From the ” Path of the Bodhisattva A Collection of Thirty-Seven Practices”

Until the heart of enlightenment is realized, I take refuge in all the Buddhas.

Likewise, I take refuge in the dharma and the bodhisattvas and their assemblies.

Just as the sugatas of the past aroused the awakened mind of bodhicitta

and trained [...]]]>

From the ” Path of the Bodhisattva
A Collection of Thirty-Seven Practices”

Until the heart of enlightenment is realized,
I take refuge in all the Buddhas.

Likewise, I take refuge in the dharma
and the bodhisattvas and their assemblies.

Just as the sugatas of the past
aroused the awakened mind of bodhicitta

and trained in the way of the bodhisattvas
to gradually accomplish the stages of development,

similarly, for the benefit and purpose of beings,
by awakening bodhicitta and

training in the conduct of the bodhisattvas,
I shall gradually develop on the levels of training.

(repeat three times)

Today I have picked the fruit of this lifetime.
The meaning of this human existence is now realized.

Today I am born into the family of the Buddhas
and have become an heir of the enlightened ones!

Now, no matter what occurs hereafter,
my activities will be in conscientious accord with the family,

and I shall never engage in conduct that could
possibly sully this faultless family!

Like a blind man in a heap of refuse,
suddenly, by chance, finding a precious jewel,

similarly, this occasion is such that
today I have given rise to the awakened mind!

Today, before all of my objects of refuge,
the sugatas, as well as all beings,

I call to bear witness where the guests of this occasion –
the devas, the titans, and others — all join together to rejoice!

The precious bodhicitta,
if unborn, may it arise;

when generated, may it never diminish,
and may it always remain ever-increasing!

Never apart from bodhicitta,
engaged in the conduct of the awakened ones,

being held fast by all of the Buddhas,
may all demonic activities be fully abandoned!

May all the bodhisaattvas
accomplish the welfare of others, according to their wisdom mind’s intentions.

Whatever wisdom intention these protectors may have,
may it come to pass for all sentient beings.

May all sentient beings be endowed with bliss,
may all the lower realms be permanently emptied!

May all the bodhisattvas, on whatever bhumi they remain,
fully accomplish all of their aspirations!

From the Master Shantideva: For when with irreversible intent the mind embraces Bodhicitta with a willingness to set free the endless multitudes of beings, at that instant and from that moment onward, a great and unremitting stream, a strength of wholesome merit, even during sleep and inattention, rises equal to the vastness of the [...]]]>

From the Master Shantideva: For when with irreversible intent the mind embraces Bodhicitta with a willingness to set free the endless multitudes of beings, at that instant and from that moment onward, a great and unremitting stream, a strength of wholesome merit, even during sleep and inattention, rises equal to the vastness of the sky. For like the supreme substance of the alchemists, it takes the the impure form of human flesh and makes of it the priceless body of a Buddha. Such is Bodhicitta; we must firmly embrace it!

Acting only in their own self-interest, the shravakas and pratyekabuddhas exert themselves as though extinguishing fires in their own own heads. How much more then should the Bodhisattva undertake to practice diligence, the source of all qualities that serve to benefit others. This is the way of bodhisattva practice.