Bodhisattva Path Guides

Bodhisattva’s Jewel Garland: An Excerpt from Kadam, Part One

Bodhisattva’s Jewel Garland: An Excerpt from Kadam, Part One

Bodhisattva's Jewel Garland: A Root Text of Mahāyāna Instruction from the Precious Kadam Scripture Excerpted from Kadam: Stages of the Path, Mind Training, and Esoteric Practice, Part One By Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Taye Translated by Artemus B. Engle About Kadam The third volume of this series covers the teachings and practices of the Kadam lineage. This tradition [...]
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Atisha: A Guide for Readers

Atisha: A Guide for Readers

See More: See Also:  Profiles of early Indian Mahayana figures | Tibetan Masters of the 8th Century | Tibetan Masters of the 10th-11th Centuries Nagarjuna | Aryadeva | Asanga | Shantideva | Xuanzang | Lives of the Masters Series | Tsongkhapa The Life of Atiśa Dīpankara Śrījñāna (982–1054 CE) Atīśa Dīpaṃkara Śrījñāna, was an eleventh-century Indian [...]
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Transcendent Patience

Transcendent Patience

Shantideva on Steadfastness of Mind An excerpt from Entering the Way of the Bodhisattva. Transcendent Patience 1. One moment’s anger shatters all Good acts accumulated In a thousand aeons, such as giving Or offering to the buddhas. 2. There is no misdeed like hatred; No austerity like patience. So cultivate assiduously Patience in various ways. [...]
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A Reader’s Guide to Shantideva and the Way of the Bodhisattva

A Reader’s Guide to Shantideva and the Way of the Bodhisattva

Shantideva and The Way of the Bodhisattva Learn More A Reader's Guide to the Essential Work on the Bodhisattva Path A Reader's Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva See Also:  Profiles of early Indian Mahayana figures | Tibetan Masters of the 8th Century | Tibetan Masters of the 10th-11th Centuries Nagarjuna | Aryadeva | Asanga | Shantideva | Xuanzang | The Seventeen Pandits of Nalanda The great nineteenth-century [...]
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Precious Human Birth

Precious Human Birth

To Listen, Contemplate, and Meditate Is the Practice of a Bodhisattva Excerpt from A Guide to the Thirty-Seven Practices of a Bodhisattva Now we have this great vessel of freedoms and resources, so      difficult to obtain. So that we may liberate ourselves and others from the ocean      of samsara, Day and [...]
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Patrul Rinpoche: A Reader’s Guide

Patrul Rinpoche: A Reader’s Guide

Patrul Rinpoche See Our Reader's Guide Patrul Rinpoche (1808–1887) was one of the greatest Tibetan teachers of the nineteenth century. Famous for his precise and direct style, he shunned high monastic office and lived the life of a homeless wanderer, writing his book in a rustic hermitage under an overhanging rock. Praise to Patrul Rinpoche [...]
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The Six Paramitas: A Reader’s Guide

The Six Paramitas: A Reader’s Guide

The Six Paramitas Learn More The Six Paramitas, or "Perfections," are a fundamental set of teachings for Mahayahana Buddhism Statue of Bodhisattva Guan Yin (Avalokiteshvara) The six paramitas, or transcendent perfections, are an essential concept in the practice of Mahayana Buddhism. They are so fundamental in fact that the “Vehicle of the Perfections” is a [...]
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Free Downloads from The Core Teachings of the Dalai Lama Series

Free Downloads from The Core Teachings of the Dalai Lama Series

Sign up for a week of essential teachings from His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama ENTER YOUR EMAIL TO RECEIVE A WEEK OF DAILY READINGS FROM THE CORE TEACHINGS OF THE DALAI LAMA SERIES. From proper posture in sitting meditation to discussion of past lives to the importance of the Three Jewels, these readings cover [...]
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Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche & Pema Chödrön in Conversation | Free Video Offering

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche & Pema Chödrön in Conversation | Free Video Offering

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche and Pema Chödrön Discuss the Innate Tenderness of Our Hearts ENTER YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO ACCESS THE COMPLETE VIDEO INTERVIEW. In this interview, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche sits down with Pema Chödrön to discuss his book, Training in Tenderness, cultivating compassion, and the innate tenderness of our hearts known as tsewa. After entering [...]
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The Perfection of Patience

The Perfection of Patience

Practicing Patience During Times of Difficulty An Excerpt from The World Could Be Otherwise THE PERFECTION OF PATIENCE is kshanti paramita in Sanskrit. Kshanti can be translated as “patience,” “forbearance,” or “tolerance,” but these words don’t capture the fullness of what kshanti connotes because they all imply a kind of quietism or passivity. To be patient [...]
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First Session of Day One | An Excerpt from Perfecting Patience

First Session of Day One | An Excerpt from Perfecting Patience

On the Path of Self-Betterment Generally speaking, all the major religions of the world emphasize the importance of the practice of love, compassion, and tolerance. This is particularly the case in all the traditions of Buddhism, including the Theravada, Mahayana, and Tantrayana (the esoteric tradition of Buddhism). They all state that compassion and love are [...]
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Teaching the Dharma | An Excerpt from A Feast of the Nectar of the Supreme Vehicle

Teaching the Dharma | An Excerpt from A Feast of the Nectar of the Supreme Vehicle

Investigating the Dharma 1. Showing Why It Is Worth Teaching Others the Dharma Unstintingly When bodhisattvas thoroughly investigating the Dharma have received the teachings and gained unmistaken realization of them, they explain them unstintingly to sentient beings and thereby complete their own transcendent perfections and bring other sentient beings to maturity. There is no better [...]
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The Importance of the Ornament of Mahayana Sutras

The Importance of the Ornament of Mahayana Sutras

One of the Five Maitreya Treatises—the five texts imparted to Asanga by the bodhisattva Maitreya—the Ornament of the Mahayana Sutras (in Sankrit the Mahayanasutralamkara, often shortened to Sutralamkara) presents explanations of bodhisattva motivation, meditation, conduct, and fruition as expounded in the Mahayana sutras as well as demonstrating the superiority of the Mahayana.  In English, the [...]
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The Fruit of Tenderness | An Excerpt from Training in Tenderness

The Fruit of Tenderness | An Excerpt from Training in Tenderness

Benefiting Others When we carefully and diligently water our seed of tsewa, applying all the wisdom and skillful means we can gather, that seed will eventually grow into a magnificent tree bearing abundant fruit. This is the third metaphor in Chandrakirti’s homage to the tender heart. The fruit manifests as an ever-increasing desire and ability [...]
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Tsongkhapa: A Guide to His Life and Works

Tsongkhapa: A Guide to His Life and Works

Tsongkhapa Learn More A Reader's Guide to one of Tibet's most important figures Ganden Monastery, founded by Tsongkhapa Related Reader Guides: Profiles of early Indian Mahayana figures | Lives of the Masters Series | Atisha | Aryadeva The Kadam Tradition | The Gelug Tradition | Madhyamaka  Milarepa | His Holiness the Dalai Lama The Life of Tsongkhapa [...]
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A Lecture Series on Asanga’s Bodhisattvabhumi with Translator Artemus Engle

A Lecture Series on Asanga’s Bodhisattvabhumi with Translator Artemus Engle

In conjunction with the Tsadra Foundation, premier translator and scholar Artemus Engle brings Asanga's masterpiece, the Bodhisattvabhumi, to life, unlocking what can be an intimidating text and making its important and power to light. Part 1:   Part 2: The Bodhisattva Path to Unsurpassed Enlightenment$59.95 - HardcoverBy: Artemus B. Engle & Asanga Add to Cart See [...]
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Jamgön Kongtrul Reader’s Guide

Jamgön Kongtrul Reader’s Guide

Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Thaye A Guide for Readers Jamgön Kongtrul Lodrö Taye (1813–1900) was a versatile and prolific scholar and one of the most outstanding writers and teachers of his time in Tibet. He was a pivotal figure in eastern Tibet’s nonsectarian movement and made major contributions to education, politics, and medicine. Jump to: Books [...]
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The Thirteen Core Indian Buddhist Texts: A Reader’s Guide

The Thirteen Core Indian Buddhist Texts: A Reader’s Guide

Khenpo Shenga (1871–1927) There are thirteen classics of Indian Mahayana philosophy, still used in Tibetan centers of education throughout Asia and beyond, particularly the Nyngma tradition, with overlap with the others.  They cover the subjects of vinaya, abhidharma, Yogacara, Madhyamika, and the path of the Bodhisattva.  They are some of the most frequently quoted texts [...]
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Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche: A Reader’s Guide

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche: A Reader’s Guide

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche A Guide to His Works Learn More Denkok Valley, birthplace of Khyentse Rinpoche. Photo my M. Ricard. Explore Nyingma Lineages: Dudjom Tersar | Longchen Nyingtig | Namcho & Palyul Guides to Important Nyingma Figures: Rongzompa | Longchenpa | Jigme Lingpa | Patrul Rinpoche | Sera Khandro | Mipham Rinpoche | Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche [...]
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The Way of the Bodhisattva: An Immersive Workshop in Boulder May 18-22, 2016

The Way of the Bodhisattva: An Immersive Workshop in Boulder May 18-22, 2016

[Note, this event occurred in the past and the videos are all available on this site for free.] Few texts are more frequently taught and quoted, have as colorful a history, and as much relevance to Buddhists today more than the eighth-century Indian Buddhist monk Shantideva's The  Way of the Bodhisattva.  The Dalai Lama has said [...]
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The Story behind the Bodhicharyavatara

The Story behind the Bodhicharyavatara

by Nikko Odiseos   The text with the Sanskrit title Bodhicharyavatara (shortened from the longer Bodhisattvacharyavatara) - usually known in English as either The Way of the Bodhisattva or A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life - is by far the best-known work attributed to the eighth-century Indian monk Shantideva. It would be impossible [...]
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A Reader’s Guide on Tibetan Buddhist Essentials: An Exploration of the Nyingma Lineage with Tulku Thondup

A Reader’s Guide on Tibetan Buddhist Essentials: An Exploration of the Nyingma Lineage with Tulku Thondup

Tulku Thondup Rinpoche's Tibetan Buddhist Essentials A recommendation list for the essential teachings of the tradition. Tulku Thondup Rinpoche was born in East Tibet and was recognized to be a tulku at age five. He studied at Tibet’s famed Dodrupchen Monastery, settling in India in 1958, and teaching for many years in its universities. He [...]
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Way of the Bodhisattva Resource Page

A Resource Guide for The Way of the Bodhisattva* We are pleased to share the following resources for the Bodhicharyavatara, or The Way of the Bodhisattva. Readers Guide - A guide to the many translations, commentaries, and deep dives into specific chapters published by Shambhala Publications and others. A Brief History - A very brief history of this [...]
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A Brief History of the Way of the Bodhisattva

A Brief History of the Way of the Bodhisattva

The Story Behind the Bodhicharyavatara The text with the Sanskrit title Bodhicharyavatara (shortened from the longer Bodhisattvacharyavatara)—usually known in English as either The Way of the Bodhisattva or A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life—is by far the best-known work attributed to the eighth-century Indian monk Shantideva. It would be impossible to adequately summarize its importance and impact in [...]
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The Way of the Bodhisattva: An Immersive Workshop

The Way of the Bodhisattva Lecture Series Learn More Led by the Padmakara Translation Group's Wulstan Fletcher Few texts are more frequently taught and quoted, have as colorful a history, and as much relevance to Buddhists today more than the eighth-century Indian Buddhist monk Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva. The Dalai Lama has said that “if I [...]
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