Way of the Bodhisattva Guides

Indian Mahayana Masters of the 2nd-8th Centuries

Indian Mahayana Masters of the 2nd-8th Centuries

The Indian Masters Learn More Reader Guides to the Indian masters especially Important to Tibetan Buddhism See Also:  Profiles of early Indian Mahayana figures | Tibetan Masters of the 8th Century | Tibetan Masters of the 10th-11th Centuries Indian Mahayana Masters from the 2nd-8th Centuries The Tibetan traditions all look back to India as the [...]
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A Reader’s Guide to Madhyamaka

A Reader’s Guide to Madhyamaka

A Reader's Guide to Madhyamaka A Reader's Guide to Madhyamaka (The Middle Way) Madhyamaka (Sanskrit) or Uma (Tibetan) is a system of Buddhist thought first articulated by the 2nd century Indian Buddhist master Nāgārjuna and elucidated further by subsequent Indian and Tibetan masters such as Chandrakirti, Shantideva, Aryadeva, Longchenpa, and Tsongkhapa, to name a few. The premise [...]
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Tulku Thondup: A Guide For Readers

Tulku Thondup: A Guide For Readers

Some Nyingma Lineages: Dudjom Tersar | Longchen Nyingtig | Namcho & Palyul Other Contemporary Nyingma Figures: Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche | Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse | Thinley Norbu | Phakchok Rinpoche | Khandro Rinpoche Tulku Thondup: A Guide to His Works Read our remembrance to Tulku Thondup Rinpoche who passed away on December 29, 2023. Tulku Thondup Rinpoche [...]
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Tibetan Buddhist Books in 2021: A Review

Tibetan Buddhist Books in 2021: A Review

Tibetan Buddhism in 2021 Read More We published many books of interest from the Vajrayana traditions of Tibet, Bhutan, and the Indian Himalayas See our other Year in Review Guides: Theravada/Pali/Insight | Chan, Zen, Mahayana | Tibetan Buddhism Receive a 30% discount on these titles through January 2nd using code 2021YE at checkout We are [...]
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Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche: A Guide for Readers

Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche: A Guide for Readers

About Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche Dzigar Kongtrul was born in the Northern Indian province of Himachal to his parents Neten Chokling Rinpoche and Mayum Tsewang Palden. During his monastic education, he was trained in the Nyingma school's Longchen Nyingtik lineage under his root guru, the renowned Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. Additionally, he studied extensively under Tulku Urgyen [...]
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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 Teachers of Pema Chodron: A Reader’s Guide

The Teachers of Pema Chodron: A Reader’s Guide

Pema Chödrön refers to many of her teachers and friends in her latest book Welcoming the Unwelcome. For fans of Ani Pema who might be less familiar with some of these figures but want to hear more from her main inspirations, teachers, and role models, this is for you! For those who listened to the [...]
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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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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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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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Wisdom | An Excerpt from The Bodhisattva Guide

Wisdom | An Excerpt from The Bodhisattva Guide

A Commentary on The Way of the Bodhisattva by H. H. the Fourteenth Dalai Lama Many Kinds of Wisdom   1. All these branches of the Doctrine The Enlightened Sage expounded for the sake of wisdom. Therefore they must cultivate this wisdom Who wish to have an end of suffering.   There are many kinds [...]
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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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Kawa Peltsek – The Fully Accomplished Translator of Shantideva

Kawa Peltsek – The Fully Accomplished Translator of Shantideva

Kawa Peltsek Learn More A Reader's Guide to one of Guru Rinpoche's 25 disciples See Also:  Profiles of early Indian Mahayana figures | Tibetan Masters of the 8th Century | Tibetan Masters of the 10th-11th Centuries Guru Rinpoche | Yeshe Tsogyal | Mandarava| Kawa Peltsek | More of Guru Rinpoche's 25 Disciples Kawa Peltsek was [...]
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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 Seventeen Panditas of Indian Buddhism

The Seventeen Panditas of Indian Buddhism

Image from http://www.rigpashedra.org/   His Holiness the Dalai Lama has often said that Tibetan Buddhism is none other than the Buddhism of India in the tradition of Nalanda, the great center of Buddhist learning that was located in present-day Bihar, India. Many of the greatest masters and scholars in Indian Buddhism resided-and often presided-at this [...]
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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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Lojong / Mind Training Reader’s Guide

Lojong / Mind Training Reader’s Guide

Lojong: Training the Mind Learn More Lojong, or mind training, is a core practice in all the lineages of the Tibetan tradition. Lojong, or mind training, is a core practice in all the lineages of the Tibetan tradition. They can perhaps best be characterized as a method for transforming our mind by turning away from [...]
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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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Translating the Way of the Bodhisattva

Translating the Way of the Bodhisattva

This talk with Wulstan Fletcher of the Padmakara Translation Group, facilitated by CU Professor Holly Gayley, will be of great interest not just for translators—for whom it will be invaluable—fbut for any practitioners or scholars interested in the transmission of Buddhism in the west. The talk focuses on the translation of the text itself and [...]
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