Revolutionary Spirituality In Your Hands
This has to be, by far, one of the greatest treatises of spiritual instruction ever composed. Although some traditionalists might isolate it as a phenomena of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy, it is as universal and applicable to this Western age as it was centuries ago. Due to the ever-increasing prevalence of moral bankruptcy in our world today, wars, famine and widespread cruelty, the need for lasting, genuine ethics has never been more urgent. The Way of the Bodhisattva stands out as a call for action on an intimate and personal level, so as to procure the benefit of all sentient beings, regardless of discrimination, gender or culture. This scripture is the height of expression for Madhyamaka Buddhist philosophy, renown for its subtle dialectics on compassionate ethics and the nature of emptiness (Sunyata), expressed in the cultivation of Bodhichitta ("the awakened mind"). One does not even have to be a Buddhist to benefit from this text. I am a Gnostic Christian and have studied numerous scriptures in conjunction with my own tradition, and I have been able to benefit tremendously from the awe-inspiring logic of this work. Shantideva takes many of the egotistical assumptions we all have (and this takes sincerity to admit while reading such a text) and shows the futility and destructiveness of such habits. This text proposes with great elegance that there is a better alternative to anger, lust and pride, based upon a re-orientation of perspective, or a mind that works for the benefit of others (compassionate love which is based upon an understanding of the impermanence of phenomena: Bodhichitta). This encompasses all human beings, since all persons seek to avoid suffering and acquire happiness. This really has to be one of the most genuine self-help books on the market, spiritual or otherwise. Whereas many self-help books have appeared and sustained in popularity for a decade, The Way of the Bodhisattva has been used amongst Mahayana Buddhists and other spiritual practitioners for centuries with concrete results. The 14th Dalai Lama stated that if he possessed any understanding of compassion, it is solely on the basis of this work, astounding for a man who has been exiled from his own country by foreign invaders, who have committed unspeakable genocides against his people. If you are looking for a way to develop genuine concern for others that is lasting and profound, this is an essential book. It is not necessary to be religious, for one can yet be spiritual (which I believe in these times has a different connotation) and apply these techniques for a better life. I also recommend, in conjunction with this Buddhist text, "The Revolution of the Dialectic" by Samael Aun Weor, since it serves as a good companion to many of these psychological and meditative techniques from the Madhyamaka school, being in itself a dissertation on these subtle spiritual dialectics, including Mahayana Buddhist thought. The Shambala Library publishes very fine hard cover editions of spiritual works, including The Rumi Collection and The Bhagavad-Gita. The printing and paper is very nice, with strong binding that will last a long time; very suitable for an altar or place of dedication (even if it is just a bedside table).
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Overview
Treasured by Buddhists of all traditions, The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicharyavatara) is a guide to cultivating the mind of enlightenment, and to generating the qualities of love, compassion, generosity, and patience. This text has been studied, practiced, and expounded upon in an unbroken tradition for centuries, first in India, and later in Tibet. Presented in the form of a personal meditation in verse, it outlines the path of the Bodhisattvas—those who renounce the peace of individual enlightenment and vow to work for the liberation of all beings and to attain buddhahood for their sake.
This version, translated from the Tibetan, is a revision...