The Way of the Bodhisattva

Shambhala

By: Shantideva, The Padmakara Translation Group - translator, the Dalai Lama - foreword, Kunzang Pelden - commentary

Narrated by: Wulstan Fletcher

Length: 3 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 by the translators of the 1997 edition. Included are a foreword by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a new translator's preface, a thorough introduction, a note on the translation, and three appendices of commentary by the Nyingma master Kunzang Pelden.

Cover art: Guanyin of the Southern Sea, Chinese, Liao (907-1125) or Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), wood with polychrome, 95 by 65 inches, courtesy of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO. Purchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust, 34-10. Photo: Nelson-Atkins Media Services/Jamison Miller.

©2007 The Padmakara Translation Group (P)2018 Random House Audio

To hear again and again

I'm glad this finally made it to Audible. I have the same recording on CD, but it's better for me to listen to it on the Audible player on my smartphone. I've listened to it many, many times and will listen to it many times more. The text is worth memorizing.

The Dalai Lama has said that what he knows about Bodhicitta he learned from Shantideva. There couldn't be a higher recommendation.

I'm trying

I'm trying to appreciate this classic more, knowing so many have found inspiration. While I agree with most of the recommended behaviors, I am disappointed by so much emphasis on external motivation, i.e., over and over with how we should act thus to avoid torment in hell (I thought that was mostly a Christian hangup?).

To be honest, I find more inspiration in right action as its own reward. Also in what we are learning about humans as super cooperators, the power of reputation as the science behind karma, and in playing some small part in our growth as a species.

This was my second effort with Guide to the Bodhisattva; I may try again in a few years. At the moment I am finding Yuval Harari more inspiring than Shantideva.

(Narration was fine btw. My review is about my honest response to a Buddhist classic).

Narration doesn’t fit

Although the narrator has a lovely voice, it doesn’t fit the content. His voice sounds more suited to English literature rather than this scholarly text on Buddhism. It would be easier to follow if read slower in a lower pitch. The narration distracts from the content.

more Padmakara Translation Group books on Audible!

Probably one of the greatest books on Audible

More excellent translations of Buddhist classics like this please

"Words of My Perfect Teacher" would be my recommendation!!

I am grateful to be studying this

May you too find peace and wisdom in this great work. Nothing makes more sense during this great world lockdown of crimes against humanity. May we all be boddhisatvas.

Way of the Bodhi

This book really helped me to capture my first powerful glimpse of the way of the bodhisattva. I highly recommend it!

A Pleasant Dharma Deep Dive

I am a Buddha nerd so keep that in mind. I am fascinated by the theory of Buddhism and Eastern philosophy in general so... If that sounds like you then I highly recommend this well narrated journey through Buddhist principals. For sure I do not now "get it" from one listen but I do find the talks easy to follow and also food for the spirit so this will be something I hang on to and refer back to always.

The qualifying of the audio is not very good

great book. but the qualifying of the audio is not good. this was not recorder in a studio but in someone bedroom or studio. Other than that great listen!

El mejor libro en la historia de la humanidad

Una instrucción detallada para alcanzar el décimo Bumi del Bodhisattva 🙏🏽❤️🦚, aquel qué busca el despertar (iluminación) con el único motivo de ser de beneficio (servir) a todos los demás seres, a través de la Bodichita! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

classic.

A classic. one could study this text for a lifetime and not completely embody it. rich with depth and wisdom and compassion.

Wonderful beyond words

This book is just magnificent, wisdom and joy pouring out of every word, so recommended

No foreword or commentary

A somewhat abridged version of a wonderful translation of an essential text. However, this audiobook lacks both the foreword and commentary advertised on the front image as well as in the book details tab on the app. I bought this version specifically for the highly regarded commentary so I found its absence extremely disappointing.