Tao Te Ching

The Power of Goodness, the Wisdom Beyond Words
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Shantideva ཞི་བ་ལྷ།།།

(Bhusuku, Śāntideva)

685 – 763 CE

Son of a king, Indian scientist, Buddhist monk, "The Great Poet," and unliked Nalanda University scholar known for not studying, practicing meditation or showing up for events; Shantideva was challenged by the university to give a talk as proof that he really belonged there but really as way of getting rid of him. Shocking the scholars and monks who wanted to expel him, he gave a talk that became the famous Bodhicaryavatara, The Way of the Bodhisattva or Entering the Path of Enlightenment. Leaving the University and following Nagarjuna’s Madhyamaka philosophy, his teachings became a strong foundation for the Mahayana tradition. Mahasiddha #41

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Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

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Quotes by Shantideva (23 quotes)

“We hate suffering, but love it’s causes.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 2. The Wordless Teachings

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“When happiness is liked by me and others equally, what is so special about me that I should strive after happiness only for myself?”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 7. Lose Yourself, Gain Your Soul

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“All form, therefore, is like a dream… The body, in this way, has no existence; What, therefore, is male and what is female?”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 13. Honor and Disgrace

Themes: Dream

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“If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 16. Returning to the Root, Meditation

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“If there is a remedy, then what is the use of frustration? If there is no remedy, then what is the use of frustration?”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 27. No Trace

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“Where would I find enough leather to cover the entire surface of the earth? But with leather soles beneath my feet, it’s as if the whole world has been covered.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 29. Not Doing

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“All the suffering there is in this world arises from wishing our self to be happy. All the happiness there is in this world arises from wishing others to be happy.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 37. Nameless Simplicity

Themes: Karma

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“All the good works gathered in a thousand ages such as deeds of generosity and offerings to the Blissful One, a single flash of anger shatters them.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 37. Nameless Simplicity

Themes: Anger

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“When shall I reveal this truth of emptiness to those who go to ruin through a belief in real existence?”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 38. Fruit Over Flowers

Themes: Emptiness

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“For I am one who strives for freedom. I must not be caught by wealth and honors.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 44. Fame and Fortune

Themes: Wealth Freedom Fame

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“People scorn the poor who have no wealth. They also criticize the rich who have it. What pleasure can derive from keeping company with people such as these, so difficult to please?”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 46. Enough

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“What we see and what we touch is stuff of dreams and mirages.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 49. No Set Mind

Themes: Dream

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“Childish beings look out for themselves, Buddhas labor for the good of others.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Chapters: 75. Greed

Themes: Compassion

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“Although it has many parts like arms and legs, our bodies are one whole. In a similar way, all beings with their yearnings for happiness, their joys and sorrows are like one body, different but equal.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

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“Be a friend of the world.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

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“We hurt ourselves; our pain is self-inflicted! Why should others be the object of our anger?”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Themes: Anger Conflict

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“Those desiring to escape suffering hasten right toward it. With the very desire for happiness, out of delusion they destroy their own happiness as if it were an enemy.”

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“The irritations of amassing, protecting, and losing money easily become an endless anguish.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Themes: Money

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“Would a sick person be helped only by reading a medical book?”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

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“May I be the doctor and the medicine
And may I be the nurse
For all sick beings in the world
Until everyone is healed.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Themes: Medicine Health

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“We are like senseless children who shrink from suffering but love its causes.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

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“If such a thing as 'I' exists indeed.
Then terrors, granted, will torment it.
Buttt since no self or 'I' exists at all,
What is there left for fears to terrify?”

Themes: Egolessness Fear

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“I rejoice with delight at the good done by all beings.”

from Bodhisattva Way of Life, Bodhicaryavatara

Themes: Appreciation

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Quotes about Shantideva (0 quotes)

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