Questions on the Bodhicharyavatara: Difference between revisions

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*Give the five examples (or images) which describe the benefits of Bodhichitta.
*Give the five examples (or images) which describe the benefits of Bodhichitta.
*What do these examples mean?  
*What do these examples mean?  
*What is the limit to the merit of bodhichitta in aspiration?
*What is the limit to the merit of [[bodhichitta in aspiration]]?
*How are benefits of bodhichitta proven by scripture?
*How are benefits of bodhichitta proven by scripture?
*What is the reasoning which demonstrates the benefit of bodhichitta in aspiration?
*What is the reasoning which demonstrates the benefit of bodhichitta in aspiration?
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*What are the four main topics of chapter 2? And how do they support the generation of Bodhichitta?  
*What are the four main topics of chapter 2? And how do they support the generation of Bodhichitta?  
*Why is it important to make offerings in this context?
*Why is it important to make offerings in this context?
*To make the very best of offerings they should be made with the 3 purities. What are they?
*To make the very best of offerings they should be made with the three purities. What are they?
*How is it possible for us to offer things that we do not own?
*How is it possible for us to offer things that we do not own?
*What are the different types of offering made by Shantideva?
*What are the different types of offering made by Shantideva?

Revision as of 13:13, 25 May 2007

Study Questions on the Bodhicharyavatara - Here you can test your knowledge of Shantideva's classic text, the Bodhicharyavatara.

General/Introduction

  • What does the title Bodhicharyavatara mean?
  • The first three verses of the text contain four important points. What are they?
  • Give the outline of the main body of the text according to the four-line bodhichitta prayer.
  • How do the ten chapters of the text relate to the six paramitas?

Chapter 1

  • Give the general structure for the first chapter.
  • What is the purpose of this chapter?
  • Why is Bodhichitta superior to all other virtues?
  • What happens to our identity when we give rise to Bodhichitta?
  • Give the five examples (or images) which describe the benefits of Bodhichitta.
  • What do these examples mean?
  • What is the limit to the merit of bodhichitta in aspiration?
  • How are benefits of bodhichitta proven by scripture?
  • What is the reasoning which demonstrates the benefit of bodhichitta in aspiration?
  • Why is a person who practises bodhichitta great?
  • How can it be that to harm a bodhisattva leads to rebirth in hell yet any connection with a bodhisattva is beneficial?
  • What is the point of reflecting on the benefits of bodhichitta?

Chapter 2

  • What are the four main topics of chapter 2? And how do they support the generation of Bodhichitta?
  • Why is it important to make offerings in this context?
  • To make the very best of offerings they should be made with the three purities. What are they?
  • How is it possible for us to offer things that we do not own?
  • What are the different types of offering made by Shantideva?
  • Why does refuge come at this point in the text?
  • What are the four powers of confession in the order presented in this text?
  • Why is it necessary to confess our faults swiftly?

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10