Bodhicharyavatara

Shantideva, author of the Bodhicharyavatara

Bodhicharyavatara or Bodhisattvacharyavatara (Tib. chöjuk; wyl. spyod 'jug) Introduction to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life - Shantideva's classic guide to the mahayana path.

Outline

The text has ten chapters:

1. The Excellence of Bodhichitta
   
2. Confession
   
3. Commitment/Full Acceptance
   
4. Carefulness/Conscientiousness
   
5. Vigilance/Awareness
   
6. Patience
   
7. Diligence
   
8. Meditation
   
9. Wisdom
   
10. Dedication

Structure

Patrul Rinpoche explained the text in relation to the famous prayer:

O precious, sublime bodhicitta:

May it arise in those in whom it has not arisen;

May it never decline where it has arisen;

May it go on increasing, further and further!

• Chapters 1, 2 and 3 are designed to stimulate the dawning of bodhichitta in the mind.
• Chapter 4, 5 and 6 give instructions on how to prevent bodhichitta from being dissipated.
• Chapters 7, 8 and 9 give the means by which bodhichitta may be made to increase further and further.
• And the 10th chapter is a concluding prayer of dedication.

Rongtön Sheja Kunrig says:

In the beginning, the foundation is laid through the generation of the two kinds of bodhichitta. Then the text explains the six paramitas or transcendent perfections, which constitute the training in the bodhichitta in action. Finally, any merit that has been gained is dedicated towards enlightenment, as presented in the tenth chapter.

The Tibetan Translation

The Bodhicharyavatara was first translated by Kawa Paltsek and Sarvajñadeva in the early ninth century. This translation was then revised twice, first by Rinchen Zangpo, Shakya Lodro and Dharmashribhadra in the tenth century, and then by Ngok Loden Sherab and Sumatikirti in the eleventh century.

Translations in European Languages

English

• The Way of the Bodhisattva: A Translation of the Bodhicharyavatara, translated by the Padmakara Translation Group, Shambhala Publications, 2003, ISBN: 1590300572
  
• A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life, translated by Vesna and Alan Wallace, Snow Lion Publications, 1997, ISBN: 1559390611
  
• A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, translated by Stephen Batchelor, LTWA, ISBN: 8185102597
  

French

• La Marche vers l’Éveil, translated by the Padmakara translation group using L. Finot's translation as a basis, Éditions Padmakara, 1992, ISBN : 2-906949-03-5
  

• Vivre en héros pour l'Éveil ; Bodhisattvacharyavatara, translated by G. Driessens, Édition Le Seuil—Points Sagesses 1993, ISBN : 2020196638

• La Marche à la Lumière. Poème sanscrit de Çantideva, translated by L. Finot, Ed. Brossard, 1920, re-edited by Les Deux Océans, 1987

• Bodhicaryâvatâra : Introduction à la pratique des futurs Buddhas, translated by L. de La Vallée Poussin, Louvain, 1907

German

• Shantideva, Anleitungen auf dem Weg zur Glückseligkeit / Bodhicaryavatara, O.W. Barth Verlag 2005.
• Shantideva, Die Lebensführung im Geiste der Erleuchtung / Das Bodhicaryavatara, Theseus 2004.
• Ernst Steinkellner: Eintritt in das Leben zur Erleuchtung, München: Eugen Diederichs Verlag 1981

Important Tibetan Commentaries

Many great masters and scholars of Tibet wrote commentaries on the Bodhicharyavatara, and many of these commentaries were and still are used in monastic universities in Tibet, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, and Ladakh.

A selection of some of the more famous commentators follows:

• Sönam Tsemo (1142-1182)
• Lhopa Kunkhyen Rinchen Pal
• Ngülchu Thogme Zangpo (1295-1369)
• Butön Rinchen Drup (1290-1364)
• Lama Dampa Sönam Gyaltsen Pal Zangpo (1312-1375)
• Sazang Mati Penchen Jamyang Lodro (1294-1376)
• Tsongkhapa Lobzang Drakpa (1357-1419)
• Gyaltsab Darma Rinchen (1364-1432)
• Pawo Tsuglak Trengwa (1504-1566)
• Drukpa Pema Karpo (1527-1592)
• Mipham Rinpoche (1846-1912)
• Khenpo Shenga (1871-1927)
• Thubten Chökyi Drakpa (1823-1905)
• Khenpo Kunpal (1862-1943)
• Shechen Gyaltsap Gyurme Pema Namgyal (1871-1926)
• Lodrö Gyaltsen

English Translations of Tibetan Commentaries

• Wisdom: Two Buddhist Commentaries, Khenchen Kunzang Palden and Minyak Kunzang Sönam, translated by Padmakara Translation Group, 1993, 2nd edition 1999

• Drops of Nectar: Khenpo Kunpal’s Commentary on Shantideva’s Entering the Conduct of the Bodhisattvas, translated by Andreas Kretschmar, http://www.kunpal.com/ (chapters 1-5 only)

• The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech: A Detailed Commentary on Shantideva's Way of the Bodhisattva, by Kunzang Pelden, translated by Padmakara Translation Group, Shambhala Publications, November 2007

Contemporary Commentaries

• A Flash of Lightning in the Dark of Night: A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, HH the Dalai Lama, Shambhala, 1994, ISBN: 0877739714
• No Time to Lose: A Timely Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva, Pema Chödrön, Shambhala, 2005
• The Way of Awakening, Geshe Yeshe Tobden, Wisdom, 2005

Teachings on the Bodhicharyavatara at Rigpa Centers

• Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, Rigpa Centres worldwide, 1997-2001
• Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Lerab Ling, 2-17 June 2001 (ninth chapter only)
• Khenpo Sönam Tobden, Pharping, Rigpa Shedra East, 2006-7, see Teachings on 'Nectar of Manjushri's Speech (MP3)'

Internal Links

• Questions on the Bodhicharyavatara - A simple way to test your knowledge of the text.

External Links

• Bodhicharyavatara Series on Lotsawa House
• Khenpo Kunpal's commentary The first five chapters translated by Andreas Kretschmar and available for free download in pdf format