Product Description

The Bodhicharyavatara, or Way of the Bodhisattva, composed by the eighth-century Indian master Shantideva, has occupied an important place in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition almost from its inception. One of the great classics of Mahayana Buddhism, it describes the path of the bodhisattvas, those who vow to become enlightened in order to help all beings awaken into the state of freedom and fulfillment. It is a guide to cultivating the mind of enlightenment through generating the qualities of love, compassion, generosity, and patience.

Patrul Rinpoche, the celebrated nineteenth-century master and author of The Words of My Perfect Teacher, devoted his whole life to the practice and teachings of the Bodhicharyavatara. Although he never composed an extensive commentary on this great work, it is said that, when traveling all over the east of Tibet, he expounded it more than one hundred times, sometimes in detailed courses lasting many months. Kunzang Pelden spent most of his early life with Patrul Rinpoche and was one of his close disciples. This commentary is a compilation of the extensive notes he took during a six-month teaching given by Patrul Rinpoche at Dzogchen Monastery. It is thanks to Kunzang Pelden's labors that Patrul Rinpoche's teachings on the Bodhicharyavatara have been preserved. It could perhaps be said that The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech is the commentary that Patrul Rinpoche so often presented to students, but never actually wrote.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #297658 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-13
• Released on: 2007-11-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 464 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781590304396
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Review
"If I have any understanding of compassion and the practice of the bodhisattva path, it is entirely on the basis of this text [The Way of the Bodhisattva] that I possess it."—H. H. the Dalai Lama

“This is a must-have, must-read, must-contemplate, and must-follow book for those who wish to exercise the privilege of being heir to Shakyamuni Buddha’s unique heritage.”—Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse, author of What Makes You Not a Buddhist“What a tremendous blessing and joy it is that Khenpo Kunpel’s renowned commentary on the Bodhicaryavatara, based on the definitive oral instructions of the great saint and master of compassion Patrul Rinpoche, is now available in such a fluent and authoritative translation. This is a modern classic for our times—an exceptionally clear and comprehensive guide to Shantideva’s timeless verses, an encyclopedic treasury of Buddhist wisdom, and an inspiring companion for all who seek to follow the compassionate path of the bodhisattvas.”—Sogyal Rinpoche, author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying

About the Author
Kunzang Pelden (sometimes known as Khenpo Kunpel) was born in Tibet in 1862. One of the great monk-scholars of the Nyingma tradition, he was a close disciple of the famous Patrul Rinpoche, the renowned author of The Words of My Perfect Teacher. He composed numerous important texts, notably The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech, which was culled from the teachings of Patrul Rinpoche himself. 

Customer Reviews

An Entry into the Activities of Enlightenment
Indeed this work is a detailed commentary on Shantideva's Way of the Bodhisattva, no more no less. As explained by its author Khenpo Kunzang Peldenin in the text's colophon, this work is the compilation of extensive notes taken during a six-month course by the author. The course focused on an ancient Indian Buddhist text called "Way of the Bodhisattva" taught by Patrul Rinpoche at Dzogchen Monastery located in Eastern Tibet at the end of the 19th-century. 'The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech' is an English translation of the original Tibetan work.

This work includes excerpts but not the full text of The 'Way of the Bodhisattva' (Bodhisattvacaryavatara), also known as 'An Entry into the Activities of Enlightenment' (Bodhicharyavatara), a relatively long poem, which details the process of enlightenment, beginning with the originating thought and continuing through to full Buddhahood. Originally written by Shantideva an 8th-century Indian Buddhist scholar and adherent of the Prasangika Madhyamaka philosophy at the ancient Nalanda University in Bihar, India. English translations of the Sanskrit and Tibetan versions can be found online, as well as in print.

The great commentary
This is a book one peruses over a long time. It is very readable, yet I tried to just read through and there's too much to contemplate to do that. It is superb and an important text for any dharma student's library. How marvelous to have the great Kunpel's teachings near me!
The textural outline is too complicated for my use, but the translation and translator's commentaries are excellent, accessible, enjoyable to read. I haven't read through the whole thing yet, but I keep this book close. It's like having a good friend around.
The spine of this hardcover book broke right away. A bit disconcerting for the price, since it's something to keep and study for a life time. But don't miss it.

Shining a Light on the Path
The translators have done an amazing job of making this text understandable and relevant for Western students. The cultural context is very helpful.