For the Benefit of All Beings: A Commentary on the Way of the Bodhisattva (Shambhala Classics) Paperback – April 21, 2009
by Dalai Lama (Author), The Padmakara Translation Group (Translator)
4.7 out of 5 stars 69 ratings
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The fourteenth Dalai Lama, a living embodiment of the bodhisattva ideal, presents here detailed practical guidance based on sections of The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva, the best-known text of Mahayana Buddhism. The Dalai Lama explains this classic and beloved work, showing how anyone can develop a truly "good heart" and the aspiration for the enlightenment of all beings. In this book, the Dalai Lama's profound knowledge is evident—the result of extensive training. Here he shares his extraordinary insight into the human condition and what it means to be a responsible and caring person. This book was previously published under the title A Flash of Lightning in the Dark of Night.
Editorial Reviews
Review
“On many levels, the book is splendid as both an introduction to Buddhist spirituality and an explication of Shantideva for contemporary Westerners.”—Library Journal
“One does not have to be a Buddhist to appreciate the beauty of the teachings and the simplicity of the life presented here. Indeed, non-Buddhists may discover a refreshing new approach to the doctrines of ‘love your neighbor,’ and ‘do unto others.’”—Booklist
About the Author
His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama is considered the foremost Buddhist leader of our time. The exiled spiritual head of the Tibetan people, he is a Nobel Peace Laureate, a Congressional Gold Medal recipient, and a remarkable teacher and scholar who has authored over one hundred books.
Product details
Item Weight : 9.4 ounces
Paperback : 160 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1590306932
Dimensions : 6 x 0.43 x 9 inches
Publisher : Shambhala; Original edition (April 21, 2009)
Language: : English
Best Sellers Rank: #271,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#3,171 in Christian Self Help
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars 69 ratings
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John the 19th
5.0 out of 5 stars Namaste, Your Holiness!
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2017
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If humanity took the pursuit of Bodichitta to heart, what a world this could be. His Holiness expands on and updates Shantideva's classic work for our day and age. You don't need to be a Buddhist to be absolutely stunned by the Dalai Lama's brilliant and incisive mind as he addresses even the most complicated and arcane concepts and makes them accessible to everyone. His exile made him known to us, all over the world. His Nobel Peace Prize was not just awarded. It was earned. His life is a great benefit to all beings.
7 people found this helpful
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Krishna Das
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful teaching!
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2018
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Wonderful teaching. Very clean and full of love. Amazingly simple and heartfelt! Very readable... As I understand it the Way of the Boddhisattva by Shantideva upon which this commentary is based is one of the most preferred books (teachings) by the Dalai Lama.
3 people found this helpful
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Gmonster
5.0 out of 5 stars Dalai Lama/Mahayana/Shantideva
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2020
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The Way of the Bodhisattva is a fundamental text in Mahaya Buddhism which poetically describes the beauty and profundity of an altruistic intention.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama regularly refers to it as pivotal for his own development.
In this book he tells the reader in more detail.
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David Gould
5.0 out of 5 stars The spiritual potency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama runs through this commentary on the Bodhisattvacaraya
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2013
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There are a number of good commentaries on this foundational Mahayana Buddhist text. His Holiness's ranks among the very best. There is a subtle emphasis on the place of ethics in our response to life, and of the need forWe discipline in the spiritual life. His Holiness says that we need structure rather than ad hoc approaches: Our spiritual development should follow the stages of the six paramitas, perfecting each one in turn". This is a solidly Buddhist commentary, unashamedly so. It thus differs in tone from some of His Holiness's collaborative writings that are more ecumenical and generic in nature and content. Really worth having, reading, reflecting on and applying.
5 people found this helpful
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Timothy Walden
5.0 out of 5 stars The Science of Happiness
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2000
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A practical guide to finding peace and freedom from suffering, this commentary on, and translation of verses from, an eighth century text contains explanations and simple exercises and visualizations to help develop the six practices of generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, concentration, and wisdom in order to overcome ignorance, attachment, and aversion and to benefit all beings. The closer you look at the boundary between self and non self, the fuzzier it gets. Is your hair or sweat self? Is the meal you've just eaten non self? Are you not affected by the ideas and actions of those with whom you are in contact, whether they are friends, strangers, or enemies? Unless your motivation is to help everyone, you are working against yourself.
The keys to the practice are patience and concentration, the ways to avoid the pain of anger and to stay on the right path. "Animate causes that make us unhappy ... are themselves influenced by other conditions .... they are in fact powerless. So there is no need to get angry." Being distracted by the impermanent and unreal will bring no lasting happiness, only suffering. Changing your basic patterns of behavior by an act of will does not work, but moving slowly and consistently, step by step, using the well tested methods introduced here, it is possible to reprogram your brain.
His Holiness has selected the more practical and less dogmatic verses and has omitted the detailed philosophical arguments in the section on wisdom. Buddhist concepts and explanations from other texts are used. With a little previous exposure, this book will give a good overview of Tibetan Buddhism and foundation for further study.
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Shenphen
5.0 out of 5 stars The Way of the Bodhisattva presented beautifully
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2015
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The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva, This set of CD teachings was a unique opportunity to listen, go back and consider and move to next point. His Holiness never fails to be highly careful of words he chooses to put a point across. As usual it is a joy to listen to, to put into practice the many suggestions that can only benefit myself and others. I have listened to this set many times over and will continue to do so as I love them.
2 people found this helpful
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Gregory Ge
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2016
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The book brilliantly summarized the main points of the text. It provides both the elegance of Shantideva's originally writing, and the brilliance of His Holiness's thoughts on the text. Presented in a concise and clear manner, it is a great book for both long-time meditators and people who just want to understand Buddhist thoughts.
5 people found this helpful
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Ulf Wolf
5.0 out of 5 stars A Blessing
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2017
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This is a kind book. It is possibly the kindest book I have ever read. The Dalai Lama’s good wishes for your well-being literally (pun intended) seeps through his words sentences and you feel in strong, safe hands reading it. I’d call it a blessing.
The book is a very helpful commentary on Santideva’s Bodhicaryavatara (A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life), one of the most revered Buddhist Scriptures. HH Dalai Lama examines most relevant points and passages (to examine and comment on each and every one would take a much longer book than this) and explains them from a very commonsensical standpoint—clearly communicated.
At times, Santideva can be quite terse and it can be hard to ascertain—with certainty—precisely what he means. It is clear that the Dalai Lama indeed knows what Santideva means and so he renders the meanings quite understandably for us mere mortals.
Yes, I’d call this book a blessing.
3 people found this helpful
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DLEE
5.0 out of 5 stars A must have text. Joyful and easy to read.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 21, 2014
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A superb commentary buy His Holiness.. A sutra study that is enlightening and enriching. I have not finishedit for it is not that kind of book . It is a book for slow and carful study of joyful texts. Lovely and a must have in the Buddhist library.
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Azune
5.0 out of 5 stars Another brilliant book by the Dalai Lama
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2015
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Another brilliant book by the Dalai Lama. His ability to bring extra comprehension to complex works is invaluable. I have bought the Nectar of Manjusri which is a more scholarly and heavy book and they both give a fascinating insight into the Way of the Bodhisattva. The book fairly slim line but the text is dense enough that it represents great value.
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ian
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 26, 2014
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loves this book brill thank you I recamend
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==========
For the Benefit of All Beings: A Commentary on the Way of the Bodhisattva
by Dalai Lama XIV, James Gimian (Narrator), Padmakara Translation Group (Translator), Wulstan Fletcher (Narrator)
4.39 · Rating details · 189 ratings · 13 reviews
The fourteenth Dalai Lama, a living embodiment of the bodhisattva ideal, presents here detailed practical guidance based on sections of The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva, the best-known text of Mahayana Buddhism. The Dalai Lama explains this classic and beloved work, showing how anyone can develop a truly "good heart" and the aspiration for the enlightenment of all beings. In this book, the Dalai Lama shares his extraordinary insight into the human condition and what it means to be a responsible and caring person.
4 CDs, 5 hours, unabridged. (less)
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Published May 12th 2009 by Shambhala Audio (first published April 12th 2009)
Original TitleFor the Benefit of All Beings: A Commentary on the Way of the Bodhisattva
ISBN1590307070 (ISBN13: 9781590307076)
Edition LanguageEnglish
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For the Benefit of All Beings: A Commentary on the Way of the Bodhisattva
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LISTS WITH THIS BOOK
Stages of Meditation by Dalai Lama XIVThe World of Tibetan Buddhism by Dalai Lama XIVBeyond Religion by Dalai Lama XIVThe Art of Happiness by Dalai Lama XIVFor the Benefit of All Beings by Dalai Lama XIV
Tibetan Buddhism: The Dalai Lama
51 books — 6 voters
The Way of the Bodhisattva by ŚāntidevaDon't Believe Everything You Think by Thubten ChodronFor the Benefit of All Beings by Dalai Lama XIVThe Nectar of Manjushri's Speech by Kunzang PeldenThe Bodhisattva Path of Wisdom and Compassion by Chögyam Trungpa
Tibetan Buddhism: Bodhisattva Training
17 books — 5 voters
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Mary Overton
Dec 30, 2010Mary Overton added it · review of another edition
"What do we mean by BODHISATTVA? BODHI means enlightenment, the state devoid of all defects and endowed with all good qualities. SATTVA refers to someone who has courage and confidence and who strives to attain enlightenment for the sake of all beings. Those who have this spontaneous, sincere wish to attain enlightenment for the ultimate benefit of all beings are called Bodhisattvas. Through wisdom, they direct their minds to enlightenment, and through their compassion, they have concern for beings. This wish for perfect enlightenment for the sake of others is what we call bodhichitta, and it is the starting point on the path." pg. 12
"Positive actions are difficult to perform and therefore do not occur frequently. It is hard to have positive thoughts when one's mind is influenced by emotions and confused by adverse conditions. Negative thoughts arise by themselves, and it is difficult to make our actions truly positive when our intentions and the way we carry them through are not perfectly pure. Our meager stock of hard-won positive actions is rendered powerless in an instant of anger. The damage is immeasurably more serious than if we had lost something more easily acquired." pg 53
"Anger is worse than any ordinary enemy. Of course, ordinary enemies harm us: that is why we call them enemies. But the wrong they do us is intended to help themselves or their friends, not just make us unhappy. On the other hand, the inner enemy, anger, has no other function than to destroy our positive actions and make us suffer. That is why Shantideva says, 'My foe who has no other purpose but to hurt and injure me.' From the moment it appears, it exists for the sole purpose of harming us. So we should confront it with all the means we have. Let us maintain a peaceful state of mind and avoid getting upset.
"What irritates us in the first place is that our wishes are not fulfilled. But remaining upset does nothing to help fulfill those wishes. So we neither fulfill our wishes nor regain our cheerfulness! This disconcerted state, from which anger can grow, is most dangerous." pg 55 (less)
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Isaac Wayne
Feb 19, 2018Isaac Wayne rated it really liked it · review of another edition
First of all I want to give thanks to the incredible translators of this book, the Padmakra Translation Group, for doing an incredible job. The editing was excellently executed and was all in all a pleasurable read in that regard. I also want to note that this book is my first study of Buddhism, but I understand that there are different kinds and this is a book that essentially transcribes a talk given by the Dalai Lama on the Bodhicharyavatara. All that being said, I found some of the content troubling. Hypocrisy, victim-blaming, and disdain for all of reality here on earth seem to me like a rather unhealthy viewpoint. That is not to say there is no wisdom in here, I found chapter four on carefulness to be particularly interesting and insightful, and throughout the book there are many other diamonds of knowledge.
To somebody considering reading this book I would recommend it. I think it gives the reader a handle on the basics of the practices of Buddhists and a peek into the philosophy of the Dalai Lama himself and his wealth of information. Very unique, definitely useful information to put in your brain. (less)
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Jeremy
Jun 24, 2017Jeremy rated it liked it · review of another edition
This is the Dalai Lama’s commentary on Shantideva’s “The Way of the Bodhisattva.” HHDL has said, “If I have any understanding of compassion and the practice of the bodhisattva path, it is entirely on the basis of this text that I possess it.” It is clear that the Shantideva is important to him, and he encourages the reader to approach any teaching, including his, with the attitude of “The four reliances”:
Do not rely on individuals, rely on the teachings.
Do not rely on the words, rely on the meaning.
Do not rely on the adapted meaning, rely on the ultimate meaning.
Do not rely on intellectual knowledge, rely on wisdom.
A full elucidation of the Wisdom chapter was beyond the scope of this book, which is unfortunate since that is the chapter that most needs clarification. Apparently there is a separate text dedicated solely to this chapter, which I suppose I’ll have to read soon: Practicing Wisdom.
HHDL’s commentary makes it clear that Shantideva’s teaching encourages a pragmatic look at the consequences of our actions. When examining anger, “What irritates us in the first place is that our wishes are not fulfilled. But remaining upset does nothing to help fulfill those wishes. So we neither fulfill our wishes nor regain our cheerfulness!”
He also discusses the interdependent nature of reality in a pragmatic way: “When others harm us, it gives us the chance to practice patience and thus to purify numerous negative actions and to accumulate much merit. Since it is our enemies who give us this great opportunity, in reality they are helping us. But because they are committing negative actions and we are the cause of these, we are actually harming them. So if there is anyone to get angry with, it should be ourselves. We should never be angry with our enemies, regardless of their attitude, since they are indeed useful to us.”
In the Road Less Traveled, M. Scott Peck describes laziness as “love’s opposite” and characterizes evil as “laziness carried to its extreme.” It seems this is consistent with HHDL’s commentary: “Laziness has three aspects: having no wish to do good, being distracted by negative activities, and underestimating oneself by doubting one’s ability.” All three of these elements prevent one from acting out of love.
The importance of balance appears several times throughout the commentary. For example, with regard to laziness versus effort, “Moderation is to be applied… we should not force ourselves, but we should stop and rest so that later whatever we do will be done properly and completely.” In the area of intellectual versus experiential understanding, both are necessary: “Having cleared away doubts intellectually, we should integrate our understanding with the experience of meditation. In this way our practice will be balanced and complete.” As with so many things, balance is key.
Potent Quotables:
The nature of the mind, clear and aware, is free from defects; it cannot be affected by obscurations. No phenomena, whether mental or occurring in the external world, can affect it.
It is the very notion of enemies that is the main obstacle to bodhichitta. (less)
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John Stepper
Jul 26, 2018John Stepper rated it it was amazing
I never imagined becoming fascinated by an 8th-century Buddhist monk, but it’s happened.
My first introduction to Shantideva and Bodhisattvas was “No Time To Lose” by Pena Chödrön, which was excellent. I thought that was sufficient, but now I realize I only scratched the surface of what Shantideva had to teach.
This short book is extremely well-written (despite undergoing a translation). The commentary is clear and compelling, and makes the ancient text accessible and interesting. In less than 130 pages, I found inspiration to learn more and also do (and be) more.
(less)
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Jason Comely
May 04, 2019Jason Comely rated it it was amazing
Shelves: asian-intellectual-traditions, lifehacks-gtd, religion
Speaking as a devout Christian, I found this to be an inspiring guide to living a compassionate life and becoming a Bodhisattva. Even if you don't agree with Buddhist doctrine, you can still benefit greatly from the Dalai Lama's commentary.
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Lisa Keuss
Aug 10, 2020Lisa Keuss rated it it was amazing
So many simple, beautiful teachings on mindfulness, patience, compassion, and wisdom. An especially important book to read right now, as we contemplate what we can do to help "drive away the sorrows of the world."
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Ulf Wolf
Feb 24, 2017Ulf Wolf rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
This is a kind book. It is possibly the kindest book I have ever read. The Dalai Lama’s good wishes for your well-being literally (pun intended) seeps through his words sentences and you feel in strong, safe hands reading it. I’d call it a blessing.
The book is a very helpful commentary on Santideva’s Bodhicaryavatara (A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life), one of the most revered Buddhist Scriptures. HH Dalai Lama examines most relevant points and passages (to examine and comment on each and every one would take a much longer book than this) and explains them from a very commonsensical standpoint—clearly communicated.
At times, Santideva can be quite terse and it can be hard to ascertain—with certainty—precisely what he means. It is clear that the Dalai Lama indeed knows what Santideva means and so he renders the meanings quite understandably for us mere mortals.
Yes, I’d call this book a blessing.
(less)
flagLike · comment · see review
Rachel
Jun 03, 2020Rachel rated it it was amazing
There are many commentary on the famous work Bodhicaryavatara (The Way of Bodhisattva) by Santideva and HH the Dalai Lama’s commentary is the first one I read.
It gave me chills and deepened my understanding about compassion. Later when I listened to his teacher (Dilgo Khyentse)’s commentary, I had moments where I sobbed with lots of emotions. This is the power of great beings who have high realization of bodhicitta. Their words can shake your world and greatly increase your level of bodhicitta.
Books/commentary like this are to be read and contemplated over and over again when you’re embarking on a journey to become a bodhisattva and eventually a buddha, or even just to become a better human being and live a meaningful life. (less)
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Jennifer Campaniolo
Apr 13, 2009Jennifer Campaniolo rated it liked it
Since I'm in the beginning process of learning about Buddhism, this was a challenging read for me. I had a lot of questions (which probably isn't a bad thing!) I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of reincarnation, and how we act in this life affects our next life. Isn't the point to live in the moment and not dwell on future happiness/unhappiness? Who will be my judge at the end of this life into the next? And can we completely surrender ourselves to the service of others? Humans are fallible and I find it hard to believe that we can achieve this perfect state of altruism (though we can of course strive to be a kinder, more loving person.)
I would be curious to talk about this book with someone else and get their reading.
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Claire
Dec 25, 2012Claire rated it really liked it
Shelves: buddhism
Thoughtful commentary on Shantidevas teachings. I found it more in depth and philosophical/'technical' than the arguably more accessible No Time to Lose by Pema. Take your pick.
For me Shantideva, as a reflection on emptiness, talks in circles. At times DL just added to that experience for me. Saying that not one invaluable word. Pema though in contrast seems to (relatively) cut right to the heart-feel of the teachings without providing more mental gymnastics. (less)
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