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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
Part of: Shambhala Classics (26 Books)
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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.
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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
Paperback : 160 pages
ISBN-10 : 1590306937
Item Weight : 9.4 ounces
ISBN-13 : 978-1590306932
Dimensions : 6 x 0.43 x 9 inches
Publisher : Shambhala; Original edition (April 21, 2009)
Language: : English
Best Sellers Rank: #115,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#1,648 in Christian Self Help
Customer Reviews:
4.7 out of 5 stars 69 ratings
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dalai lama way of the bodhisattva take away main points benefit of all sentient beings tibetan buddhism buddhist text holiness the dalai commentary shantideva perhaps path means century classic concentration flash interested mahayana study
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
John the 19th
5.0 out of 5 stars Namaste, Your Holiness!Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
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
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Krishna Das
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful teaching!Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
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
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Gmonster
5.0 out of 5 stars Dalai Lama/Mahayana/ShantidevaReviewed in the United States on March 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
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.
HelpfulComment Report abuse
David Gould
5.0 out of 5 stars The spiritual potency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama runs through this commentary on the BodhisattvacarayaReviewed in the United States on September 4, 2013
Verified Purchase
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
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Timothy Walden
5.0 out of 5 stars The Science of HappinessReviewed in the United States on July 10, 2000
Verified Purchase
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.
58 people found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Shenphen
5.0 out of 5 stars The Way of the Bodhisattva presented beautifullyReviewed in the United States on June 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
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
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Gregory Ge
5.0 out of 5 stars Great bookReviewed in the United States on July 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
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
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Ulf Wolf
5.0 out of 5 stars A BlessingReviewed in the United States on February 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
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
HelpfulComment Report abuse
See all reviews
Top reviews from other countries
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
Verified Purchase
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.
3 people found this helpfulReport abuse
Azune
5.0 out of 5 stars Another brilliant book by the Dalai LamaReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2015
Verified Purchase
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.
One person found this helpfulReport abuse
ian
4.0 out of 5 stars Four StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 26, 2014
Verified Purchase
loves this book brill thank you I recamend
One person found this helpfulReport abuse
Simon B
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
:)
Report abuse
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
Paperback : 160 pages
ISBN-10 : 1590306937
Item Weight : 9.4 ounces
ISBN-13 : 978-1590306932
Dimensions : 6 x 0.43 x 9 inches
Publisher : Shambhala; Original edition (April 21, 2009)
Language: : English
Best Sellers Rank: #115,913 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#1,648 in Christian Self Help
Customer Reviews:
4.7 out of 5 stars 69 ratings
Related video shorts (0)Upload your video
Be the first videoYour name here
More about the authorsDiscover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Śāntideva
Follow
Dalai Lama
Follow
How would you rate your experience shopping for books on Amazon today
Very poor
Neutral
Great
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
69 global ratings
5 star 85%
4 star 7%
3 star 6%
2 star 0% (0%)
0%
1 star 2%
How are ratings calculated?
Review this product
Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review
Read reviews that mention
dalai lama way of the bodhisattva take away main points benefit of all sentient beings tibetan buddhism buddhist text holiness the dalai commentary shantideva perhaps path means century classic concentration flash interested mahayana study
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
John the 19th
5.0 out of 5 stars Namaste, Your Holiness!Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
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
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Krishna Das
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful teaching!Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
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
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Gmonster
5.0 out of 5 stars Dalai Lama/Mahayana/ShantidevaReviewed in the United States on March 29, 2020
Verified Purchase
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.
HelpfulComment Report abuse
David Gould
5.0 out of 5 stars The spiritual potency of His Holiness the Dalai Lama runs through this commentary on the BodhisattvacarayaReviewed in the United States on September 4, 2013
Verified Purchase
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
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Timothy Walden
5.0 out of 5 stars The Science of HappinessReviewed in the United States on July 10, 2000
Verified Purchase
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.
58 people found this helpful
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Shenphen
5.0 out of 5 stars The Way of the Bodhisattva presented beautifullyReviewed in the United States on June 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
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
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Gregory Ge
5.0 out of 5 stars Great bookReviewed in the United States on July 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
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
HelpfulComment Report abuse
Ulf Wolf
5.0 out of 5 stars A BlessingReviewed in the United States on February 25, 2017
Verified Purchase
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
HelpfulComment Report abuse
See all reviews
Top reviews from other countries
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
Verified Purchase
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.
3 people found this helpfulReport abuse
Azune
5.0 out of 5 stars Another brilliant book by the Dalai LamaReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2015
Verified Purchase
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.
One person found this helpfulReport abuse
ian
4.0 out of 5 stars Four StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 26, 2014
Verified Purchase
loves this book brill thank you I recamend
One person found this helpfulReport abuse
Simon B
5.0 out of 5 stars Five StarsReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
:)
Report abuse
