Composed in 8th century India, Shantideva’s A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life is a ten chapter poem dedicated to the development of bodhicitta (the mind of enlightenment) through the practice of the six perfections of generosity, ethics, patience, zeal, meditative concentration and wisdom. It is both personal and humble (Ch 1, v2): I can say nothing here that has not already been said before, And I possess no skill in prosody. Hence, I would not even imagine that this might benefit others; I wrote it only to cultivate bodhicitta within my own mind. and deeply revered and widely practiced. Chapter 6 on patience is considered by many to be the pinnacle of writing on the subject. We will have the benefit of Ven. Amy Miller when we approach this paramita on February 23. Chapter 10 is used by Mahayana Buddhists everywhere as their Dedication of Merit. Although foundational, this is one text that rewards group study. Please join us as we approach A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life with commentaries such as the 14th Dalai Lama's A Flash of Lightning in the dark and Pema Chodron's No Time to Lose. February 2 Introduction to Meditation 9 Chapter 1: Glimpses of enlightenment 16 Chapter 2: Making a fresh start 23 Chapter 6: Patience: Working with Anger Special guest: Amy Miller March 1 Introduction to Meditation 8 Chapter 3: The vast commitment 15 Chapter 4: Working with our intelligence and awareness 22 Chapter 5: Taming the mind 29 Chapter 5: Like a log April 5 Introduction to Meditation 12 Chapter 5: Gathering merit and benefiting others 19 Chapter 6: More on anger 26 Chapter 7: Joyous effort May 3 Introduction to Meditation 10 Chapter 8: Futility of samsara 17 Chapter 8: Exchanging self for other 24 Chapter 9: Dissolving the barriers to wisdom 31 Chapter 10: Dedication of merit
0 Comments
|
Who we areA group of dedicated practitioners who come together weekly to share the Dharma. Archives
May 2019
Categories |