Śāntideva—Bodhicaryāvatāra Series

• Overview of the Bodhicaryāvatāra by Thubten Chökyi Drakpa | Bodhicaryāvatāra

Taken from The Excellent Vase that Grants the Qualities of the Bodhisattvas (rgyal sras yon tan bum bzang), the author's extensive commentary preserving his teacher Patrul Rinpoche's instructions, this overview discusses the structure of Śāntideva's classic text and how its major sections and chapters have been analyzed and explained by various commentators.

• Prayer to the Lineage of the Bodhicaryāvatāra by Patrul Rinpoche | Lineage Prayers

This prayer to the masters of the lineage of explanation for Bodhicaryāvatāra, from Patrul Rinpoche back through the generations as far as Śāntideva, and before him to Buddha Śākyamuni and Mañjuśrī, is also an aspiration to take the central message of the text to heart.

• The Brightly Shining Sun: A Step-by-Step Guide to Meditating on the Bodhicaryāvatāra by Patrul Rinpoche | Bodhicaryāvatāra

Patrul Rinpoche was renowned for his mastery of, and fondness for, Śāntideva's classic guide to the way of the bodhisattvas, and this is his practical manual for applying its wisdom and meditating on its key themes.

• Bodhicaryāvatāra—Chapter 1: The Benefits of Bodhicitta | Bodhicaryāvatāra

The first chapter of Śāntideva's classic text introduces bodhicitta (byang chub sems)—the mind that is intent upon awakening—and explains its extraordinary qualities.

• Bodhicaryāvatāra—Chapter 2: Confession of Negativity | Bodhicaryāvatāra

The second chapter includes verses on making offerings (mchod pa 'bul ba), taking refuge (skyabs su 'gro ba) and the confession of negativity (sdig pa bshags pa).

• Bodhicaryāvatāra—Chapter 3: Fully Adopting Bodhicitta | Bodhicaryāvatāra

The third chapter, which is entitled "Fully Adopting Bodhicitta" (byang chub kyi sems yongs su bzung ba), includes the ritual of taking the bodhisattva vow.

• Bodhicaryāvatāra: Teachings and Overview by Alak Zenkar Rinpoche | Bodhicaryāvatāra

Translated from an audio recording. Zenkar Rinpoche explains the various methods and traditions of teaching the Bodhicaryāvatāra, especially that of Dza Patrul Rinpoche (1808–1887) and his followers, who often guided students through the text experientially.