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The
Urban Dharma Newsletter... January 20, 2004
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In
This Issue: Shantideva
1.
Shantideva
2. The Life Story of Shantideva
3. “Entering the Path to Enlightenment” Translated
by Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D.
4. Temple/Center/Website- of the Week: Tibetan
Buddhist Resource Center
5. Book/CD/Movie Review: The Way
of the Bodhisattva - A Translation of the Bodhicharyavatara
By Shantideva - Translated by Padmakara Translation Group
-------------------------------
1.
Shantideva
Shantideva
(sometimes Santideva) was an 8th-century Indian Buddhist scholar
at Nalanda University and an adherent of the Madhyamika philosophy.
His
book the Bodhicaryavatara is currently in print in a variety
of translations, sometimes glossed as A Guide to the Bodhisattva's
Way Of Life or Entering the Path of Enlightenment. It is a long
poem describing the process of enlightenment from the first
thought to full buddhahood and is still studied by Mahayana
and Vajrayana Buddhists today.
2.
The Life Story of Shantideva
http://www.khandro.net/Bud_Shantideva.htm
In
Geshe Tsoephel's commentaries on Shantideva's discourse, he
points out that knowing the teacher helps us have faith in the
teaching. Therefore, he relates the following:
Shantideva was born north of Bodhgaya. His father's name was
Gyel.wey Go.cha (Victorious Armor), his mother's name was Vajrayogini.
He was born with many good signs. His given name was Shi.we
Go.cha (armour of peace). [Skt. Shantideva can be translated
in English as Divinity of Peace.]
During his childhood he had great respect to his parents, and
his friends had great respect for him due to his extraordinary
behavior. His father died in order to show that sentient beings
are subject to impermanence, and after this Shantideva developed
more realizations into impermanence and death.
When his father died, the subjects asked Shantideva to take
his father's position. He could not refuse this, so he accepted
to take the position of king. The night before the ceremony
he had a dream about the throne he was going to sit on. Manjushri
showed up in his dream and said: "You are going to sit
on my throne. You are my student. How could student and disciple
sit on the same throne?"
As he rose up from this dream, he realized he would be more
beneficial to other people if he became a monk than a king.
The same night he left for Nalanda monastery. When he came to
Nalanda, he went to see the abbot and the foremost scholar of
Nalanda, Gyal.wa Lha. He received his ordination, and received
the name Shantideva. Under that great scholar and master, Shantideva
also became a master in studies, debating, and so forth.
Even if he was a great scholar, he didn't show this openly to
others, so others didn't know. Students at Nalanda who didn't
like Shantideva wanted to have him expelled from the monastery.
They stated that the place is full of scholars, and said Shantideva
is no scholar, he just knows about eating, sleeping and going
to the bathroom. So they asked Shantideva to give a teaching,
and if he didn't do this, he would have to leave the monastery.
They asked Shantideva to give a teaching. Shantideva didn't
accept the first time, only the second time when asking did
he accept their request. They planned to insult him in a big
group of students. They built a very high throne, assuming Shantideva
would not know how to get up on the throne. They also assembled
a big group of monks. When Shantideva came to the throne, he
touched the throne, and the big throne shrank down so Shantideva
could get up on it. So this immediate gave a strange feeling
to the group -- how could this happen?
Then Shantideva sat on the throne and asked the group what kind
of teaching he should give, something that has been taught before,
or something that has never been taught before? The monks requested
him to teach something that has never taught before. So this
is why Shantideva taught Bodhisattva's Way of Life.
Shantideva gave this teaching, and when his teaching came to
the ninth chapter (the Wisdom chapter), there's a phrase in
this chapter, "…whatever is existent and nonexistent..."
At this point he rose to the sky, and from the sky he gave the
tenth chapter. He was invisible for the people, but those (such
as highly realized beings) who have [clairaudience] could hear
his teachings.
The monks and the people who liked Shantideva felt very sad
as Shantideva was now gone, and those who were against him felt
very impressed and very sorry about what they'd done. "
3.
Epitome of Shântideva’s “Entering the Path
to Enlightenment” (Bodhicaryâvatâra-Samgraha)
Compiled and Translated by Georg Feuerstein, Ph.D.
http://www.yrec.org/shantideva.html
Preface
Shântideva
was one of the great adepts of Buddhism, who lived in the early
eighth century C.E. Very little is known about him. Tradition
remembers him as the son of a minor ruler of what is now Gujarat.
He was initiated by a yogin at the tender age of six, and as
a result of the higher meditation practices he was given, he
had a vision of Manjushrî early in life.
He
renounced the world the night before his coronation and after
a period of wandering became a Buddhist monk and joined the
famous university of Nâlandâ.
He
authored two major works, the Shiksha-Samuccaya (“Compendium
of Teachings”) and the Bodhicaryâvatâra (“Entering
the Path to Enlightenment”). The former, as the title
suggests, is a compilation of valuable instructions by various
masters for those desiring to tread the spiritual path. The
latter celebrates the ideal of the bodhisattva, the person who
is dedicated to rigorous spiritual discipline in order to attain
enlightenment as quickly as possible for the benefit of all
beings.
The
Bodhicaryâvatâra, a beautiful poetic Sanskrit composition,
comprises 913 verses distributed over ten chapters. I have selected
122 verses that I believe represent the essence of Shântideva’s
work. Thus the Bodhicaryâvatâra-Samgraha can serve
as a convenient introduction to the complete text, but is certainly
not intended to be a substitute for it. For those wishing to
study the unabridged original version of this extraordinary
work, I can recommend the translation by Marion L. Matics, as
well as the rendering by Parmananda Sharma.*
*See
M. L. Matics, Entering the Path of Enlightenment (London: George
Allen & Unwin, 1971); P. Sharma, Sântideva’s
Bodhicharyâvatâra (New Delhi: Aditya Prakashan, 1990),
2 vols.
1:
Bowing to the Dharma-embodying Sugatas together with their Sons
and all praiseworthy ones, I shall speak briefly and in accord
with scripture about entering the vow springing from the essence
of the Sugatas. (I.1)
2:
The fortunate moment that is difficult to attain has arrived,
leading to the highest human goal. If not deemed beneficial
now, will this opportunity ever come again? (I.4)
3:
Just as lightning brightens momentarily a dark overcast night,
so by the power of the Buddhas the world’s thinking may
possibly, at least for an instant, be turned toward meritorious
things. (I.5)
4:
The good is always weak, whereas the power of evil is great
and most terrifying. By what other good can evil be conquered
if not by the Mind of Enlightenment? (I.6)
5:
Reflecting for many eons, the foremost sages realized this Mind
of Enlightenment to be good. In this way, joy growing from joy
spills over into the immeasurable mass of people. (I.7)
6:
Those who wish to escape the hundreds of sorrows of existence,
who wish to remove the suffering of others, and who wish to
enjoy the many hundreds of joys must never abandon the Mind
of Enlightenment. (I.8)
7:
By seizing this impure form, one can transform it into the priceless
form of a Conqueror’s jewel. Very firmly seize the effective
elixir known as the Mind of Enlightenment. (I.10)
8:
By relying on this Mind of Enlightenment, one is at once released
even when one has committed grievous sins, just as a hero’s
protection releases one from great fear. Why, then, do ignorant
beings not resort to it? (I.13)
9:
In short, the Mind of Enlightenment is to be understood as being
twofold: the Mind intent on Enlightenment and the Mind proceeding
toward Enlightenment. (I.15)
10:
The fruit of the Mind intent on Enlightenment is great, even
in the midst of the world, but it is not like the continuous
merit of the Mind proceeding toward Enlightenment. (I.17)
11:
Over and over again the Bodhisattva brings about the fulfillment
of all happiness for those who are afflicted and hankering for
happiness, and cuts off all their afflictions. (I.29)
12:
He also destroys their delusion. Where else is there goodness
equal to his? Where else is there such friendship? Where else
is there such virtue? (I.30)
13:
In order to fully grasp this jewel of the mind, I offer worship
to the Tathâgatas, to the spotless jewel of the true Dharma,
and to the Sons of the Buddha, who are oceans of virtue. (II.1)
14:
And I give myself to the Victors and their Sons wholly and completely.
Take hold of me, O foremost beings! With devotion I enter Your
service. (II.8)
15:
By Your taking hold of me, I become fearless and able to work
for the good of beings, to transcend former sins, and also to
commit no further sins. (II.9)
16:
I go for refuge to the Buddha until adorned by enlightenment.
I go for refuge to the Dharma and also to the hosts of Bodhisattvas.
(II.26)
17:
Whatever wrong I have done to the Three Jewels, to my mother
and father, to my teachers, or to others through the misuse
of body, speech, and thought . . . (II.30)
18:
. . . and, O Lords, whatever grievous sin I who am sinful and
afflicted with many faults have committed—all that I confess.
(II.31)
19:
May the Lords pardon my sins and transgressions. O Lords, I
will not do again that which is inauspicious. (II.66)
20:
I rejoice with delight at the good done by all beings, ending
suffering and harm. May all who suffer be joyous! (III.1)
21:
I rejoice at migrators’ release from suffering in the
world, and I rejoice at their Bodhisattvahood and Buddhahood.
(III.2)
22:
I am medicine for the sick. May I be their physician and their
nurse until their sickness is gone. (III.7)
23:
Having dedicated myself to the happiness of all embodied beings,
may they strike me! May they revile me! May they constantly
cover me with dirt! (III.12)
24:
May they play with my body and laugh at or toy with me! Having
given my body to them, why should I be concerned? (III.13)
25:
May those who denounce, injure, and mock me, as well as all
others, share in enlightenment! (III.16)
26:
May I be a protector for those without protection, a guide for
travelers, a boat, a bridge, a passage for those desiring the
farther shore. (III.17)
27:
For all embodied beings, may I be a lamp for those in need of
a lamp; may I be a bed for those in need of a bed; may I be
a servant for those in need of a servant. (III.18)
28:
For all embodied beings, may I be a wish-granting gem, a miraculous
urn, a magical science, a panacea, a wish-fulfilling tree, a
cow of plenty. (III.19)
29:
This Mind of Enlightenment has arisen in me somehow, just as
a blind man might chance upon a jewel in a pile of dirt. (III.27)
30:
This elixir has arisen to eliminate death in the world. It is
the imperishable treasure removing poverty in the world. (III.28)
31:
A son of the Victor, holding very firmly on to the Mind of Enlightenment,
should always make an effort, without laziness, not to transgress
the teachings. (IV.1)
32:
For a Bodhisattva, every transgression is momentous because
in transgressing he reduces the welfare of all beings. (IV.8)
33:
Innumerable Buddhas have passed who favored all beings. Because
of my own fault I have been beyond the reach of their medical
science. (IV.13)
34:
When will I again obtain a human birth, faith, the capacity
for skillful practice, and the presence of the Tathâgatas,
all of which are difficult to obtain? (IV.15)
35:
If I do not do good now, even though I am capable of goodness,
what will I do when I am stupefied by pain and suffering? (IV.18)
36:
The passions are not in the sense objects and they are not in
the sense organs, nor in between them. They are not anywhere
else either. Yet they stir up the entire world. (IV.47)
37:
They are an illusion! O heart, abandon fear! Exert yourself
for the sake of wisdom! Why torment yourself in the hells? (IV.48)
38:
Considering thus, I will make every effort to realize the procedures
and teachings as explained. How can there be health for one
who, in need of medicine, departs from the physician’s
prescription? (IV.49)
39:
He who desires to protect the teachings should diligently protect
the mind. It is not possible to protect the teachings without
protecting the fickle mind. (V.1)
40:
If one binds the elephant of the mind on all sides with the
rope of mindfulness, all fear disappears and complete goodness
emerges. (V.3)
41:
Just as one standing in the midst of a mob carefully protects
his wound, similarly one abiding in the midst of evil folk should
always protect his mind as an open wound. (V.19)
42:
What one has heard or pondered with an inattentive mind does
not stay in one’s memory, like water in a broken vessel.
(V.25)
43:
Many who have been instructed and are full of faith and intent
on effort become defiled with guilt because of the fault of
inattention. (V.26)
44:
Because of inattention—the thief responsible for the theft
of mindfulness—those who are deprived of merit approach
an unfavorable state. (V.27)
45:
The passions, which are a community of thieves, desire incarnation.
Having obtained incarnation, they rob and destroy any favorable
course of life. (V.28)
46:
Therefore one must never withdraw mindfulness from the gates
of the mind. But if it is lost, one should restore it by fully
remembering the pain of hell. (V.29)
47:
One should never cast one’s eyes about aimlessly. One’s
gaze should constantly be fixed downward as if one were meditating.
(V.35)
48:
But in order to rest one’s vision, one may sometimes look
into the distance and when seeing someone approach may look
up for the sake of welcoming them. (V.36)
49:
O mind, why protect the body as if it were your own? If it is
separate from you, then what is its death to you? (V.60)
50:
Take apart this leather bag by means of understanding, and with
the weapon of wisdom sever the flesh from this cage of bones.
(V.62)
51:
Pick up the bones and look at the marrow within. Then ask yourself,
“What essence is there?” (V.63)
52:
Because the body comes and goes without rest, regard it as a
boat. Then oblige your body to move as you desire for the benefit
of all beings. (V.70)
53:
Thus one who has brought his own self under control should always
cultivate a smiling countenance and stop frowning. Also, one
should speak first and be a friend to the world. (V.71)
54:
One should always be a pupil of all and with bowed head receive
the words of those who are skilled in guiding others and who
volunteer their help. (V.74)
55:
One should speak confidently and modestly such words as are
intended to clarify, are pleasing to the mind, delightful to
hear, rooted in compassion, and soft and gentle in tone. (V.79)
56:
One should always look with the eyes straight at others, as
if drinking them in, thinking that one will achieve Buddhahood
through them. (V.80)
57:
One should always be skillful, self-reliant, and full of enthusiasm,
and never make space for anything else in all one’s activities.
(V.82)
58:
Thinking thus, one should always be active for the sake of others.
Even that which is ordinarily forbidden is allowed to one who
sees the purpose of compassion. (V.84)
59:
Sharing with those who are downtrodden, unprotected, or observing
vows, one should eat only a moderate amount and apart from the
three robes should give up all else. (V.85)
60:
One should not torture one’s body, which serves the true
Dharma, for the sake of someone else. For only thus can one
swiftly fulfill the hopes of all beings. (V.86)
61:
Hence one should also not give up one’s life for someone
whose request for compassion is impure, but only for one whose
request is appropriate. In this way, one does not lose out when
one gives up one’s life. (V.87)
62:
One should overtly or covertly act for the sake of others and
for nothing else. One should bend everything to the enlightenment
and the welfare of all beings. (V.101)
63:
Hostility destroys all one’s wholesome conduct, such as
charity and worship of the Buddhas, which has been accumulated
over thousands of eons. (VI.1)
64:
There is no sin equal to hatred and no austerity equal to patience.
Therefore one should diligently cultivate patience by various
means. (VI.2)
65:
So long as the arrow of hatred is buried in one’s chest,
one does not achieve mental stability nor attain the joy of
delight nor find sleep or constancy. (VI.3)
66:
Suffering, humiliation, rudeness, or disgrace are undesirable
both for ourselves and for those who are dear to us, as well
as for our enemy. (VI.11)
67:
Happiness is rarely attained, but suffering exists effortlessly.
And yet, escape is only from suffering. Therefore, make the
mind firm! (VI.12)
68:
Even in suffering a wise person should not disturb the tranquillity
of his mind. For he is at war with the passions, and in war
suffering is easy to come by but is quite unimportant. (VI.19)
69:
The mind, because it is formless, cannot be destroyed by anyone
anywhere. The mind is oppressed by suffering only because of
its attachment to the body. (VI.52)
70:
Humiliation, rudeness, disgrace—this multitude does not
oppress the body. Then why, O mind, are you angered by them?
(VI.53)
71:
It would be better for me to die today than to live a long life
in falsehood. Because even after enjoying a long life, the sorrow
of death awaits me. (VI.56)
72:
As a child cries in distress when its sand castle is destroyed,
so does my own mind appear to me at the loss of praise and fame.
(VI.93)
73:
Accepting praise destroys my equanimity and my spiritual fervor,
and it creates jealousy toward the virtuous and agitation about
their attainments. (VI.98)
74:
Accepting praise is a bond unsuited for my goal of attaining
release. How can I hate those who free me from that bond? (VI.100)
75:
Aggression is not justified by thinking that another person
has created an obstacle to one’s merit. There is no austerity
equal to patience. Surely, now is the occasion for it. (VI.102)
76:
Hence, like a treasure easily discovered in my own house, I
must appreciate my enemy as a helper on the path to enlightenment.
(VI.107)
77:
To honor the Tathagatas, to realize my goal, and to remove the
suffering of the world—let this indeed be my vow. (VI.127)
78:
While in the world, the patient person attains tranquillity,
health, prosperity, delight, long life, and the joy of a world
ruler. (VI.134)
79:
One who has thus become patient should acquire vigor, for enlightenment
is based on vigor. Without vigor there can be no merit, just
as there is no movement without the wind. (VII.1)
80:
What is vigor? Wholesome effort. What is said to be adversity?
Laziness, a weakness for that which is reprehensible, despondency,
and self-contempt. (VII.2)
81:
Having acquired a human “boat,” cross the great
river of suffering! O fool, this is not the time for sleep!
Such a boat is not easily acquired again. (VII.14)
82:
The body is happy because of merit. The mind is happy because
of learning. Remaining in the world for the sake of others,
what could possibly make the compassionate person despondent?
(VII.28)
83:
To achieve the welfare of all beings, one must resort to the
power of zeal, constancy, joy, and release. Zeal should be cultivated
out of apprehension for suffering and translated into action.
(VII.31)
84:
The Sage has said that zeal is the root of all wholesome things
and that its root is constant meditation upon the ripening of
the fruit of one’s actions. (VII.40)
85:
One should guard against the blows of the passions and firmly
strike at the passions like someone engaging a sword fight with
a skillful opponent. (VII.67)
86:
In such a fight, just as one would out of fear pick up one’s
sword after dropping it, so also, remembering the hells, one
should pick up the sword of mindfulness after dropping it. (VII.68)
87:
Just as poison, upon entering the bloodstream, spreads throughout
the body, so also a fault, when it can find an opening, spreads
throughout the mind. (VII.69)
88:
Just as one instantly leaps up when a snake is put in one’s
lap, so one should immediately take counteraction at the approach
of sleep and laziness. (VII.71)
89:
Having thus developed zeal, one should fix the mind in concentration,
because the man whose mind is fickle is caught in the fangs
of the passions. (VIII.1)
90:
By detaching oneself from the body and the mind, no distraction
can arise. Therefore, renouncing the world one should shun distracted
thinking. (VIII.2)
91:
Well-disciplined in insight by means of tranquillity, one should
remove the passions. One should first desire tranquillity, and
this comes from delighting in indifference toward the world.
(VIII.4)
92:
One should flee far from the fool. On meeting with one, however,
one should conciliate him with kindnesses, yet not out of attachment
to praise but with the indifference of an ascetic. (VIII.15)
93:
Trees do not think nor are they particularly honored. When shall
I live with such pleasant fellow beings? (VIII.26)
94:
Primarily, one should carefully cultivate the equality of others
and oneself. I must heed all their same joys and sorrows as
if they were my own. (VIII.90)
95:
Recognizing that one is full of faults but others are oceans
of virtue, one should aspire to abandon the self-sense and give
oneself to others. (VIII.113)
96:
He who wishes to quickly rescue himself and others should practice
the supreme secret: the exchanging of oneself with others. (VIII.120)
97:
Whatever adversities there may be, and whatever sorrows and
fears come into the world, they are all from embracing the self.
What about this embrace of myself? (VIII.134)
98:
Without renouncing the self one is not able to abandon suffering,
just as one cannot avoid being burned without avoiding fire.
(VIII.135)
99:
Countless eons have passed with you pursuing your own goals.
By this enormous effort you have gained only suffering. (VIII.155)
100:
Therefore, at my request, unhesitatingly act on this. You will
see the benefits of your actions later because of the Sage’s
word. (VIII.156)
101:
The passions and shattered hopes spring from desiring the impossible.
He who is free from hope has everywhere never-ending good fortune.
(VIII.176)
102:
Therefore the body’s desires should not be given any opportunity
to grow. Only a thing that is not grasped out of desire is auspicious.
(VIII.177)
103:
Hence, in order to destroy the hindrances, I practice collectedness
by withdrawing the mind from wrong pathways, constantly relying
on myself. (VIII.186)
104:
The Sage spoke of this practice as being entirely for the sake
of wisdom. Therefore, one should generate wisdom with a desire
to remove suffering. (IX.1)
105:
It is thought that truth is twofold: veiled and transcendental.
Reality is beyond the range of the mind. The mind is what is
called “veiled.” (IX.2)
106:
The world is experienced as twofold: that of the yogi and that
of the ordinary person. The world of the ordinary person is
contradicted by the world of the yogi. (IX.3)
107:
By holding to the idea of emptiness, one recognizes that the
idea of existence is nothing at all. Later, with practice, even
that notion is abandoned. (IX.33)
108:
When neither existence nor nonexistence is present in the mind,
then, because there is no other possibility, the mind without
support becomes tranquil. (IX.35)
109:
Without emptiness, the fettered mind arises again, as in the
case of unconsciousness. Hence one should culvitate emptiness.
(IX.49)
110:
Emptiness is the antidote to the dark veil of the passions and
their objects. Why, then, does one who desires omniscience not
cultivate it quickly? (IX.55)
111:
If existence is not possible at the same time as nonexistence,
when will existence ever come to be? Indeed, nonexistence will
not disappear so long as existence is not created. (IX.148)
112:
Thus there is no cessation, nor is there ever existence. Hence
this entire world is not created and not destroyed. (IX.150)
113:
Life passes quickly and in vain, and discernment is very difficult
to obtain. Whence comes the disposition to ward off its repeated
distractions? (IX.161)
114:
Moreover, the present moment is difficult to come by, and exceedingly
difficult is an encounter with a Buddha. Ah, but the flood of
passions is hard to overcome. It is a succession of sorrows.
(IX.163)
115:
May all those everywhere who are suffering bodily or mental
pain obtain oceans of happiness and delight through my merits.
(X.2)
116:
May the blind see forms. May the deaf always hear. May pregnant
women give birth without pain, like Mayadevi. (X.19)
117:
May all have clothes, food, drink, ornaments of garlands and
sandal-wood—whatever the mind desires that is good. (X.20)
118:
And may the fearful be without fear, and those afflicted with
grief attain joy. And may those who are distressed be without
distress and filled with fortitude. (X.21)
119:
May the sick be well. May the weak be strong. May all be released
from bondage. May all have affectionate thoughts for each other.
(X.22)
120:
May all beings have unlimited life spans. May they always live
happily. May even the word “death” vanish! (X.33)
121:
For as long as space endures and the world exists, may my own
existence bring about the removal of the world’s suffering.
(X.55)
122:
May the Teaching, which is the only remedy for the world’s
suffering, and which is the cause of all happiness and prosperity,
endure with honor and advantage for a long time. (X.57)
Here
ends the Bodhicaryâvatâra-Samgraha
©
2000 Georg Feuerstein
4.
Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center
http://www.tbrc.org/
The
mission of the Tibetan Buddhist Resource Center, Inc. is to
promote research
and
scholarship in Tibetan Buddhism and advance the preservation
of the Tibetan cultural heritage by making its literary tradition
widely available in the form of digital images.
With
the exodus of Tibetans from their homeland, their ancient wisdom
was dispersed into the world. The precious texts and the oral
traditions they brought with them gave new impetus to Tibetan
and Buddhist studies in the West. This unique tradition is particularly
rich as it includes not only the Tibetans’ original contributions
but also the traditional works of the great Indian scholars
and masters, which were systematically documented and preserved
in Tibet. Tibet’s extensive literature contains fully
developed branches of knowledge that covers everything from
philosophy, medicine, art, psychology, astrology, and mathematics
to alchemy, poetics, and history.
5.
The Way of the Bodhisattva - A Translation of the Bodhicharyavatara
By Shantideva - Translated by Padmakara Translation Group
http://www.shambhala.com/html/catalog/items/author/223.cfm/
Paperback
ISBN: 1-59030-057-2
Shambhala Classics
List Price: $14.95
Our Price: $11.96 You Save: $2.99 (20%)
Availability: Usually ships in 24-48 hours.
Shantideva
was a scholar in the eighth century from the monastic university
Nalanda, one of the most celebrated centers of learning in ancient
India. According to legend, Shantideva was greatly inspired
by the celestial bodhisattva Manjushri, from whom he secretly
received teachings and great insights. Yet as far as the other
monks could tell, there was nothing special about Shantideva.
In fact, he seemed to do nothing but eat and sleep. In an attempt
to embarrass him, the monks forced Shantideva's hand by convincing
him to publicly expound on the scriptures. To the amazement
of all in attendance that day, Shantideva delivered the original
and moving verses of the Bodhicharyavatara. When he reached
verse thirty-four of the ninth chapter, he began to rise into
the sky, until he at last disappeared. Following this, Shantideva
became a great teacher.
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