Engaging in the Bodhisattva Way of Life Chapter 3

Embracing the Mind of Enlightenment

with Ven. Amy Miller

Please note: this course is open to all participants, even if you missed Chapters 1 and 2.

The Way of the Bodhisattva or The Bodhisattva’s Way of Life (the Bodhicaryavatara), Master Shantideva’s stunning missive, is one of Buddhism’s most cherished and transformative texts. It is a rare blend of wisdom, courage, radical compassion, and unapologetic honesty about what it means to serve others in a messy, complicated world. Across centuries, practitioners have returned to this text not only for insight, but for orientation:

• How do we keep our hearts open when life is difficult?
• How do we work for the benefit of others without burning out?
• How do we walk the Bodhisattva path with steadiness, spaciousness, and clarity?

This ongoing evening course, taught by Ven. Amy Miller, offers a fresh, accessible commentary on Shantideva’s teachings, making them immediately relevant to modern practitioners—especially those who have taken the Bodhisattva vows or who dedicate their lives to helping others. Even if you’ve done the Basic Program course on this text, Ven. Amy presents a practical approach complete with a Toolkit of exercises, meditations, and reflections to further assist students.

Shantideva’s genius lies in how directly he speaks to the real challenges of the path: frustration, fear, self-doubt, impatience, and discouragement. And his antidotes—joyful effort, ethical clarity, patience, compassion, and the profound view of emptiness—remain some of the most precise tools for anyone aspiring to live with purpose and serve others wisely.

This course is especially suited for students with some background in Buddhism who want to deepen their understanding of the Bodhisattva ideal and strengthen the qualities that sustain long-term service: resilience, clarity, compassion, and steadiness of heart.

Who is this course for?

• Students with foundational Buddhist study
• Practitioners who have taken (or are drawn to) the Bodhisattva vows
• Anyone committed to serving others—professionally, spiritually, or personally
• Those wanting steady, long-term nourishment for the heart of their practice

Join us as we step into Shantideva’s luminous path—one verse at a time—learning how to bring courage, compassion, and clarity into every corner of our lives.

Practical information

• Days: 2 Wednesday evenings September 16 & 23 
• Timing: from 19.00-21.00 hrs
• Location: both at our center in Amsterdam and via Zoom.
• Language: English 
• Recordings: The classes will be recorded (audio and video) and provided to you 
• Registration: You can register for the 2 lessons together 
• Last-minute registration: Please also send an email to amsterdam@maitreya.nl, to ensure we can send you the necessary Zoomlink in time to join the class.

Donation

Dāna (generosity) is one of the cornerstones of the Buddhist path. By virtue of their generosity, the Buddha and the ordained sangha offer us the teachings, and in exchange, the lay community supports Dharma centers and the monastic community. This interdependence is essential for us to share the Dharma and continue our work to benefit all sentient beings. With your donation we support our teachers in their cost of living and we uphold our dharma center, which is managed entirely by volunteers.

The suggested donation for the series of 2 lessons is €30. For students and people with low income, the suggested donation is €20. Please send us an email if you'd like to make use of this option. Keep in mind that the donation amount should never be an obstacle to your access to the Dharma. Please contact us if it might be an obstacle for you.