The Path of the Bodhisattva

By Geshe Sonam Gyaltsen

English translation: Inka Wolf
Nederlandse vertaling: Antje Steenhuizen

Note: The dates for this weekend are not yet confirmed and depend on Geshe la's travel plans.

Within the Buddhist Mahāyāna tradition, no work is more revered and practiced than this ‘handbook for (aspiring) Bodhisattvas’.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said, 

"If I have any understanding of compassion and the bodhisattva path, it all comes from studying this text.” 

Written in the eighth century by the Indian bodhisattva Shantideva, it immediately became a classic teaching at Buddhist university monasteries in India and Tibet. Since then, appreciation for this text has only increased. It continues to inspire people around the world. 

Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra has ten chapters devoted to the development of bodhicitta through the practice of the six perfections (Skt. Pāramitās). Shantideva's presentation of the methods for conforming our own lives to the bodhisattva ideal begins with a hymn of praise to the enlightenment mind, the altruistic aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. The following chapters further explain these perfections, which form the basis of bodhisattvas' way of life. For example, the sixth chapter, on the perfection of patience points out the great disadvantages of anger. Tibetan scholars consider the ninth chapter, "Wisdom," to be one of the most concise expositions of the Madhyamaka view. The tenth chapter is widely used as one of the most popular Mahāyāna devotional prayers. 

This is weekend 3 from this new series of classes.

These weekend courses include overnight accommodations, vegetarian meals, linens and a towel. On Friday evening there is a soup and bread meal at 6:30 pm for those who wish.

The weekends can be attended both online and live in Loenen. 

Minimum fee: € 140, (Online 50%) per weekend. For the online classes, a zoom link will be sent to you by email a few days before the start.