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  Bodhicharyavatara

  Recently I study Bodhicharyavatara, translated from the Padmakara translation group. It is an excellent sacred text composed in verses, by Shantideva. Bellow, I attach internet link which is freely available as an act of generosity by Andreas Kretschmar, yet his work is uncompleted.
  Wishing you all to benefit from it the most as it is possible :)

  http://www.kunpal.com/

  SimonaP started this discussion 5 months ago. ( reply )

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  ariel v 

  thank you !!!!!!!! appreciate this link!

  posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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  C2 (edited)

  Thanks, SimonaP, I have yet to make a study of THE PERFECT WORDS OF MY TEACHER--Patrul Rinpoche.
  Pema Chodron once commented on how difficult that book was for her. In her book, NO TIME TO LOSE: A
  Timely Guide to the Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicharyavatara), she says: <bq>
  According to Patrul Rinpoche, the easiest thing to relinquish is our possessions, and we know how hard that can be. Giving up attachment to our bodies, he says, is even more challengeing; yet the most difficult to give up is our merit. Can you imagine willingly letting go of all your good fortune? Would you be able to relinquish your good qualities, pleasing circumstances, comforts, and prestige so that others may be happy?
  ...Giving away merit is equivalent to shedding everything. It is the ultimate way to become *shenpa*-free.
  <bq> *shenpa* = the feeling of getting "hooked," nonverbal tightening or shutting down.
  Also in her bibliography she indicates under "Other Transcripts" <bq>
  Andreas Kretschmar, trans. BODHISATTVA-CHARYAVATARA, ENTERING THE CONDUCT OF THE
  BODHISATTVAS, accompanied by a translation of DROPS OF NECTAR. This is a translation of an important
  commentary on Shantideva's text by Khenpo Kunpal (a direct student of Patrul Rinpoche), text and
  commentaries have been presented by the translator as a gift of dharma. English text is edited by Judith S.
  Amtzis. Website: www.kunpal.com.
  <bq>

  posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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  SimonaP 

  Well, it`s interesting, indeed. But, what I find challenging is next: for example, you have something which means to you a lot. And then somebody comes and take it away. Let us say, by force. Here, I find really challenging to give after, it was taken, because how can you give something after when it is not yours anymore. And in life there are many such things, which you lose, not necessary by other sentient beings, but simply because of karma conditions change. Even life itself. Do we give it, or it is taken from us?

  posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

  show 4 replies

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    C2 

    This is where I love the Buddha's Teaching on impermanence. I think after the first teaching of
    dana--generosity, "change" is key to the concept of non-attachment. Last year my friend's store
    full of buddha statues, spiritual books, rocks and gemstones and just an "oasis" for relaxation,
    chatting and partaking of spiritual lectures and seminars was burnt in a "mysterious" fire. I have watched her go through a healing process that sounds similar of what I assume you are talking about. She is recovering, but the process has been painful, even for myself as a standby.
    Last weekend I attended an Insight Meditation (Vipassana) retreat. We received this teaching:
    THE FIVE REMEMBRANCES...
    -I am of a nature to grow Old. I cannot escape growing old.
    -I am of the nature to have ill health. I cannot escape having ill health.
    -I am of the nature to die. There is no way to escape death.
    -All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. There is no way to escape
    being separated from them.
    -My actions are my only true belongings. I cannot escape the consequences of my actions. My
    actions are the ground on which I stand.
    The woman who taught the retreat has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. She was given 18 months to live 7 years ago. Did "giving" prolong her life?

    posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    leegee 

    Simona asked:

    "...you have something...someone comes and takes it away...by force...how can you give something ...when it is not yours anymore?"

    That you consider it "taken" indicates you still consider it your possession, thus it is yours to give, to release from your possession.

    "And in life there are many such things, which you lose, not necessary by other sentient beings, but simply because of karma conditions change. Even life itself. Do we give it, or it is taken from us?"

    The less you cling and grasp to objects, the less you possess, the less there is to loose.

    posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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    C2 

    "Poor fellow," he mused, "I wish I could have given him the beautiful moon."

    posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

  • 

    leegee 

    Bingo!
    Sensei! :¬)

    posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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  SimonaP 

  I belive so, yes.

  posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

  show 1 reply

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    C2 

    Thanks, SiimonaP! Truly it was a blessing and an honor to be in her presence.

    YouTube - Buddhist Meditation (10) Impermanence
    dhammatube

    posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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  SimonaP 

  Thanks C2 :) and Lee ;)
  I watched the YouTube link you proposed - excellent!

  posted 5 months ago. ( reply )

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  C2 

  The hostile multitudes are vast as space. What chance is there that all should be subdued?
  Let but this angry mind be overthrown. And every foe is then and there destroyed. ~Shantideva

  posted 4 weeks ago. ( reply )

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