The Bodhicaryavatara (Oxford World’s Classics) 1st Edition by Santideva (PDF)

Description

Written in India in the early 8th century AD, ‘S=antideva’s Bodhicary=avat=ara addresses the profound desire to become a Buddha and rescue all beings from suffering. The person who acts upon such a desire is a Bodhisattva. ‘S=antideva not only makes plain what the Bodhisattva must do and become, he also invokes the powerful feelings of aspiration that underlie such a commitment, employing language which has inspired Buddists ever since it first appeared. Indeed, his book has long been regarded as one of the most popular accounts of the Buddhist’s spiritual path. Important as a manual of training among Mah=ay=ana Buddhists, especially in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, this text continues to be used as the basis for teaching by modern Buddhist teachers. This new translation from the original language provides detailed annotations explaining allusions and technical references. Also, the Introduction both serve to locate ‘S=antideva’s work in its proper context, andfor the first time explain its structure.About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World’s Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford’s commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: About the Author Kate Crosby is Tutor in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Pali at Oxford University. Andrew Skilton a Junior Research Fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford, and a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society. Paul Williams is Codirector of the Centre for Buddhist Studies at the University of Bristol.

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐While I have read quite a bit of spiritual books, the concept of a Bohdisattva was of particular interest to me. I purchased this book along with the Vesna & B. Alan Wallace version. I started with the Wallace one but was a bit put off with the way the poem was presented. It was a bit too conversational and not too poetic in the language used (but well done none the less). SO, I put that down and gave this one a try and was pleased with the depth of preface given to the poem. It not only tells you a bit about the author, but more importantly it points out other translations that exist and their differences and contradictions in structure.Another helpful feature for those interested in more than just saying that you have read the Bodhicaryavatara is the section explaining the pronunciations of the special letters used throughout the book. This gave the reader more than just words, it actually helps one to better understand and pronounce the original Sanskrit words.Like any great book, you can’t just read it once! When I reached the end of the poem I found the extensive notes that go with each chapter. Although the introduction clearly explains that these notes are there, I was too eager to get on with the show to research it first. Now, I am re-reading the book, or better said, studying the poem with the intention to better understand the Bodhicaryavatara.I recommend this book for anyone who is truly interested in having an in-depth understanding of this part of Mahayana Buddhist poetry. The practice of compassion in todays world is quite challenging, this book lets the reader know that it was just as challenging 13 centuries ago.

⭐As a longtime student of Sanskrit and Tibetan, and having compared at length the eight published English translations with the original Sanskrit, I can say that this one ranks at the top for accuracy and fidelity to the original Sanskrit. To judge a translation as “truly bad” on the basis of its poetic quality, without knowing the language from which it was translated, is unjust to both the translators and to the readers who will read that review.Another review here, besides finding it not as poetic, also described it as not as precise as the Padmakara one. The Padmakara translation is certainly poetic, thanks to the poetic sensibilities of the skilled translator, Wulstan Fletcher. It is also surprisingly precise, given that it is a translation of the Tibetan translation rather than of the Sanskrit original. But one cannot judge precision of translation without reference to the original Sanskrit. Here the Crosby/Skilton translation shines. I, too, may not have liked what I read at first in this translation, but when I checked the Sanskrit, there it was, just as translated.One may judge a translation on how readable it is, or on how accurate it is. The highly acclaimed Tibetan translations of Buddhist texts from Sanskrit always took accuracy over readability, and certainly over poetic quality. The poetic translations may be more inspiring, which is valuable, but if you want to know more accurately what Santideva says in this text, this translation is the one.

⭐Growing up in the West, I’d been exposed to Buddhism, more or less, through images of monks meditating and statues of Buddha, but I knew almost nothing about Buddhist beliefs. I admit that I was put off by the focus on suffering in the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, but I’m beginning to discover that ‘Desire leads to suffering’ is not that same as ‘don’t want anything’.I think the chapters on the Perfection of Vigour and the Perfection of Forbearance are fantastic, and the final prayer in chapter 10 holds a benevolent subtext which I hope can exist in life. The chapter on the Perfection of Understanding is difficult, and was completely unexpected since it read more like a philosophy text than a religious one.That sense of benevolence is present in most of the book, and most of this book’s appeal is that it feels less like admonishment for doing wrong which I find in most Western religious texts than advice on how to improve with explanations of how those improvements will benefit the world and yourself. Whether that’s true in Buddhist practice, I can’t say. My own experience with Western religions tells me that there can be quite a difference between the stated beliefs and actual practice.I notice that many of the other reviews focus on the translation which makes me feel like I’m way behind the curve since this is my first read of this book in any translation. Whether the translation is accurate or not is beyond me. I thought the text was clear, and there’s a passion in the writing which was present in almost every word.

⭐This book is about the Buddhist path to enlightenment, but contains many things applicable to improving anyone’s life. It deals a lot with human suffering, and the need for people to help remove the suffering of others, as through this one’s own life may be improved.Although it is presented from a Buddhist perspective, much of the teaching is a good guide to self development, the principles that it teaches are hard to fault, and it remains centered on these things throughout the book.The commentary deals with the Buddhist philosphies that Santideva uses, and explains the Buddhist principles involved, rather than explaining the teachings.It gets pretty involved, but you can take quite a lot out of it.”When the mental attitude of anger is slain, then slain is every enemy”……

⭐Essential for someone striving to be compassionate and kind to the world.

⭐Like Cliff notes except has the actual text as well. Explains a section then provides a section of the work. The editors and translators present this classic in a way Westerners can understand without being intimating. It’s all about THe Awakened MInd. I love that phrase.

⭐This book came very quickly in the mail and it was very affordable compared to the college bookstore price. I would recommend this book to all future students. I ended up keeping mine because it was a very good book.

⭐Best translation and notes for academic purposes. Arguably the most important work for understanding Buddhist ethics!

⭐Most western readers will find some sections of the Bodhicaryavatara difficult on first approach to the text itself. This edition provides a very useful introduction to readers who are inclined to overcome the apparent barriers.

⭐Illogical in many places.

⭐Very happy with purchase and condition.

⭐This is, to my mind, a fine rendering of Shantideva’s eighth century classic “The Bodhicaryavatara” (translated from the Sanskrit). In addition to the translation itself, this work includes a useful general introduction by Paul Williams and helpful introductions to each chapter.I also recommend

⭐The Way of the Bodhisattva (Shambhala Classics)

⭐which is another fine version, this time taken from the Tibetan. This work also includes a fine introduction and several helpful appendices. Also available is

⭐A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life

⭐, translated by V A Wallace and B Allan Wallace. This edition, also taken from the Sanskrit, includes the Tibetan variations as well.

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