Shantideva Quotes

Like a blind man fumbling in garbage Happens to find a rare and precious gem, Likewise I have discovered The jewel of the precious Bodhimind. Thus was found this supreme ambrosia to dispel The Lord of death, destroyer of life; An inexhaustible treasure able to cure The poverty of all sentient beings.

Let those who falsely accuse me, who harm me, and who ridicule me all partake of Awakening.

May all those languishing in hell come now to perfect joy.
And may the stooping animals be freed
From fear of being preyed upon, each other's food.

Where would there be leather enough to cover the entire world? With just the leather of my sandals, it is as if the whole world were covered. Likewise, I am unable to restrain external phenomena, but I shall restrain my own mind. What need is there to restrain anything else?

Regardless whether those whom I meet Respond towards me with anger or faith, May the mere fact of our meeting Contribute to the fulfilment of their wishes.

To the Buddhas of the ten directions I join my hands in respect Let blaze the light of Dharmas truth For the beings lost in darkness

To the Buddhas considering parinirvarna I join my hands in prayer Do not abandon the beings in sorrow But remain and teach for countless ages.

Suffering is transcended by total surrender And the mind attains to nirvana. As one day all must be given up, Why not dedicate it now to universal happiness?

Until every being afflicted by pain Has reached nirvanas shores, May I serve only as a condition That encourages progress and joy.

One should eliminate yearning that arises for various idle conversations, which often take place, and for all kinds of entertainment.

Those who injure me are really impelled by my actions. For this they will go to the realms of hell. Surely it is they who are harmed by me?

For the sake of all beings I have made this body pleasureless. Let them continually beat it, revile it, and cover it with filth. Let them play with my body. Let them laugh at it and ridicule it. What does it matter to me? I have given my body to them.

Just as those standing in the midst of boisterous people carefully guard their wounds, so those standing in the midst of evil people should always guard the wounds of their minds.

Let my possessions vanish; let my honor, my body, livelihood, and everything else pass away. But may my virtuous mind never be lost.

In the spiritual energy that relieves The anguish of beings in misery and Places depressed beings in eternal joy I lift up my heart and rejoice.