Shantideva Quotes

Thus today in the presence of all awakened Ones I invite every living being to this festival Giving both immediate and lasting joy. May the gods and all others rejoice.

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

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

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.

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

Just as a blind man might find a jewel amongst heaps of rubbish, so this Spirit of Awakening has somehow arisen in me.

When one intends to move or when one intends to speak, one should first examine one’s own mind and then act appropriately with composure. When one sees one’s mind to be attached or repulsed, then one should neither act nor speak, but remain still like a piece of wood. When my mind is haughty, sarcastic, full of conceit and arrogance, ridiculing, evasive and deceitful, when it is inclined to boast, or when it is contemptuous of others, abusive, and irritable, then I should remain still like a piece of wood. When my mind is averse to the interests of others and seeks my own self-interest, or when it wishes to speak out of a desire for an audience, then I will remain still like a piece of wood. When it is impatient, indolent, timid, impudent, garrulous, or biased in my own favor, then I will remain still like a piece of wood.

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?

In the ocean-like virtue of the Bodhimind That brings joy to all beings And in accomplishing the well-being of others, I lift up my heart and rejoice.

As long as diseases afflict living beings May I be the doctor, the medicine And also the nurse Who restores them to health.

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

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.

May I fall as rain to increase The harvests that must feed living beings And in ages of dire famine May I myself serve as food and drink.

They who out of wisdom Have seized the supreme Bodhimind Praise, glorify and rejoice in it, That it may grow to fulfilment.

May I act as the mighty earth Or like the free and open skies To support and provide the space Whereby I and all others may grow.