Shantideva Quotes

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

Once I have forsaken the vow of guarding my mind, of what use are many vows to me?

The Spirit of Awakening … is the tree of rest for beings exhausted from wandering on the pathways of mundane existence.

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.

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

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.

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?

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

My body, every possession And all goodness, past, present and future Without remorse I dedicate To the well-being of the world.

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.

May the slander, harm And all forms of abuse That anyone should direct towards me Act as a cause of their enlightenment.

The Bodhimind is a great radiant sun To disperse the darkness of unknowing, And it is the very essence of butters Gained from churning the milks of Dharma. For all guests on the roads of life Who would take the very substance of joy, Here is the actual seat of true happiness, A veritable feast to satiate the world.

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?

The Spirit of Awakening is known to be of two kinds: the spirit of aspiring for Awakening, and the spirit of venturing toward awakening. Just as one perceives the difference between a person who yearns to travel and a traveler, so do the learned recognize the corresponding difference between these two.

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.