Kick Shantideva out!
Master Shantideva the peaceful one
Shantideva was a Buddhist scholar, monk and philosopher, who lived between the 7th century and the 8th century. He is considered one of the 84 Mahasiddhas. Born a wealthy prince, Shantideva turned his back on the material world the night before he was to be crowned king. This extraordinary transformation blossomed from the teachings and advice of Manjushri. In line with those teachings, Shantideva became a monk at the prestigious Nalanda Monastic University.
Manjushri was the special personal deity of Shantideva. He placed all his trust in Manjushri. He diligently practiced Manjushri’s worship and meditation secretly.
Shantideva was not well liked at Nalanda Monastic University. The monks resented the fact they did not see him studying nor participating in the curriculum. They found him to be a disgrace to the good name of their university and they called him names behind his back. Manjushri came to his rescue!
Apparently he was one of those people who didn’t show up for anything, never studying or coming to practice sessions. His fellow monks said that his three “realizations” were eating, sleeping, and shitting.
After being goaded into giving a talk to the entire university body in order to humiliate him and therefore get him expelled from the prestigious Nalanda Monastic University, Shantideva delivered “The Way of the Bodhisattva” to the assembly. Not only was his delivery erudite showing him to be very learned to the surprise of his detractors but the way he delivered the last chapter brought the house down! This is one of the all time favorite and well known saints of Buddhism. His story is a must read. His life will touch you, make you feel empowered, entertained and also inspired. A timeless classic.
Shantideva: The Misunderstood Scholar and Mahasiddha- https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/?p=174749
It would be useful to acquire this book by Shantideva. A necessary study for every serious student of Tibetan Buddhism. It has been beautifully translated into English.
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Shantideva’s Dedication Prayer
From The Bodhicharyavatara
Shantideva’s Dedication Prayer
The following is one of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama’s favourite dedications, extracted from Chapter 10 of the Bodhicharyavatara of Master Shantideva.
May all beings everywhere
Plagued by sufferings of body and mind,
Obtain an ocean of happiness and joy
By virtue of my merits.
May no living creature suffer,
Commit evil or ever fall ill.
May no one be afraid or belittled,
With a mind weighed down by depression.
May the blind see forms
And the deaf hear sounds.
May those whose bodies are worn with toil,
Be restored on finding repose.
May the naked find clothing
The hungry find food
May the thirsty find water
And delicious drinks.
May the poor find wealth,
Those weak with sorrow find joy;
May the hopeless find hope,
Constant happiness and prosperity.
May there be timely rains
And bountiful harvests;
May all the medicines be effective
And wholesome prayers bear fruit.
May all who are sick and ill
Quickly be freed from their ailments.
Whatever diseases there are in the world,
May they never occur again.
May the frightened cease to be afraid
And those bound be freed;
May the powerless find power
And the people think of benefiting each other.
For as long as space remains,
For as long as sentient beings remain,
Until then may I too remain
To dispel the miseries of the world.
Shantideva, the eighth-century Indian saint and scholar , was a prince who became a monk and studied in the legendary Nalanda university. He was always very devoted to Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. The people in Nalanda Monastic University tried to expel him as they thought he was a disgrace to them due his laziness been doing nothing. When the time came for him to give the teaching, he supressed every one by reciting ‘’The Way of the Bodhisattva” from his mind.
Thank you Rinpoche for this inspiring read.