Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara

By His Holiness the Dalai Lama

New York, NY 1991

In this four-day teaching on Shantideva’s Bodhicaryavatara, His Holiness the Dalai Lama offers a profound introduction to the path of compassion, bodhicitta, and the bodhisattva way of life. Given in New York City in 1991 as preliminary teachings to the Kalachakra Initiation, these teachings guide students through foundational topics including the Four Noble Truths, the generation of the mind of enlightenment, and taking the bodhisattva vows. Translated by Thupten Jinpa.

LYWA members can download the entire contents of these teachings in a PDF file.

Portrait of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. — His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Bodhicaryavatara Index Page

Note from the transcriber: Transcribed and typed by Phillip Lecso from audiotapes obtained from Buddhist Studies on Audio Cassette entitled The Path of Compassion Teachings. I take full responsibility for all mistakes that have occurred, through hearing and writing incorrectly what was taught, for these I apologize. May all be auspicious. May any merit from this activity go to the long life and good health of His Holiness. May all sentient beings quickly attain the state of the Glorious Kalacakra even through these imperfect efforts.

Note from the webmaster: While this transcript is not being posted exclusively by the Archive, it is a bit hard to find, and is being posted here as a convenience for our members to enjoy.

Day One