Shantideva’s “Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds”

May I be a protector for those who are without protectors,
a guide for travelers, and a boat, a bridge,
and a ship for those who wish to cross over.

May I be a lamp for those who seek light,
a bed for those who seek rest,
and may I be a servant for all beings who desire a servant.

— Chapter Three, Verses 17-18, Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds

Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds, written by Shantideva in the 8th century, is credited by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as having the greatest influence of any teaching on his development of bodhicitta. At Sravasti Abbey, this text is read aloud every year on Christmas Day.

Teachings highlighted in bold are listed at the bottom of the page.

Who it's for

Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds is a text that lends itself to study by new and seasoned Dharma practitioners alike. It covers all the practices necessary to progress on the path to full awakening in an easy-to-read format with stark imagery and reasonings to inspire and transform the mind.

About Shantideva

Venerable Thubten Chodron gave two extensive commentaries on mind and awareness.

The first set of teachings was a commentary on Geshe Jampel Sampel’s text Presentation of Mind and Awareness, Composite of All the Important Points, Opener of the Eye of New Intelligence: A Presentation of Mind and Awareness (2012-13).

This series covers topics such as:

• Divisions of the selfless
• Classification of objects
• Object possessors and the seven types of cognizers

Separately, Venerable Chodron taught extensively on mind and mental factors, the sautantrika tenet system presentation of the mind and its functions: Mind and Mental Factors (Teachings 1995-96)

This 25-part series includes topics such as:

• Primary minds and mental factors
• Omnipresent mental factors
• Virtuous mental factors
• Afflictive mental factors
• Mind training
• Antidotes to the afflictions

Venerable Chodron also taught a more concise (4-part) presentation of mind and mental factors at a retreat in Singapore: Creating the Causes of Happiness Retreat (Singapore 2014).

An outline of the 51 mental factors and their definitions can be accessed here.

In 2019, Venerable Sangye Khadro gave an overview of mind and awareness during the weekly Thursday evening Course in Buddhist Reasoning and Debate (2017-19).  Her teachings from this longer series can be accessed at:

• Seven Kinds of Awareness with Venerable Sangye Khadro (2019)
• Mind and Mental Factors with Venerable Sangye Khadro (2019).

Teachings

Audio recordings from Venerable Thubten Chodron’s in-depth commentary to the text, given from 2004–06: Wheel of Sharp Weapons (2004–06).

Audios from a shorter 12-part commentary by Venerable Chodron, given in 2004: Wheel of Sharp Weapons Retreat (Castle Rock 2004).

Two short retreats focused on the text: Wheel of Sharp Weapons Retreat (Missoula 2013), and Wheel of Sharp Weapons Retreat (Australia 2014).

Venerable Chodron recently published a commentary to The Wheel of Sharp Weapons as Good Karma: How to Create the Causes of Happiness and Avoid the Causes of Suffering. Since 2021, she has been giving commentary on this book as part of the annual Memorial Day Retreat at Sravasti Abbey: Good Karma (2021–present)

Access information about this book and various teachings Venerable Chodron has given from it here: Good Karma: How to Create the Causes of Happiness and Avoid the Causes of Suffering.

In 2009,  Geshe Lhundup Sopa (1923–2014) gave a series of teachings on Chapter 6, which explains  how to work with anger: Shantideva Teachings with Geshe Lhundup Sopa (2009).

Venerable Thubten Chodron has offered the following teachings on Shantideva’s text.

• Thursday morning teachings, which are streamed live from Sravasti Abbey: Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds (2020-present)

• Annual teachings on Shantideva’s text organized by Pureland Marketing in Singapore: Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds (Singapore 2006-Present)

• Teachings on Chapter 6 given in Mexico in April 2015: Working with Anger and Developing Fortitude (Mexico 2015)

If there is a remedy, then what is the use of frustration?
If there is no remedy, then what is the use of frustration?

There is nothing whatsoever that remains difficult as one gets used to it.
Thus, through habituation with slight pain, even great pain becomes bearable.

— Chapter Six, Verses 10 & 14, Engaging in the Bodhisattva’s Deeds