From Library Journal
These two volumes present perspectives on the Boddhisattva ideal, the distinguishing characteristic of Mahayana Buddhism that emphasizes the desire for enlightment as an act of altruism toward all beings. A Guide to the Boddhisattva Way of Life is a classic of Tibetan Buddhism, composed in the eighth century by a Buddhist monk. The Wallaces (a professor and a student in religious studies, Stanford Univ.) translated this work with careful attention to Tibetan and Sanskrit versions, which makes their translation unique. The main text has been re-created from the Sanskrit with attention to the Tibetan. Where the nuances in the originals differ significantly, the translation of the Tibetan version is given in the notes. The Thirty Seven Practices of Boddhisattvas is a transcription of an oral teaching by a Buddhist scholar and teacher. The text on which the teaching is given is a set of verses written in the 14th century by a Tibetan Buddhist monk. Like the first title, this work seeks to elucidate the day-to-day practice of the Boddhisattva. The original verses are short and fairly clear, and the commentary by Rinchen makes the meaning and the demanding character of the Boddhisattva ideal realistic for the contemporary reader. The two titles offer insight upon insight as to the way a life should be lead. Rinchen's is perhaps the more accessible to general readers. For the price, any library with an interest in Buddhism would do well to acquire both.?Mark Woodhouse, Elmira Coll. Lib., N.Y.Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
Offers insight upon insight as to the way a life should be led.Library Journal


Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Tibetan

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Composed in the eighth century by the Indian Bodhisattva, Shantideva, A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life is an outstanding presentation of the Six Perfections, by which one may harmonize one's own life with the Bodhisattva ideal. It became an instant classic in the curricula of the Buddhist monastic universities of India, and its renown has grown ever since. There were one hundred commentaries on the Guide in India, eight of which were translated into Tibetan.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

One of the most distinctive traits of Tibetan Buddhism is its embrace of the noble path of the bodhisattva, an enlightened one who refuses union with the bliss of nirvana until all sentient beings have achieved enlightenment. Consequently, in these writings, Santideva teaches the cultivation of the six perfections of the bodhisattva way of life-generosity, ethics, patience, zeal, meditative concentration and wisdom. Few texts are as central to Tibetan Buddhism as the Bodhicaryavatara, for it is the primary source of most of the Tibetan Buddhist literature on the cultivation of altruism and the Spirit of Awakening. The two translators of this new edition bring enormous skill and sensitivity to the complex process of delivering this text from its original Sanskrit and the canonical Tibetan translation into modern English. Their use of both the Sanskrit and the Tibetan commentaries on the Bodhicaryavatara ensures that this new translation is a faithful representation of Santideva's teachings. The Wallace and Wallace edition will thus stand for many years as the standard English translation of this key Tibetan Buddhist text. (Apr.)

Library Journal