The Bodhicharyavatara,or Way of the Bodhisattva, composed by the eighth-century Indian master Shantideva, has occupied an important place in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition almost from its inception. One of the great classics of Mahayana Buddhism, it describes the path of the bodhisattvas, those who vow to become enlightened in order to help all beings awaken into the state of freedom and fulfillment. It is a guide to cultivating the mind of enlightenment through generating the qualities of love, compassion, generosity, and patience.
Patrul Rinpoche, the celebrated nineteenth-century master and author of The Words of My Perfect Teacher, devoted his whole life to the practice and teachings of the Bodhicharyavatara. Although he never composed an extensive commentary on this great work, it is said that, when traveling all over the east of Tibet, he expounded it more than one hundred times, sometimes in detailed courses lasting many months. Kunzang Pelden spent most of his early life with Patrul Rinpoche and was one of his close disciples. This commentary is a compilation of the extensive notes he took during a six-month teaching given by Patrul Rinpoche at Dzogchen Monastery. It is thanks to Kunzang Pelden's labors that Patrul Rinpoche's teachings on the Bodhicharyavatara have been preserved. It could perhaps be said that The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech is the commentary that Patrul Rinpoche so often presented to students, but never actually wrote.
Nectar of Manjushri's Speech: A Detailed Commentary on Shantideva's Way of the Bodhisattva, Kunzang Pelden, Padmakara Translation Group, Shambhala Publications, Paperback, 482 Pages, $39.95
Kunzang Pelden (sometimes known as Khenpo Kunpel) was born in Tibet in 1862. Renowned for his spiritual realization, he was one of the great monk-scholars of the nonsectarian movement and was instrumental in the preservation of the oral traditions and teachings of the Nyingma school.
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Contents: The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech
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Foreword
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ix
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Translators' Introduction
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xi
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Textual Outline
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1
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Prologue
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13
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Introduction
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15
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PART ONE: The Generation of Bodhichitta Where It Has Not Previously Existed
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1. The Excellence and Benefits of Bodhichitta
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43
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2. Confession of Negativity
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65
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3. Taking Hold of Bodhichitta
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119
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PART TWO: How to Prevent Bodhichitta From Weakening Once It Has Been Generated
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4. Carefulness
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139
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5. Vigilant Introspection
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164
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6. Patience
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197
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PART THREE: How Bodhichitta Is to Be Developed and Intensified
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7. Diligence
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235
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8. Meditative Concentration
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258
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9. Wisdom
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313
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PART FOUR: Dedication of the Resulting Merit for the Benefit of Others
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10. Dedication
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393
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Notes
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443
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Works Cited
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463
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Index
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465
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