Bodhicharyavatara – A Synopsis

Rinpoche is now continuing the course on the Bodhicharyavatara. Each session will be around 15 minutes long, and there will be a new teaching each week. Rinpoche will comment on Shantideva’s text in a direct and simple way, that enables and encourages everybody to make it meaningful in our own life and to use these teachings for the benefit of ourselves and others, both now and in the long run.

In this first video Ringu Tulku Rinpoche dedicates his teaching to everyone who has been affected in any way by the Covid 19 virus, in particular those who are tirelessly working to save lives.

Rinpoche gives an explanation of the title of the text, Bodhicharyavatara which he says originated as an impromptu talk by the 8^th century Indian saint, Shantideva.

He tells how it was subsequently translated into Tibetan, becoming a major Mahayana teaching in the Buddhist tradition. Rinpoche describes these teachings as a blueprint for the development of our innate qualities, which if followed as directed will transform our minds and generate within us the qualities of a Bodhisattva, helping ourselves and others to find freedom from suffering.

For those who want to remind themselves of the teachings given up to now they can do so in the Courses Section of the Teachings Archive.

In this talk Rinpoche also shares some anecdotal advice on helping protect ourselves from the corona virus.

You can also view the teaching on the Chapter 6 page along with the other teachings on this chapter. All previous sessions on Chapters 1-6 are available in the Courses section of the Teachings Archive.

You are welcome to leave a question for Rinpoche, relating to this teaching or any other topic, by using the comment area below. Questions will be answered in a later video. In any other issues and for technical help, please contact us at Teachings Archive.

These teachings are dedicated for all who are sick and dying of corona virus, and for all who are tirelessly working in order to help them.

Audio versions:

Rinpoche’s original recording in English:

Translations:

French:

For other translations (if available) see the main Chapter 6 page here.

Questions:

Your questions are most welcome. Archive members can log in and leave their questions for Rinpoche as a comment below. It is helpful if you can use one short paragraph and less than 80 words. Any questions longer than that may have to be edited, so please be concise.