This is one of H.H. the Dalai Lama’s favourite prayers, extracted from “A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life” by Shantideva, a Buddhist master from the monastic university of Nalanda, India and composed in the eighth century of the Christian era. May all beings everywhere Plagued by sufferings of body and mind Obtain an […]
]]>Whenever I catch sight of others,
By thinking, “It is through them,
That I will reach awakening,”
I’ll look with sincerity and love.
Shantideva
One should do nothing other than what is directly or indirectly of benefit to living beings.
Shantideva
]]>The total amount of happiness
That exists in the world has come from
Wanting to make others happy.
The total amount of suffering
That exists in the world has come from
Wanting to make yourself happy.
Shantideva
For as long as space exists
And sentient beings endure,
May I too remain,
To dispel the misery of the world.
Shantideva
]]>Whatever joy there is in this world
All comes from desiring others to be happy,
And whatever suffering there is in this world
All comes from desiring myself to be happy.
Shantideva
We who are like senseless children shrink from suffering, but love its causes. We hurt ourselves; our pain is self-inflicted! Why should others be the object of our anger?
Shāntideva