Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: Chapter 3; Full Acceptance of the Awakening Mind

Shantideva’s Bodhisattvacharyavatara is among the most beloved and inspiring works in the Mahayana tradition. Gelek Rinpoche’s oral explanations of each verse provide us with the key to unlock this hidden treasure that reveals how Bodhisattvas deal with their lives, and how we can learn to do the same. Chapter Three first completes the preliminaries through the generation of bodhimind, the altruistic aspiration to become a fully enlightened being in order to help others, then explains how to take Bodhisattva vows and what to do thereafter.

Born in Lhasa, Tibet in 1939, bestselling author and internationally reknowned Tibetan Lama Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche brings his traditional Buddhist training into strong dialogue with science, psychology, medicine, metaphysics, politics and the arts; he skillfully addresses the dilemma of living a spiritual life in a material world. His collected works now include over 30 transcripts of his teachings, numerous articles, as well as the national bestseller, Good Life, Good Death (Riverhead Books, 2001) and The Tara Box: Rituals for Protection and Healing from the Female Buddha (New World Library, 2004). Rimpoche is a U.S. citizen and lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In 1988, Rimpoche founded Jewel Heart, a Tibetan Buddhist Center with chapters in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Jewel Heart offers a multi-layered program for spiritual development, including weekly webcasts, annual retreats, and special events. The organization also supports senior lamas and the training of young monks, a children’s school and orphanage, and Buddhist performing arts tours.

Gelek Rimpoche has consistently shown resiliency and flexibility of character and sound understanding of selflessness. He can be an elegant lama in a formal setting…a wise advisor in another setting..a loyal and creative colleague in the endless work of seeing to the continuing usefulness of the Dharma.
--Robert A.F. Thurman

Gelek Rimpoche’s mix of astute psychological insight, extraordinary intellect, and great compassion—plus delightful wit—makes him a wonderful, wise spiritual friend and guide.
--Daniel Goleman

Gelek Rimpoche constantly shows wisdom, gentleness, depth, rascality, humor, spaciousness, and the spiritual side to everyday life.
--Ram Dass