The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech: A Detailed Commentary on Shantideva's Way of the Bodhisattva

by Kunzang Pelden, Padmakara Translation Group (Translator)

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.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion, Philosophy, Nonfiction

464 pages, Hardcover

First published November 13, 2007

Reviews

[Jampa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful text! I loved it. I read this very slowly..took a little over a year. Well worth it. I carried it with me almost everywhere I went. My constant companion. Highly recommended. You will need a copy of the Bodhicharyavatara in order to read the verses. At first I thought it was odd that they did not include the verses, only the number of the verse and the commentary. I think it's a great way to force us to take our time to contemplate and reflect.

[C.]

The buddhist group I attend every week has just started a year long study of this text. Since Shantideva's text is perhaps the most important work in Mahayana buddhism, I'm looking forward to the commentary, which is said to be excellent.

[André Pais · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound, pithy, emotionally difficult at times but above all a great book. Indispensable Mahayana reading, along side with Words of my Perfect Teacher. Too bad Shantideva's root text is not included.

[Rob O'Hearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful new translation of Santideva. I thoroughly recommend this, and I've read Santideva in 6 translations so far. Wonderful. See? I've said it again.

[James Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great commentary to understanding The Way of the Bodhisattva.

[Ceci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless wisdom, practical guidance!

[Dmitriy Yepishin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing commentary on an amazing text. Lots of practical advice for living a compassionate life. Profound explorations of deepest philosophies of Buddhism.