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Shantideva: A Bodhisattva’s Way of Life - Teachings by Lhoppon Rechungpa

The recordings below are teachings on ‘A Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ by Shantideva. Shantideva was born a prince in South India, but gave it up to become a monk at Nalanda monastary in North India. However, he did not have a good reputation with the other monks. All they could see him do was eat and sleep all day. Then one day, to put him on the spot, the other monks asked him to review a teaching for the entire assembly. The topic was Bodhicitta. Shantideva refused. Eventually he accepted. Shantideva was a secret practitioner. So when he started reciting, to the amazement of everybody, he started to levitate. His body disappeared and only his voice could be heard. The words Shantideva said at that time became the text we know today as Bodhicaryavatara: A Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. There are many translations of this treasure available in English. It is said that Gyalse Thogme who wrote ‘The 37 Bodhisattva Practices’ (the little book that Garchen Rinpoche always talks about), was an emanation of Shantideva. It is also said that Patrul Rinpoche who wrote ‘The Words Of My Perfect Teacher’ was also an emanation of Shantideva. Patrul Rinpoche lived the life of a vagabond, never staying in one place for any long time. He had few belongings. This text ‘A Bodhisattva’s Way of Life’ was one of his few belongings.  The teachings below were masterfully given directly in English by Lhoppon Rechungpa over a one week period at Sakya Dokho Choling in 2005. Lhoppon is the founder of Mipham Shedra and lives and practices in Boulder, Colorado.

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“After studying this book if one does not become bodhisattva, there is no other book” - Lhoppon Rechungpa.

“The whole purpose of coming to a dharma center is to learn to take responsibility for others.”

“Value for others comes from the heart, not the brain.”

“We are in bodhisattva school. Samsara is bodhisattva playground.”

- Lhoppon Rechungpa

“Description of honey is not the same as tasting honey. Sutrayana is about describing honey. Vajrayana is about tasting honey.”