Shantideva’s Bodhicharyavatara, a classic didactic poem and one of the most important texts of Mahayana Buddhism, comprehensively addresses the topic of enlightened consciousness. Its author, Shantideva, describes the entire Buddhist path, beginning with the cultivation of the enlightened mind (Bodhicitta) and leading through the practice of the Paramitas to complete awakening. The verses are of great poetic power, very clear and descriptive, but always connect us to the essence of the Bodhisattva path. They teach us to face problems and difficulties with courage, inner peace and qualities such as love, compassion, generosity and patience.

As the 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorfe says, this text was written in its entirety to lessen the power of Dukha – that is, frustration – and to make things easier for us.

This time, this ongoing course will focus on the ritual for generating the enlightened mind and the enlightened quality of ethics. Newcomers are welcome.

Ethics and the other paramitas develop on the basis of a practice of mindfulness and clarity of knowledge, of mental tranquility. Therefore, we will alternate our reading of Shantideva’s work with group meditation sessions.