Shantideva

Engaging in Bodhisattva Behavior

Shantideva App

Shantideva was a great Indian Buddhist master who lived during the 8th century CE. Two of his texts survive - "Engaging in Bodhisattva Behavior" (Bodhisattvacharyavatara) and the "Compendium of Trainings" (Shikshasamuccaya). Both texts are still used to the present day by and especially "Engaging in Bodhisattva Behavior" is one of the most cherished and most frequently taught texts in the Tibetan tradition.

This App displays one verse a day from Shantideva's text "Engaging in Bodhisattva Behavior" (Bodhisattvacharyavatara) and allows to read through the entire text. "Engaging in Bodhisattva Behavior" is an outstandingly practical and inspiring text that covers all the aspects of the Buddhist path.

Many thanks go to Dr. Alexander Berzin and studybuddhism.com for many of the Shantideva translations used within the app and for the support in publishing the iOS app. If you like this app, please consider making a donation to studybuddhism.com

Shantideva App by the Amitabha Hospice Project

The Amitabha Hospice project has developed another Shantideva App. This app for iOS contains the translation of Stephen Batchelor including footnotes for the translation. It is possible to select the font and font size and the entire text can be searched. If you have an iPhone or iPad then this app is greatly recommended.

Translations & Commentaries

Shantideva Translations

Commentaries on Shantideva

  • Kenpo Kunpal: Drops of Nectar (Traditional Commentary by from the Nyingma tradition; Chapters 1-5 translated by Andreas Kretschmar)
    www.kunpal.com

Further Resources

Historical Context of Shantideva's life

  • Buddha

    Buddhism starts in India

  • King Ashoka in India

    Supporter Buddhism. Sends Buddhist delegations to other kingdoms.

  • Buddhism begins to spread to Sri Lanka and Burma (Myanmar)

  • Nagarjuna

    Pioneer of the Middle-Way philosophy.

  • Buddhism begins to spread to Central Asia and China

  • Buddhism begins to spread to Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sumatra and Java

  • Asanga and Vasubandhu

    Mind-Only philosophy and influential works on Abhidharma.

  • Buddha­ghosa

    Influential Indian commentator of Theravada Buddhism.

  • Dignaga

    Buddhist System of logic and epistemology.

  • Bhavaviveka

    Combination of Middle Way philosophy with Dignaga's methods of logic.

  • Buddhism begins to spread to Tibet

    First Tibetan "Dharma-King" Songtsen Gampo

  • Dharmakirti

    Influential commentator on Dignaga's system of logic and epistemology.

  • Chandrakirti

    Commentator on Middle-Way philosophy.

  • Shantideva


    Author of Engaging in Bodhisattva Behavior.
    Monk at Nalanda monastery in Northern India.

  • Shanta­rakshita, Kamala­shila and Hari­bhadra

    Strong influence on transmission of Buddhism to Tibet.
    Proponents of a combination of Middle Way and Mind-Only philosophy.

  • Beginning of second transmission of Buddhism to Tibet

    Activity of Translators like Rinchen Sangpo, Marpa, and Ngog Lotsawa Loden Sherab.

  • Atisha

    Kadam school. Strong influence on transmission of Buddhism to Tibet.

  • Destruction of monasteries Nalanda and Vikramashila in India

    Beginning of gradual decline of Buddhism in India.