Shantideva Quotes
Shantideva was an Indian Buddhist monk and philosopher of the Madhyamaka school. According to tradition, he was a prince who renounced the throne to enter the great monastic university of Nalanda, where his fellow monks considered him a do-nothing until he astonished them by delivering, in spontaneous verse, the Bodhicaryavatara, the Way of the Bodhisattva. The quotes below are attributed to Shantideva, organized by topic.
Browse Shantideva by topic
Shantideva on Freedom
-
“May I act as the mighty earth Or like the free and open skies To support and provide the space Whereby I and all others may grow.”
Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra
Shantideva on God
-
“To the Buddhas considering parinirvarna I join my hands in prayer Do not abandon the beings in sorrow But remain and teach for countless ages.”
Wikiquote
Shantideva on Happiness
-
Attributed to Shantideva:
“All happiness in the world comes from desiring the welfare of others; all suffering comes from desiring one's own welfare.”
-
“In the spiritual energy that relieves The anguish of beings in misery and Places depressed beings in eternal joy I lift up my heart and rejoice.”
Wikiquote -
“In the ocean-like virtue of the Bodhimind That brings joy to all beings And in accomplishing the well-being of others, I lift up my heart and rejoice.”
Wikiquote -
“Suffering is transcended by total surrender And the mind attains to nirvana. As one day all must be given up, Why not dedicate it now to universal happiness?”
Wikiquote -
“May all those languishing in hell come now to perfect joy. And may the stooping animals be freed From fear of being preyed upon, each other's food.”
Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra -
“Until every being afflicted by pain Has reached nirvanas shores, May I serve only as a condition That encourages progress and joy.”
Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra
Shantideva on Knowledge
-
“May no one who encounters me Ever have an insignificant contact.”
Wikiquote -
“They who out of wisdom Have seized the supreme Bodhimind Praise, glorify and rejoice in it, That it may grow to fulfilment.”
Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra
Shantideva on Life
-
“May any spiritual energy thus generated By my devotion to the enlightened ones Be dedicated to dispelling the misery Of living beings without exception.”
Wikiquote -
“As long as diseases afflict living beings May I be the doctor, the medicine And also the nurse Who restores them to health.”
Wikiquote -
“May I fall as rain to increase The harvests that must feed living beings And in ages of dire famine May I myself serve as food and drink.”
Wikiquote -
“Thus today in the presence of all awakened Ones I invite every living being to this festival Giving both immediate and lasting joy. May the gods and all others rejoice.”
Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra
Shantideva on Love
-
Attributed to Shantideva:
“By protecting others you protect yourself.”
-
Attributed to Shantideva:
“May I become a protector for those without protection, a guide for travelers on the way.”
Shantideva on Mind
-
Attributed to Shantideva:
“If a problem can be solved, what is the use of worrying? If it cannot be solved, what is the use of worrying?”
Shantideva on Time
-
“My body, every possession And all goodness, past, present and future Without remorse I dedicate To the well-being of the world.”
Wikiquote
Shantideva on Truth
-
“To the Buddhas of the ten directions I join my hands in respect Let blaze the light of Dharmas truth For the beings lost in darkness”
Wikiquote
Shantideva on Virtue
-
Attributed to Shantideva:
“Patience is the noblest of virtues.”
-
Attributed to Shantideva:
“There is nothing whatsoever that does not become easier with practice.”