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Commentary on Chapter 8 of Shantideva's Bodhicaryavatara

By His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Bloomington, Indiana, USA 1999

His Holiness the Dalai Lama presented these teachings in Bloomington, Indiana from August 20-23, 1999. The teachings are a commentary on Chapter 8—the chapter titled "Meditation"—of the great master Shantideva's book Bodhicaryavatara (A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life).

Bodhicaryavatara Commentary: Index of Teachings

The transcript of these teachings is available for download as a pdf file. 

Note from the transcriber 

Transcribed and typed by Phillip Lecso from audiotapes obtained from the Tibetan Cultural Center entitled The Kalachakra Preliminary Teachings. I take full responsibility for all mistakes that have occurred, through hearing and writing incorrectly what was taught, for these I apologize.

May all be auspicious. May any merit from this activity go to the long life and good health of His Holiness.

May all sentient beings quickly attain the state of the Glorious Kalachakra even through these imperfect efforts. 

Section One
  • August 20th, morning session 
Section Two
  • August 20th, afternoon session
  •  Question and Answer 
Section Three
  • August 21st, morning session
  • Verses 1–4 
  • Question and Answer 
Section Four
  • August 21st, afternoon session 
  • Verses 5–38 
  • Question and Answer 
Section Five
  • August 22nd, morning session 
  • Ceremony of generating bodhicitta 
  • Bodhisattva vows ceremony 
  • Verses 39–79
Section Six
  • August 22nd, afternoon session 
  • Question and Answer 
  • Verses 90–187 (end)