Shantideva was a scholar in the eighth century from the monastic
university Nalanda, one of the most celebrated centers of learning
in ancient India. According to legend, Shantideva was greatly
inspired by the celestial bodhisattva Manjushri, from whom he
secretly received teachings and great insights. Yet as far as the
other monks could tell, there was nothing special about Shantideva.
In fact, he seemed to do nothing but eat and sleep. In an attempt
to embarrass him, the monks forced Shantideva's hand by convincing
him to publicly expound on the scriptures. To the amazement of all
in attendance that day, Shantideva delivered the original and
moving verses of theBodhicharyavatara.When he reached verse
thirty-four of the ninth chapter, he began to rise into the sky,
until he at last disappeared. Following this, Shantideva became a
great teacher.
B. Alan Wallace has authored, translated, edited, and contributed
to more than forty books on Tibetan Buddhism, science, and culture.
With fourteen years as a Buddhist monk, he earned a BA in physics
and the philosophy of science and then a PhD in religious studies.
After teaching in the Department of Religious Studies at the
University of California, Santa Barbara, he founded the Santa
Barbara Institute for Consciousness Studies to explore the
integration of scientific approaches and contemplative methods.
"Will stand for many years as the standard English translation of
this key Tibetan Buddhist text."—Publishers Weekly
"The Wallaces have produced a concise, literal, and elegant
translation. The extant Sanskrit edition frequently differs from
the one used in Tibet a millennium ago, and the Wallaces have noted
these differences in copious footnotes. These features make their
translation both highly readable and an excellent source for
scholars of the original languages."—Tricycle
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