Shantideva Quotes

How wonderful will it be when all beings experience each other as limbs on the one body of life. ~ Shantideva

Those who have no mental vigilance,
Though they may hear the teachings, ponder them or meditate,
With minds like water seeping from a leaking jug,
Their learning will not settle in their memories. ~ Shantideva

May I become at all times, both now and forever: a protector for those without protection; a guide for those who have lost their way; a ship for those with oceans to cross; a bridge for those with rivers to cross; a sanctuary for those in danger; a lamp for those without light; a place of refuge for those who lack shelter; and a servant to all in need. ~ Shantideva

All the happiness there is in this world Arises from wishing others to be happy. And all the suffering there is in this world Arises from wishing oneself to be happy. ~ Shantideva

May those whose hell it is to hate and hurt be turned into lovers bringing flowers. ~ Shantideva

All happiness comes from the desire for others to be happy. ~ Shantideva

It is natural for the immature to harm others.
Getting angry with them is like resenting a fire for burning. ~ Shantideva

All those who slight me to my face,
Or do me any other evil,
Even if they blame or slander me,
May they attain the fortune of enlightenment! ~ Shantideva

May the pain of every living creature be completely cleared away. May I be the doctor and the medicine and may I be the nurse for all sick beings in the world until everyone is healed. ~ Shantideva

As long as space abides and as long as the world abides, so long may I abide, destroying the sufferings of the world. ~ Shantideva

The renunciation of doing harm is the perfection of discipline ~ Shantideva

All that may be wished for, will by nature fade to nothing. ~ Shantideva

We are all in this together. Our happiness inextricably is tied to that of all beings. ~ Allan Lokos

If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good. ~ Shantideva

Death will be so quick to swoop on you; Gather merit till that moment comes! Wait till then to banish laziness? Then there'll be no time, what will you do? "This I have not done. And this I'm only starting. And this - I'm only halfway through ... " Then is the sudden coming of the Lord of Death, And oh, the thought 'Alas, I'm finished.' ~ Shantideva

May I be like a guard for those who are protectorless,
A guide for those who journey on the road.
For those who wish to go across the water,
May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge. ~ Shantideva

In joy and sorrow all are equal,
Thus be guardian of all, as of yourself. ~ Shantideva

If there were a truly existent I,
It would make sense to be afraid of certain things;
But, since there is no truly existent I,
Who is there to be afraid? ~ Shantideva

All the suffering in the world comes from seeking pleasure for oneself. All the happiness in the world comes from seeking pleasure for others. ~ Shantideva

The source of all happiness lies in thinking of others. ~ Shantideva

Why be unhappy about something if it can be remedied? And what is the use of being unhappy about something if it cannot be remedied? ~ Shantideva

Denigrating ourselves is probably the major way that we cover over bodhichitta [open heart]. Does not trying to change mean we have to remain angry and addicted until the day we die? This is a reasonable question. Trying to change ourselves doesn't work in the long run because we're resisting our own energy. Self-improvement can have temporary results, but lasting transformation occurs only when we honor ourselves as the source of wisdom and compassion. We are, as the eighth-century Buddhist master Shantideva pointed out, very much like a blind person who finds a jewel buried in a heap of garbage. Right here in what we'd like to throw away, in what we find repulsive and frightening, we discover the warmth and clarity of bodhichitta. ~ Pema Chodron

Whatever happens, I will not let my cheerfulness be disturbed. Being unhappy won't get me anywhere and will dissipate all my goodness. Why be unhappy about something if you can change it? And if you can't, how will being unhappy help? ~ Shantideva

Partake of this sacred mystery: to take the place of others, giving them his own. ~ Shantideva

Others are my main concern. When I notice something of mine, I steal it and give it to others. ~ Shantideva

Unruly beings are as unlimited as space They cannot possibly all be overcome, But if I overcome thoughts of anger alone This will be equivalent to vanquishing all foes. Where would I possibly find enough leather With which to cover the surface of the earth? But (wearing) leather just on the soles of my shoes Is equivalent to covering the earth with it. Likewise it is not possible for me To restrain the external course of things; But should I restrain this mind of mine What would be the need to restrain all else? ~ Shantideva

One of my practices comes from an ancient Indian teacher. He taught that when you experience some tragic situation, think about it. If there's no way to overcome the tragedy, then there is no use worrying too much. So I practice that. (The Dalai Lama was referring to the eighth-century Buddhist master Shantideva, who wrote, "If something can be done about the situation, what need is there for dejection? And if nothing can be done about it, what use is there for being dejected?") ~ Dalai Lama XIV

In the ages marked by scarcity and want, may I myself appear as drink and sustenance. ~ Shantideva

All the joy the world contains
Has come through wishing happiness for others.
All the misery the world contains
Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself. ~ Shantideva

The hostile multitudes are vast as spaceWhat chance is there that all should be subdued? Let but this angry mind be overthrownAnd every foe is then and there destroyed ~ Shantideva

Suffering also has its worth. Through sorrow, pride is driven out And pity felt for those who wander in samsara; Evil is avoided, goodness seems delightful. ~ Shantideva

May I be a light for those in need of light. May I be a bed for those in need of rest. May I be a servant for those in need of service, for all embodied beings. ~ Shantideva

All the harm, fear, and suffering in the world are caused by attachment to the self: Why should I hold on to this great demon? ~ Shantideva

There is no evil like hatred, and no fortitude like patience. ~ Shantideva

Passion is overcome only by him who has won through stillness of spirit the perfect vision; it comes through the contentment that is regardless of the world. ~ Shantideva

Whenever conflict arises among living creatures the sense of ownership is the cause. ~ Shantideva