Buddhadharma: The Practitioner's Quarterly

uddhadharma offers in-depth teachings that reflect the wealth and range of Buddhist traditions, expert book reviews, and first-rate reporting on stories of special interest to Buddhists. It’s a precious resource for readers who want to deepen their understanding of Buddhist practice and philosophy.

Buddhadharma

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The View from This Shore

ASK THE TEACHERS • When facing difficult decisions, I like to ask myself, What would the Buddha do? As an exercise, I think it helps me to be more compassionate, but I also know I’m just guessing. Is there any way I can know what the Buddha would do in my situation?

Invoking Bodhicitta • THE EIGHTH-CENTURY scholar– monk Shantideva, in his seminal text Bodhisattvacaryavatara, outlined the bodhisattva path, inspiring generations of practitioners. He makes clear that the shape of that path, that training, is determined by the paramitas but that our ability to walk it rests on our intention: bodhicitta, the state of mind of the bodhisattva, the clarity that one will never give up on any being. In this new translation from Shantideva’s chapter on “Embracing Bodhicitta,” we hear the poetry and depth of his vow: “May I always be the ground”—an “inexhaustible treasure,” a “wish-fulfilling jewel”—“supporting in many ways the lives of sentient beings.” This mindset of total dedication is our foundation; establishing it is our most critical step. —Koun Franz

First, an Open Hand

Compassion Without Calculation

Lean in to the Suffering

No Separate Thing

10 Steps to Tame the Elephant

The Freedom of Emptiness

Can We Know Others’ Worlds? • CONSTANCE KASSOR

BOOK BRIEFS

BUDDHIST DIRECTORY

TURNING WORD