Bodhisattva practice

The Bodhisattvacharyavatara, or "The Practice of the Bodhisattva," is a fundamental work of Mahayana Buddhism composed by Shantideva in the 8th century. This poetic text describes the path of the bodhisattva, a being who renounces individual liberation to dedicate himself to the liberation of all sentient beings. The work begins by praising the mind of Enlightenment and explains its cultivation, addressing transcendental perfections such as patience, diligence, meditation, and wisdom. It includes profound teachings on the practice of equalizing and exchanging oneself for others, culminating with an important chapter on emptiness according to the Madhyamaka tradition. Translated into Tibetan shortly after its composition, the text remains actively studied and practiced throughout Buddhist traditions.