Read the summary and the most important questions on The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech A Detailed Commentary on Shantideva's Way of the Bodhisattva | 9781590304396 | Kun-bzaṅ-dpal-ldan (Mkhan-po.)

• 1 The Excellence and Benefits of Bodhicitta

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• What is the basis for the generation of bodhicitta?

  Human body

• What are the 8 unfavourable factors summarised by Nagarjuna that prevent freedom?

  To be in hell, to be a preta or a beast, To be long-lived god or else a wild barbarian, To have false views, to live in ages when a Buddha has not come, To have one's faculties impaired - all these are absences of freedom.

• What are the five personal advantages described by Nagarjuna?

  A human birth within a central land, with all one's faculties complete, Faith in the Three Jewels, and freedom from unsuited karmic circumstances.

• What are the five circumstantial advantages described by Nagarjuna?

  A Buddha has appeared and taught, The Doctrine still remains, and there are those who practice it, And who are lovingly disposed to others.

• What are the causes of the eight freedoms and ten advantages? (8 points).

  Pure ethical conduct, generosity, self-discipline, patience, perseverance, concentration, wisdom, pure aspirations.

• What are the ten innermost riches (3 actions, 4 objectives & 3 vajras)?

  3 actions = leave the fellowship of humans, seek the fellowship of dogs, obtain the fellowship of the enlightened. 4 objectives = turn your mind to the Dharma, turn your Dharma to the condition of a beggar, orient your beggarly condition toward your death, aim to die in a lonely cave. 3 vajras = no pocrastination, no need to be ashamed, take your companion as the vajra of primordial wisdom.

• What are the 3 fierce mantras?

  Whatever has to happen, let it happen! Whatever the situation, it's fine! I really don't need anything!

• What are the 6 examples showing the benefits of bodhicitta?

  1. Alchemy: bodhicitta leads to the attainment of buddhahood. 2. Jewel: bodhicitta's great worth. 3. Miraculous fruit-bearing tree: bodhicitta's root of virtue is inexhaustible and constantly increases. 4. Heroic bodyguard: bodhicitta overpowers the kind of evil that is definite. 5. Fires at the end of the kalpa: bodhicitta eradicates the kind of evil that is indefinite. 6. Further examples mentioned in other texts not the root text.

• Can you describe the example of alchemy on bodhicitta?

  Shravakas reject the impure substances of the body, however bodhisattvas adopt the body throughout countless lifetimes in order to secure the welfare of others. Bodhicitta transforms the body with unimaginable qualities of excellence, a wish-fulling jewel, protects from the drawbacks of samsara and nirvana, grants supreme perfection of the twofold aim (enlightenment of oneself & the benefit of others).

• Can you describe the example of the jewel on bodhicitta?

  Merchants who travel to an island need a skilful captain, in the same way, those who journey to the isle of liberation & omniscience rely on the Buddha. Students to be trained must do this according to the three stages of preparation, actual commitment & conclusion. They must apply constant mindfulness, vigilant introspection, carefulness, without letting go.