Shantideva's The Way of the Bodhisattva
In these five 2-hour sessions, Susan Shannon introduces us to the tools Shantideva offers in the Buddhist classic The Bodhicharyavatara or The Way of the Bodhisattva. This text is one of the most loved and referenced texts in Buddhism, and in these session you will learn why!
First Session: Introduction and Chapter 1 - "The Excellence of Bodhicitta"
In
the first session, Susan provides a history and introduction to the
text, and provides an overview of Chapter One: “The Excellence of
Bodhicitta”
Second Session: Chapter 3 – “Taking Hold of Bodhicitta”
How
do we take hold of Bodhicitta, the Awakened Heart? The focus here will
be on making everything we do, say and think be our offerings of
altruistic intention for the betterment of all sentient beings. From
this perspective, we are always engaged with living our lives through
the lens of interconnectedness. This provides a paradigm shift of “Just
Us” where we truly resonate with all of life. From this perspective we
can truly begin to serve others. Together we will explore how this
chapter is particularly appropriate for our lives today.
Third and Fourth Sessions: Chapter 6 – “Patience or Forbearance"
His
Holiness the Dalai Lama has stated that this chapter contains all the
teachings of Buddhism! This chapter presents the paramita of patience as
it extends beyond lifetimes. We learn so many more manifestations of
patience through looking with a sharp lens at some of the most
challenging situations life produces. Shantideva addresses anger,
hatred, suffering, and how to cultivate virtue when those qualities
arise. We will explore how to reframe negativity into a positive light
and be gracious, even happy, that challenges have arisen, as they give
us a chance to skillfully apply the transformational tools the dharma
provides, regardless of the outer causes and conditions. In doing so,
negativity can come to fruition into an awakened heart, embracing, even
deepening our experience of interconnection and healing.
Fifth Session: Chapter 10 – “Dedication”
In
this chapter Shantideva shows us what true dedication is, the kind of
dedication that magnifies the transformative effects of our positive
acts and virtue in order to benefit beings of every level of existence,
past, present and future. This
is a pivotal chapter. It has the potential of changing the lives of
many, many beings. In these days of more and more physical limitations,
understanding what true Dedication is from Shantideva’s perspective and
applying that to the activities of our body, speech and mind outlines
the ultimate path of personal transformation as well as application of
activism from a social justice perspective.
Whether
you are a seasoned Buddhist practitioner or simply curious, please join us in learning and applying what Shantideva teaches.
Your Instructor
Susan Shannon, M. Div. is a seeker, teacher, earth and animal steward, and devotee of the heart. She has worked in the fields of Emotional Literacy and Restorative Justice for over 20 years, incorporating over 45 years of Buddhist practice and study from the Tibetan tradition. She’s worked with various diverse populations all her life including inmates, Tibetan refugees, the homeless, the differently-abled, at-risk youth, and has served as the Buddhist Chaplain to the men in San Quentin State Prison and Death Row. She currently resides in the San Juan Islands where she writes, provides spiritual coaching and tends her land.