shantideva space
  • blog
  • Prayers
  • About
  • Contact

To Cover all the Earth

1/12/2019

 
Picture

To cover all the earth with sheets of leather -
Where could such amounts of skin be found?
But with the leather soles of just my shoes
It is as though I cover all the earth!

And thus the outer course of things
I myself cannot restrain.
But let me just restrain my mind,
And what is left to be restrained?

All those who fail to understand
The secret of the mind, the greatest of all things,
Although they wish for joy and sorrow's end,
Will wander to no purpose, uselessly.

Therefore I will take in hand
And well protect this mind of mine.
What use to me are many disciplines,
If I can't guard and discipline my mind?

​
Shantideva
The Way of the Bodhisattva ("Bodhicharyavatara")
Chapter 5, Vigilant Introspection
verses 13 - 14, 17- 18.
Shambhala Classics Edition
Padmakara Translation Group

Comments are closed.

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


The goal of every act is happiness itself,
Though, even with great wealth, it’s rarely found.
So take your pleasure in the excellence of others.
Let them be a heartfelt joy to you.
​
                                                 ​- Shantideva 

Contact ME

    Mailing LiST!

Click!
  • blog
  • Prayers
  • About
  • Contact