A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life by Shantideva [14]

With it, I have all that's needed to attain enlightenment,
And without it, there's no way to find awakening,
The indisputable seed from which buddhahood is gained,
May I generate bodhicitta, utterly pure and supreme!

—Quote from the “Aspiration to Generate Bodhicitta, Utterly Pure and Supreme” by Patrül Rinpoché

Khenpo Sherab Sangpo, a professor of Tibetan Buddhism in the Nyingma Lineage (bodhicittasangha.org), offered teachings on "A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life" by Shantideva. This text provides profound guidance on how to train the mind in generating bodhicitta and practicing the six pāramitās of generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditative concentration, and the wisdom of emptiness (śūnyatā). The first five transcendent perfections correspond to the accumulation of the merit of skillful means (compassion) and the sixth to the accumulation of wisdom. These trainings in cultivating bodhicitta and the six pāramitās are the heart practices of the bodhisattvas on the Mahāyāna path of enlightenment.

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These are the six verses that Khenpo Sherab Sangpo taught on May 4, 2024, from the second chapter of "A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life" by Shantideva:

Chapter 2, Verse 20
In addition, may a mass of offerings
endowed with the sweet and pleasing melodies of musical instruments,
each remain as clouds of offerings
to eliminate the sufferings of living beings.

Chapter 2, Verse 21
May rains of precious gems and flowers
shower down in an unceasing stream
upon all the jewels of the holy Dharma—
the sacred monuments and statues.

Chapter 2, Verse 22
Just as Mañjughoṣa and the rest
made offerings to all the buddhas;
likewise I make offerings to the Tathāgatas
and all their bodhisattva heirs.

Chapter 2, Verse 23
I praise these oceans of qualities
with oceans of melodies praise.
May these pleasing clouds of melodious praise
constantly ascend to their presence.

Chapter 2, Verse 24
To all the buddhas of the three times,
to the dharma, and to the supreme assembly,
bowing down with bodies as numerous
as all the atoms within the universe, I prostrate.

Chapter 2, Verse 25
To the foundations of bodhicitta
and to all the stūpas, I bow down.
Likewise to the preceptors and to the gurus,
as well as to all the noble practitioners, I prostrate.