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The Way of the Bodhisattva
The Way of the Bodhisattva L31
We spend our lives acting as anxious guardians of our bodies, our possessions, and our reputation, only to be forced to surrender them all at the moment of death. This session challenges this instinct by proposing a radical psychological shift: what if we relinquished ownership before we lose it? Through the lens of the "Bodhicharyavatara," we explore the art of unconditional generosity—not merely as charity, but as a method to sever the root of fear. From the story of the philosopher Nagarjuna breaking a cherished jar to see the truth, to a Tibetan master at Yale quoting the Bible on "turning the other cheek," the discussion navigates the tension between protecting oneself and serving others. It reveals that true freedom lies not in what we hold, but in realizing that we are merely stewards of a body that belongs to the world.
"The Way of the Bodhisattva" is one of the most highly recommended texts of Khenpo Sodargye’s lifetime. He once said that among all the treatises he has translated and taught, this is the one that everyone should study thoroughly at least once. For those with faith, it guides the mind deeply into Buddhist principles and inspires a broad awakening of Bodhicitta. Even for those without faith, studying it can help reduce anger, stress, and suffering. If studied systematically from beginning to end, this text becomes a lifelong source of spiritual benefit. This course, taught by Khenpo Sodargye in 2006, consists of 201 lessons and carefully guides practitioners to cultivate Bodhicitta and enter the Bodhisattva path, using the clearest, most practical, and systematic approach to help students advance to higher dimensions of life and mind.