And for anyone who may be unfamiliar with these terms used in the video, here are a couple of simple definitions...
Bodhicitta is Sanskrit for "Enlightened" or "Awakened Mind," and refers to the wish to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. A Bodhisattva (in most Buddhist traditions) is one who has attained Bodhicitta, but who chooses to remain earthbound to alleviate suffering and help all other beings attain enlightenment.
As long as space remains,
as long as sentient beings remain,
may I too remain
and dispel the miseries of the world.
~Shantideva (8th Century)
"Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life"
That quote by Shantideva was driving me crazy... so this morning I finally pulled out my commonplace book. I read How to Practice in October 2007, and here's the quote I wrote down from that book:
ReplyDeleteAs long as the sky exists,
And as long as there are sentient beings,
may I remain to help
relieve them of all their pain.
~Shantideva's Prayer
Different translation, I assume. I rather like the "sky" line better than the "space" but I like your last line better. :)
Quote People Unite!
Hey, rift!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were a member in good standing of QPU! LOL
A thousand pardons for having driven you crazy(er). ;-)~ But I agree with you. I think I like "sky" vs. "space" better too, and prefer the last line in "my" version. :-)
Reminds me of the variety of translations of the Tao Te Ching. 'Tis why I have several versions. (Well, that and the fact I'm also a book junkie, of course.) ;-)