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The Bodhicaryavatara

A Guide to the Buddhist Path to Awakening

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The Bodhicaryavatara

By: Śāntideva
Narrated by: William Hope
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Written in India in the early eighth century CE, Santideva's Bodhicaryavatara takes as its subject the profound desire to become a Buddha and save all beings from suffering. The person who enacts such a desire is a Bodhisattva.

Santideva not only sets out what the Bodhisattva must do and become; he also invokes the intense feelings of aspiration which underlie such a commitment, using language which has inspired Buddhists in their religious lives from his time to the present.

Important as a manual of training among Mahayana Buddhists, especially in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, The Bodhicaryavatara continues to be used as a basis for teaching by modern Buddhist teachers. His Holiness the Dalai Lama frequently cites passages as his highest inspiration.

In this recording, William Hope first of all reads the work in its entirety so that the listener can gain an overall perspective and emotional engagement with the text and then embarks on the 'study' section, where the translators introduce each chapter, making crucial helpful points.

Translated with introductions and notes by Kate Crosby and Andrew Skilton. With a general introduction by Paul Williams.

©1995 Kate Crosby and Andrew Skilton (P)2016 Ukemi Productions Ltd Buddhism
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Just putting this here because there are a couple of reviews that enjoyed the style of audio but I felt William Hope was a little too theatrical in his portrayal of this text. Sometimes I'd just like to hear someone read books like this rather than act them out like they are in a pulpit or a play. Thats just me though but just a heads up.

Good book, a bit over the top audio

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Great overall. However there was an issues with the various chapters being mixed up.

lovely

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Will definitely listen to this many more times. So much included that you will need glisten carefully and like me probably more than once.

well read with great passion.

Excellent

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William Hope brings the whole Dharma to life in, what is arguably, the most powerful translation of this exquisite work by Śāntideva. A truly wonderful book and a must hear for anyone, Buddhist or not.

Śāntideva at his best.

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Could be a beautiful listen if read by calm and composed voice. But this shouty, dickensian/shakeaspearen british theatre ruined it for me. Very hard to separate text from the performance. Wish I had my money back. Could not finish it

Another buddhist book ruined by theatrical performance

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