How to Be Caring: An Ancient Guide to a Compassionate Life

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers

by Shantideva, Jay L. Garfield (Translator)

A vivid new translation of selections from an inspiring guide to self-transformation through kindness by an eighth-century Buddhist monk

Written by the medieval Indian Buddhist monk Shantideva, The Bodhicaryavatara is one of the most beloved and frequently taught works in Buddhism and a favorite of the Dalai Lama. An inspiring and powerful poem that uses a gripping, first-person, confessional voice, it is the most systematic work of ethical thought in the Indo-Tibetan Buddhist tradition. And its invaluable insights, exhortations, and encouragements about how we can relieve suffering by becoming more caring and compassionate are universal. In How to Be Caring, philosopher and Buddhist scholar Jay Garfield presents a lively new translation of selected verses from Shantideva’s text that capture its powerful lessons for all of us. The result is the clearest, most concise, and most accessible introduction to this masterful Buddhist guidebook about how we can change the world by changing ourselves.

Focusing on the life of a bodhisattva, a person committed to attaining awakening for the benefit of all beings, Shantideva argues that the first step to reducing suffering and making the world better is to conquer our own psychopathologies. Urging us to remember that we won’t live forever and therefore need to think about what is most important, the work seeks to inspire us and teach us how to be more generous, thoughtful, polite, patient, committed, and self-aware. Featuring an introduction and the original Tibetan text on facing pages, this dazzling volume is filled with wisdom that still speaks directly to readers today.

169 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2025

About the author

Shantideva was an 8th-century CE Indian philosopher, Buddhist monk, poet, and scholar at the mahavihara of Nalanda. He was an adherent of the Mādhyamaka philosophy of Nāgārjuna. Abhayadatta Sri also lists Shantideva as one of the eighty-four mahasiddhas and is known as Bhusuku Pa.

Reviews

[Taylor Swift Scholar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a comprehensive or straightforward translation of Shantideva — it is Garfield’s selections, curated and with extensive commentary. I thought that I would be annoyed, but this made the text and its meaning very accessible. I loved both Shantideva’s poetry and Garfield’s explanations. I put down this book genuinely wanting to be a better person.

[Teo · Rating 5 out of 5]

2025.12.31–2025.12.31

Contents

Shantideva & Garfield JL (trans.) (2025) (01:26) How to Be Caring - An Ancient Guide to a Compassionate Life

Introduction

1. First, keep this in mind: You will not live forever!
2. Next, think about what is most important!
3. Be generous!
4. Be thoughtful!
5. Be polite!
6. Be patient!
7. Be committed!
8. Remember who you are!
9. And seal it with a promise!

Note on the translation

[Amal Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

The source of all happiness lies in thinking of others. All the joy the world contains Has come through wishing happiness for others. All the misery the world contains Has come through wanting pleasure for oneself. For a practitioner of love and compassion, an enemy is one of the most important teachers.