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Meaningful to Behold: Becoming a Friend of the World
Many people have the compassionate wish to benefit others, but few understand how to accomplish this successfully in daily life. Bodhisattvas are friends of the world, who have such strong compassion that they are able to transform all their daily activities into ways of benefiting others. The path of the Bodhisattva was exquisitely explained in the universally loved poem Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life by the 8th century master Shantideva. With this commentary, the full effectiveness and profundity of this wonderful poem are revealed in full and made applicable for our time. This practical handbook is essential for those wishing to follow a way of life characterised by greater empathy and compassion for others.
This highly acclaimed work is based on the great Indian Buddhist Master Shantideva’s famous spiritual poem Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, one of the best loved and most important Mahayana Buddhist texts, which reveals with poetic beauty and deep spiritual insight how to enter, make progress on, and complete the Buddhist path to enlightenment.
Shortly after he arrived at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in 1977, at the request of his root Spiritual Guide, Vajradhara Trijang Rinpoche, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche gave a detailed verse-by-verse commentary to Shantideva’s Guide. Teaching twice a day for over three months, Venerable Geshe-la revealed the full effectiveness and profundity of the Guide, and showed in a practical and inspiring way how in the midst of modern busy daily life we can follow the path of a Bodhisattva – someone who out of compassion dedicates his or her life to attaining enlightenment.
It is these early teachings that became Meaningful to Behold, the first of Venerable Geshe-la’s many books to be published.
"Our present situation can be understood in terms of the following analogy. If a person comes across a nugget of gold but does not recognize its rarity and worth, he may easily throw it away. At this moment we have attained a precious human life far more valuable than gold, but if we do not recognize its worth we are apt to squander it in meaningless and purposeless pursuits."
-Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
This highly acclaimed work is based on the great Indian Buddhist Master Shantideva’s famous spiritual poem Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, one of the best loved and most important Mahayana Buddhist texts, which reveals with poetic beauty and deep spiritual insight how to enter, make progress on, and complete the Buddhist path to enlightenment.
Shortly after he arrived at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in 1977, at the request of his root Spiritual Guide, Vajradhara Trijang Rinpoche, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche gave a detailed verse-by-verse commentary to Shantideva’s Guide. Teaching twice a day for over three months, Venerable Geshe-la revealed the full effectiveness and profundity of the Guide, and showed in a practical and inspiring way how in the midst of modern busy daily life we can follow the path of a Bodhisattva – someone who out of compassion dedicates his or her life to attaining enlightenment.
It is these early teachings that became Meaningful to Behold, the first of Venerable Geshe-la’s many books to be published.
"Our present situation can be understood in terms of the following analogy. If a person comes across a nugget of gold but does not recognize its rarity and worth, he may easily throw it away. At this moment we have attained a precious human life far more valuable than gold, but if we do not recognize its worth we are apt to squander it in meaningless and purposeless pursuits."
-Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
562 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1980
46 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Kelsang Gyatso
215 books222 followers*'Geshe' is a Tibetan Buddhist academic degree for monks and nuns.
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is a fully accomplished meditation Master and internationally renowned Teacher of Buddhism who has pioneered the introduction of modern Buddhism into contemporary society. Presenting Buddha’s teachings in a way that is relevant and suitable for modern people with busy lives, he shows how these teachings can be used by anyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, to solve problems, improve relationships and eventually attain a deep and lasting inner peace and happiness.
He has also created all the conditions necessary to support the study and practice of Buddhism in modern society: writing 22 highly acclaimed books that perfectly transmit the ancient wisdom of Buddha; establishing over 1,200 Kadampa Buddhist centers and groups throughout the world; developing modern study programmes; training qualified Teachers; and establishing local, national and international courses, festivals and retreats. Through all these and other activities Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is giving new life to Buddhism, enabling people everywhere to discover inner peace and happiness through Buddha’s teachings, thereby bringing greater peace to a troubled world.
The term "Rinpoche," added to Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's name, is a Tibetan word that means "Precious One," and has been added as a mark of deepest respect.
To discover more about Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche’s compassionate vision and activities visit http://tharpa.com/us/benefit-all-worl....
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is a fully accomplished meditation Master and internationally renowned Teacher of Buddhism who has pioneered the introduction of modern Buddhism into contemporary society. Presenting Buddha’s teachings in a way that is relevant and suitable for modern people with busy lives, he shows how these teachings can be used by anyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, to solve problems, improve relationships and eventually attain a deep and lasting inner peace and happiness.
He has also created all the conditions necessary to support the study and practice of Buddhism in modern society: writing 22 highly acclaimed books that perfectly transmit the ancient wisdom of Buddha; establishing over 1,200 Kadampa Buddhist centers and groups throughout the world; developing modern study programmes; training qualified Teachers; and establishing local, national and international courses, festivals and retreats. Through all these and other activities Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is giving new life to Buddhism, enabling people everywhere to discover inner peace and happiness through Buddha’s teachings, thereby bringing greater peace to a troubled world.
The term "Rinpoche," added to Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's name, is a Tibetan word that means "Precious One," and has been added as a mark of deepest respect.
To discover more about Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche’s compassionate vision and activities visit http://tharpa.com/us/benefit-all-worl....
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 21, 2014
This book is the real deal. A serious full-on study text, I think more for a training monk, but contains much that the ordinary person like myself can benefit from.
A commentary to Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. The Introduction explains the layout of the book and a brief summary of each of the ten chapters. 1. The Benefits of Bodhichitta 2. Disclosure of Evil 3. Full Acceptance of Bodhichitta 4. Conscientiousness 5. Guarding Alertness 6. Patience 7. Effort 8. Concentration 9. Wisdom 10. Dedication.
The objects of refuge. The power of reliance.
Something to think about. P.112 - "This world has no permanent residents. Of all the billions of people alive now, who will still be here in one hundred years?"
This book is a slow read, as there are so many points to think about. Another 'something to think about' is "The mental factor alertness is a type of wisdom."….."Alertness is the fruit of mindfulness and has a very close connection with it. While mindfulness holds onto its object, alertness observes if there is any wandering from that object or not"." This point alone I could think about in solitude in a cave in the wilderness.
To be perfectly honest, this book did give me monk envy, if that's not a dichotomy.
A commentary to Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. The Introduction explains the layout of the book and a brief summary of each of the ten chapters. 1. The Benefits of Bodhichitta 2. Disclosure of Evil 3. Full Acceptance of Bodhichitta 4. Conscientiousness 5. Guarding Alertness 6. Patience 7. Effort 8. Concentration 9. Wisdom 10. Dedication.
The objects of refuge. The power of reliance.
Something to think about. P.112 - "This world has no permanent residents. Of all the billions of people alive now, who will still be here in one hundred years?"
This book is a slow read, as there are so many points to think about. Another 'something to think about' is "The mental factor alertness is a type of wisdom."….."Alertness is the fruit of mindfulness and has a very close connection with it. While mindfulness holds onto its object, alertness observes if there is any wandering from that object or not"." This point alone I could think about in solitude in a cave in the wilderness.
To be perfectly honest, this book did give me monk envy, if that's not a dichotomy.
February 2, 2017
This is my absolute favorite book of all time along with Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life, which Meaningful to Behold is a commentary of. I've read this book many times over the years and each time I get something new and helpful to me at that time in my life. If you want to be more compassionate and learn to free yourself and others from suffering, read this book!
April 9, 2025
"if we do not arouse the energy to train our mind diligently, all hopes we have for happiness are in vain".
Follows along with my meditation classes so this isn't a book I would recommend to pick up in absence of a group or a class but once you do pick it up there are life truths and wisdom to gain from it.
Follows along with my meditation classes so this isn't a book I would recommend to pick up in absence of a group or a class but once you do pick it up there are life truths and wisdom to gain from it.
June 10, 2020
An excellent commentary to the Way of the Bodhisattva. Chapter 9 in particular (Wisdom) is incredible.
September 17, 2023
Heavyweight Buddhism told via kadampa way of life and a guide to the pinnacle of bhuddism books. A healthy handbook!
February 22, 2013
I'm one step closer to being a bodhisattva! It's taken a year of study, but I've gotten so much out of this book - building compassion and decreasing my own delusions. May the merit I've accumulated in studying this book benefit all living beings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews