Difference between revisions of "Questions on the Bodhicharyavatara"
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*How do the ten chapters of the text relate to the [[six paramitas]]? | *How do the ten chapters of the text relate to the [[six paramitas]]? | ||
| − | ==Chapter 1== | + | ==[[Chapter]] 1== |
| − | *Give the general structure for the first chapter. | + | *Give the general {{Wiki|structure}} for the first [[chapter]]. |
| − | *What is the {{Wiki|purpose}} of this chapter? | + | *What is the {{Wiki|purpose}} of this [[chapter]]? |
*Why is [[Bodhichitta]] {{Wiki|superior}} to all other [[virtues]]? | *Why is [[Bodhichitta]] {{Wiki|superior}} to all other [[virtues]]? | ||
*What happens to our [[Wikipedia:Identity (social science)|identity]] when we give rise to [[Bodhichitta]]? | *What happens to our [[Wikipedia:Identity (social science)|identity]] when we give rise to [[Bodhichitta]]? | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
*What is the point of {{Wiki|reflecting}} on the benefits of [[bodhichitta]]? | *What is the point of {{Wiki|reflecting}} on the benefits of [[bodhichitta]]? | ||
| − | ==Chapter 2== | + | ==[[Chapter]] 2== |
| − | *What are the four main topics of chapter 2? And how do they support the generation of [[Bodhichitta]]? | + | *What are the four main topics of [[chapter]] 2? And how do they support the generation of [[Bodhichitta]]? |
*Why is it important to make [[offerings]] in this context? | *Why is it important to make [[offerings]] in this context? | ||
*To make the very best of [[offerings]] they should be made with the three purities. What are they? | *To make the very best of [[offerings]] they should be made with the three purities. What are they? | ||
| − | *How is it possible for us to offer things that we do not own? | + | *How is it possible for us to offer things that we do not [[own]]? |
*What are the different types of [[offering]] made by [[Shantideva]]? | *What are the different types of [[offering]] made by [[Shantideva]]? | ||
*Why does [[refuge]] come at this point in the text? | *Why does [[refuge]] come at this point in the text? | ||
| Line 32: | Line 32: | ||
*Why is it necessary to confess our faults swiftly? | *Why is it necessary to confess our faults swiftly? | ||
| − | ==Chapter 3== | + | ==[[Chapter]] 3== |
*What are the [[eight branches]] for accumulating [[merit]] [[taught]] in the [[Bodhicharyavatara]]? | *What are the [[eight branches]] for accumulating [[merit]] [[taught]] in the [[Bodhicharyavatara]]? | ||
*What are the three kinds of [[virtues]] one can rejoice in? | *What are the three kinds of [[virtues]] one can rejoice in? | ||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
*In which verse is the reasoned demonstration of the need for [[mind training]] explained? | *In which verse is the reasoned demonstration of the need for [[mind training]] explained? | ||
*Why is it best to take the [[bodhichitta]] [[vow]] from a fully qualified [[teacher]]? | *Why is it best to take the [[bodhichitta]] [[vow]] from a fully qualified [[teacher]]? | ||
| − | *When do you actually receive the [[Bodhichitta]] [[Vow]] and what kind of conviction should be born at that moment? | + | *When do you actually receive the [[Bodhichitta]] [[Vow]] and what kind of conviction should be born at that [[moment]]? |
*What are the two [[traditions]] for taking the [[bodhisattva vow]]? | *What are the two [[traditions]] for taking the [[bodhisattva vow]]? | ||
*Who are the two [[masters]] who founded them? | *Who are the two [[masters]] who founded them? | ||
*Which two verses constitute the actual [[vow]] of [[Bodhichitta]]? | *Which two verses constitute the actual [[vow]] of [[Bodhichitta]]? | ||
| − | *What are the benefits of training “progressively” or “step by step”? | + | *What are the benefits of {{Wiki|training}} “progressively” or “step by step”? |
*Why should we rejoice after having generated [[bodhichitta]]? | *Why should we rejoice after having generated [[bodhichitta]]? | ||
*What are the definitions of [[emotional]] and [[cognitive obscurations]]? | *What are the definitions of [[emotional]] and [[cognitive obscurations]]? | ||
| − | ==Chapter 4== | + | ==[[Chapter]] 4== |
| − | *What is [[carefulness]] and why do we need to practice it? | + | *What is [[carefulness]] and why do we need to [[practice]] it? |
| − | *Which three factors make the practice of [[discipline]] possible? | + | *Which three factors make the [[practice]] of [[discipline]] possible? |
*What are the [[Bodhisattva precepts]] in general? | *What are the [[Bodhisattva precepts]] in general? | ||
*What are the three main topics we reflect on in order to develop [[carefulness]]? | *What are the three main topics we reflect on in order to develop [[carefulness]]? | ||
| Line 62: | Line 62: | ||
*What does it mean in this context to be like a [[lion]] and not like a {{Wiki|dog}}? | *What does it mean in this context to be like a [[lion]] and not like a {{Wiki|dog}}? | ||
| − | ==Chapter 5== | + | ==[[Chapter]] 5== |
| − | ==Chapter 6== | + | ==[[Chapter]] 6== |
| − | ==Chapter 7== | + | ==[[Chapter]] 7== |
| − | ==Chapter 8== | + | ==[[Chapter]] 8== |
| − | ==Chapter 9== | + | ==[[Chapter]] 9== |
| − | ==Chapter 10== | + | ==[[Chapter]] 10== |
{{RigpaWiki}} | {{RigpaWiki}} | ||
[[Category:Bodhicaryāvatāra]] | [[Category:Bodhicaryāvatāra]] | ||
Latest revision as of 05:21, 10 March 2015
Shantideva
Study Questions on the Bodhicharyavatara - Here you can test your knowledge of Shantideva's classic text, the Bodhicharyavatara.
General/Introduction
- What does the title Bodhicharyavatara mean?
- The first three verses of the text contain four important points. What are they?
- Give the outline of the main body of the text according to the four-line bodhichitta prayer.
- How do the ten chapters of the text relate to the six paramitas?
Chapter 1
- Give the general structure for the first chapter.
- What is the purpose of this chapter?
- Why is Bodhichitta superior to all other virtues?
- What happens to our identity when we give rise to Bodhichitta?
- Give the five examples (or images) which describe the benefits of Bodhichitta.
- What do these examples mean?
- What is the limit to the merit of bodhichitta in aspiration?
- How are benefits of bodhichitta proven by scripture?
- What is the reasoning which demonstrates the benefit of bodhichitta in aspiration?
- Why is a person who practises bodhichitta great?
- How can it be that to harm a bodhisattva leads to rebirth in hell yet any connection with a bodhisattva is beneficial?
- What is the point of reflecting on the benefits of bodhichitta?
Chapter 2
- What are the four main topics of chapter 2? And how do they support the generation of Bodhichitta?
- Why is it important to make offerings in this context?
- To make the very best of offerings they should be made with the three purities. What are they?
- How is it possible for us to offer things that we do not own?
- What are the different types of offering made by Shantideva?
- Why does refuge come at this point in the text?
- What are the four powers of confession in the order presented in this text?
- Why is it necessary to confess our faults swiftly?
Chapter 3
- What are the eight branches for accumulating merit taught in the Bodhicharyavatara?
- What are the three kinds of virtues one can rejoice in?
- What is the result of requesting the Buddhas to turn the wheel of the Dharma?
- Why is mind training presented before the Bodhisattva vow?
- What are the three foundations of ego-clinging?
- Bodhisattvas’ prayers are so sublime that it seems unlikely that they can become reality. What is their purpose?
- In which verse is the reasoned demonstration of the need for mind training explained?
- Why is it best to take the bodhichitta vow from a fully qualified teacher?
- When do you actually receive the Bodhichitta Vow and what kind of conviction should be born at that moment?
- What are the two traditions for taking the bodhisattva vow?
- Who are the two masters who founded them?
- Which two verses constitute the actual vow of Bodhichitta?
- What are the benefits of training “progressively” or “step by step”?
- Why should we rejoice after having generated bodhichitta?
- What are the definitions of emotional and cognitive obscurations?
Chapter 4
- What is carefulness and why do we need to practice it?
- Which three factors make the practice of discipline possible?
- What are the Bodhisattva precepts in general?
- What are the three main topics we reflect on in order to develop carefulness?
- How does reflecting on the precious human birth encourage us to take care in our actions?
- What is it that makes us squander this immensely rare and precious human life?
- Why are destructive emotions more harmful than any other enemy?
- Overcoming our negative emotions may result in hardships. What should be our attitude in this case?
- How do we eliminate our destructive emotions?
- Why are destructive emotions weak?
- What does it mean in this context to be like a lion and not like a dog?
