Overview

The Training Anthology-or TSiksa-samuccaya-is a collection of quotations from Buddhist sutras with illuminating and insightful commentary by the eighth-century North Indian master Santideva. Best known for his philosophical poem, the Bodhicaryavatara, Santideva has been a vital source of spiritual guidance and literary inspiration to Tibetan teachers and students throughout the history of Tibetan Buddhism. Charles Goodman offers a translation of this major work of religious literature, in which Santideva has extracted, from the vast ocean of the Buddha's teachings, a large number of passages of exceptional value, either for their practical relevance, philosophical illumination, or aesthetic beauty. The Training Anthology provides a comprehensive overview of the Mahayana path to Awakening and gives scholars an invaluable window into the religious doctrines, ethical commitments, and everyday life of Buddhist monks in India during the first millennium CE. This translation includes a detailed analysis of the philosophy of the Training Anthology, an introduction to Santideva's cultural and religious contexts, and informative footnotes. The translation conveys the teachings of this timeless classic in clear and accessible English, highlighting for the modern reader the intellectual sophistication, beauty, and spiritual grandeur of the original text.

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9780199391349

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Reviews

For all the many admirers of Santideva, scholars and practitioners, Buddhist and non-Buddhist alike, this book is a treat and an education. It rewards readers with Goodman's eminently readable introduction and deeply informed synopsis of the text, all contextualizing his smooth and skillful translation from the Sanskrit and Tibetan of Santideva's 'other' great work, the Training Anthology. This is a must-read for everyone interested in further background to Santideva's thinking and practical advice, and for thoughtful persons from any tradition who reflect on the place of rational thought in the life and heart of compassionate, philosophically astute, practitioners. -Anne C. Klein, author of Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse Goodman has done a valuable service in not only bringing out a new translation of Santideva's Siksa-samuccaya, but also, and more importantly, breathing new life into the meaning of the text through his deliberate translation choices, apparent right away from the title. He succeeds not only in conveying the ideas and thoughts in modern English, but also evoking the emotions and sensibilities that the original audience might have experienced. -Geshe Dadul Namgyal, Senior Resident Teacher, Drepung Loseling Monastery, Atlanta; Interpreter/Translator, Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, Emory University

For all the many admirers of Santideva, scholars and practitioners, Buddhist and non-Buddhist alike, this book is a treat and an education. It rewards readers with Goodman's eminently readable introduction and deeply informed synopsis of the text, all contextualizing his smooth and skillful translation from the Sanskrit and Tibetan of Santideva's 'other' great work, the <em>Training Anthology</em>. This is a must-read for everyone interested in further background to Santideva's thinking and practical advice, and for thoughtful persons from any tradition who reflect on the place of rational thought in the life and heart of compassionate, philosophically astute, practitioners. -Anne C. Klein, author of <em>Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse</em> Goodman has done a valuable service in not only bringing out a new translation of Santideva's <em>Siksa-samuccaya</em>, but also, and more importantly, breathing new life into the meaning of the text through his deliberate translation choices, apparent right away from the title. He succeeds not only in conveying the ideas and thoughts in modern English, but also evoking the emotions and sensibilities that the original audience might have experienced. -Geshe Dadul Namgyal, Senior Resident Teacher, Drepung Loseling Monastery, Atlanta; Interpreter/Translator, Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, Emory University

The Training Anthology provides a comprehensive overview of the Mahayana path to Awakening and gives scholars an invaluable window into the religious doctrines, ethical commitments, and everyday life of Buddhist monks in India during the first millennium CE. --Reading Religion For all the many admirers of Santideva, scholars and practitioners, Buddhist and non-Buddhist alike, this book is a treat and an education. It rewards readers with Goodman's eminently readable introduction and deeply informed synopsis of the text, all contextualizing his smooth and skillful translation from the Sanskrit and Tibetan of Santideva's 'other' great work, the Training Anthology. This is a must-read for everyone interested in further background to Santideva's thinking and practical advice, and for thoughtful persons from any tradition who reflect on the place of rational thought in the life and heart of compassionate, philosophically astute, practitioners. -Anne C. Klein, author of Heart Essence of the Vast Expanse Goodman has done a valuable service in not only bringing out a new translation of Santideva's Siksa-samuccaya, but also, and more importantly, breathing new life into the meaning of the text through his deliberate translation choices, apparent right away from the title. He succeeds not only in conveying the ideas and thoughts in modern English, but also evoking the emotions and sensibilities that the original audience might have experienced. -Geshe Dadul Namgyal, Senior Resident Teacher, Drepung Loseling Monastery, Atlanta; Interpreter/Translator, Emory-Tibet Science Initiative, Emory University

Author Information

Charles Goodman is a Buddhist scholar, philosopher, translator, and meditation teacher. He is an Associate Professor at Binghamton University. His academic interests include ethical theory, Buddhist philosophy, metaphysics, and applied ethics. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and is the author of Consequences of Compassion: An Interpretation and Defense of Buddhist Ethics.

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