Santideva
ŚĀNTIDEVA
The Madhyamaka school philosopher and poet Śāntideva is generally thought to have lived some time between 685 and 763 c.e., although this is by no means conclusive. The claim that he was a prince from North India who fled royal consecration repeats a traditional Buddhist theme and has no independent support. Śāntideva adhered to the MahĀyĀna tradition. His spiritual poem the BodhicaryĀvatĀra (Introduction to the Conduct That Leads to Enlightenment) indicates that he was particularly devoted to the bodhisattva Mañjuśrī. His other great work is the Śikṣāsamuccaya (Compendium of Doctrines), which consists in the main of valuable quotations from many Mahāyāna Buddhist scriptures (sūtras) arranged to illustrate aspects of the Mahāyāna path. The Śikṣāsamuccaya is an important Sanskrit source for sections of sūtras that no longer survive in their Sanskrit originals.
In the traditional (mainly Tibetan) hagiographies, Śāntideva appears to be quite ordinary although actually a figure of advanced spiritual attainment. One story goes that he seemed to the monks of Nālandā Monastery simply to laze around doing nothing. They asked him to give a recitation before the monastery, then tried to erect the teacher's seat so high that Śāntideva could not reach it. With one hand he magically lowered the seat, sat on it, and asked what they wanted him to recite. At the request for something new (for a change) Śāntideva began to create spontaneously his Bodhicaryāvatāra, undoubtedly the single greatest Indian poem about cultivating the Mahāyāna spiritual life. When he had nearly reached the end he ascended into the air and disappeared, although his voice could still be heard.
See also:Sanskrit, Buddhist Literature in
Bibliography
Bendall, Cecil, and Rouse, W. H. D., trans. Śikṣā Samuccaya: A Compendium of Buddhist Doctrine. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. Reprint of 1922 edition.
Crosby, Kate, and Skilton, Andrew, trans. Śāntideva: The Bodhicaryāvatāra. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995.
Ruegg, David S. The Literature of the Madhyamaka School of Philosophy in India. Wiesbaden, Germany: Harrassowitz, 1981.
Tsonawa, Losang Norbu, trans. Indian Buddhist Pandits from "The Jewel Garland of Buddhist History." Dharamsala, India: Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, 1985.
Wallace, Vesna A., and Wallace, B. Allan, trans. A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life (Bodhicaryāvatāra). New York: Snow Lion, 1997.
Williams, Paul. Mahāyāna Buddhism: The Doctrinal Foundations. London and New York: Routledge, 1989.
Williams, Paul, with Tribe, Anthony. Buddhist Thought: A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition. London and New York: Routledge, 2000.