Living Traditions of Practice: His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso
Photo by Mark Seliger
His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso (བསྟན་འཛིན་རྒྱ་མཚོ། born 1935), stands as the living embodiment of bodhicitta in the modern world and has dedicated his life to carrying these wisdom teachings to global audiences. Each morning, he dedicates hours to analytical meditation focused primarily on dependent arising, emptiness, compassion, and bodhicitta, making these practices the foundation of his daily life. He has shared that whatever strength of mind he possesses comes not from his title or monastic status, but from his commitment to altruism and bodhicitta practice. He has transformed these ancient teachings on bodhicitta into a lived reality for our time, teaching to tens of thousands and making these profound instructions accessible to millions beyond traditional Buddhist communities. Through his tireless teaching, his unwavering commitment to compassion, and his embodiment of wisdom in service to all beings, His Holiness demonstrates how bodhicitta offers humanity's most profound response to suffering and the surest foundation for genuine flourishing in our interconnected world.
Photo by Tenzin Choejor
Dalai Lama in Perspective
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The Dalai Lama and the Bodhicaryāvatāra
The Bodhicaryavatara (The Way of the Bodhisattva) by Śāntideva holds a uniquely sacred place in His Holiness the Dalai Lama's spiritual life and teachings. His Holiness has stated unequivocally: "If I have any understanding of compassion and the bodhisattva path, it all comes from studying this text"—a remarkable testament from one recognized as an emanation of Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. This eighth-century masterwork, which he received from his teacher Khunu Lama Rinpoche, has become inseparable from His Holiness's own understanding and embodiment of the Buddhist path.
His Holiness has taught the Bodhicaryāvatāra many times and often stresses its importance, bringing Śāntideva's profound instructions to audiences numbering in the tens of thousands. In 2022, over 45,000 people gathered in Leh, Ladakh, to hear His Holiness teach on the text, demonstrating its enduring power to draw seekers of wisdom.
According to His Holiness, Śāntideva essentializes the whole spectrum of Mahāyāna teachings, showing what the bodhisattva path really means. The text's ten chapters provide a complete guide from generating bodhicitta through the perfection of wisdom, making it both a perfect introduction for beginners and a lifelong companion for advanced practitioners. Through His Holiness's commentaries—published in works like A Flash of Lightning in the Dark of Night—the ancient wisdom of Śāntideva continues to illuminate the path of compassion for contemporary practitioners worldwide, carried forward by the teacher who embodies its message most fully in our time.
Featured Writing: The Dalai Lama on Bodhicitta and the Bodhisattva Path
Photo by Bill Kane
Teachings and Commentaries by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
This commentary by His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama, as expounded during Kalacakra teachings at Bodh Gaya, is characterised by its clarity, practicality and profundity. Each stanza of the root text is elucidated precisely and in accessible language.
In addition, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gives introductory talks at the start of each day of teaching in which he touches on every aspect of our daily lives. Studying this text leads us to feel that His Holiness is speaking directly to each one of us, and it is universal in its application.
When applied and practised with sincerity, this teaching will develop an individual's warm-hearted compassion. Thus, the contents of this book will be beneficial to Buddhist scholars and general readers alike. (Source: back cover)Dalai Lama Video Teaching Series
Browse video teachings by the Dalai Lama. Below you will find teaching series on Śāntideva's Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicaryāvatāra), Kamalaśīla's Stages of Meditation (Bhāvanākrama), Nāgārjuna's A Commentary on Bodhicitta (Bodhicittavivaraṇa), and Khunu Lama's The Jewel Lamp: A Praise of Bodhicitta (Byang chub sems kyi bstod pa rin chen sgron ma).
