Contents
Śāntideva
Writing The Way of the Bodhisattva, an influential Buddhist guide to compassion and wisdom.
The Way of the Bodhisattva · Training Anthology
- Born
- Unknown
- Birthplace
- India
- Died
- Unknown
More people
Śāntideva
Śāntideva was an eighth-century Indian Buddhist thinker associated with Nalanda. His surviving writings examine how concern for others can shape conduct, meditation and understanding.
Early life
Uncertain origins
Later biographies describe royal origins, but disagree about his birthplace and family.
Monastic setting
Tradition places him at Nalanda, a major centre of Buddhist learning.
Career
- 8th century
Buddhist scholarship
Worked within the Madhyamaka tradition associated with Nagarjuna.
- 8th century
Teaching through texts
Composed works guiding the training and responsibilities of a bodhisattva.
Selected work
The Way of the Bodhisattva
A verse work exploring generosity, patience, attention and wisdom.
Training Anthology
Combined commentary with passages from Buddhist scriptures.
Beyond work
Life and legend
Accounts of miraculous public teaching were written later and cannot establish a detailed biography.
Tibetan reception
His writings became important teaching texts in Tibetan Buddhism.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Institutional source ↗Photo: Unknown artist — later Tibetan depiction. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
