View source for Questions on the Bodhicharyavatara

[[Image:Shantideva.JPG|frame|'''Shantideva''']]
'''Study Questions on the Bodhicharyavatara''' - Here you can test your knowledge of [the first 4 chapters 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 practise 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?

[[Category:Bodhicharyavatara]]