Poetry Books

Written in India in the early 8th century AD, Śāntideva's Bodhicaryāvatāra addresses the profound desire to become a Buddha and rescue all beings from suffering. The person who acts upon such a desire is a Bodhisattva. Śāntideva not only makes plain what the Bodhisattva must do and become, he also invokes the powerful feelings of aspiration that underlie such a commitment, employing language which has inspired Buddists ever since it first appeared. Indeed, his book has long been regarded as one of the most popular accounts of the Buddhist's spiritual path. Important as a manual of training among Mahayana Buddhists, especially in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, this text continues to be used as the basis for teaching by modern Buddhist teachers. This new translation from the original language provides detailed annotations explaining allusions and technical references. Also, the Introduction both serve to locate Śāntideva's work in its proper context, and for the first time explain its structure. About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

This book could be a good read for individuals seeking spiritual guidance, regardless of their religious background. Shantideva's Bodhisattvacharyavatara offers deep insights into the Bodhisattva path and the wisdom that comes with it. With its scholastic precision, spiritual depth, and poetic beauty, readers will find this book to be a timeless classic that offers valuable teachings on how to live a life of compassion and wisdom.

This book is a must-read for those interested in Buddhist teachings. The poems offer insight into the experiences of women who followed the Buddha, providing a unique perspective on an often male-dominated field. The verses are reflective and powerful, leaving a lasting impact on readers long after they finish the book.

The Dhammapada is a must-read for those interested in Buddhist philosophy and morals. The book is filled with short, yet thought-provoking aphorisms that offer insight into the human condition and ways to achieve inner peace. The book's most distinctive feature is its ability to provide practical wisdom through concise and relatable stories. Readers will find this book to be both inspirational and enlightening as it offers guidance on how to better navigate the complexities of life.

The Therīgāthā, composed more than two millennia ago, is an anthology of poems in the Pali language by and about the first Buddhist women. These women were therīs, the senior ones, among ordained Buddhist women, and they bore that epithet because of their religious achievements. The poems they left behind are arguably among the most ancient examples of women’s writing in the world and they are unmatched for their quality of personal expression and the extraordinary insight they offer into the lives of women in the ancient Indian past—and indeed, into the lives of women as such.This new version of the Therīgāthā, based on a careful reassessment of the major editions of the work and printed in the Roman script common for modern editions of Pali texts, offers the most powerful and the most readable translation ever achieved in English.

Dhammapada means “the path of dharma,” the path of truth, harmony, and righteousness that anyone can follow to reach the highest good. Easwaran’s translation of this classic Buddhist text is the best-selling edition in its field, praised by Huston Smith as a “sublime rendering.”The introduction gives an overview of the Buddha’s teachings that is penetrating and clear – accessible for readers new to Buddhism, but also with fresh insights and practical applications for readers familiar with this text. Chapter introductions place individual verses into the context of the broader Buddhist canon.Easwaran is a master storyteller, and his opening essay includes many stories that make moving, memorable reading, bringing young Siddhartha and his heroic spiritual quest vividly to life.But Easwaran’s main qualification for interpreting the Dhammapada, he said, was that he knew from his own experience that these verses could transform our lives. This faithful rendition brings us closer to the compassionate heart of the Buddha.