The Four Powers of Shantideva

Shantideva is the author of the ancient Buddhist sutra Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life.

In his guide, readers are introduced to the way of life of a Bodhisattva.

In contrast, Christian sources are mum on how children who die young become angels. Perhaps their soul returns to the Godhead to be be reborn in a new incarnation. This return of the soul is known under the euphemism "gone to heaven".

Returning to the Guide, which is called Bodhicaryavatara, I recall reading it over five years ago. Today I can't remember a word from the text. This appears to happen when I read anything from another Buddhist tradition, but that could be because when I read it, I neglected to meditate on what I just read.

Here are his four powers:

1. Aspirations: the wish to practice Dharma.
   
2. Steadfastness; the determination to become Buddha.
   
3. Joy: the willingness to engage with others wholeheartedly with a joyful mind.
   
4. Rejection: ability to move on with the mindful practice once one of your goals are met i.e. the ability to realize when doing the same thing over and over just is not going to get a different result.
   

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If you think that"s it then it is, because I'm all out of repeating myself for 1000 characters. >::)

Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life: hhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shantideva#Bodhicaryavatara

What is the Point of Anger?

If those who are like wanton children
Are by nature prone to injure others,
What point is there in being angry--
Like resenting fire for its heat?

-Bodhicaryavatara

Here's another translation of the above quote:

even if it were the nature of the childish
to cause harm to other beings,
it would still be incorrect to be angry with them.
for this would be like begrudging fire for having the nature to burn. -- Chapter 6, verse 39.

Background:

Nine chapters of the Bodhicaryavatara was written by Acharya Shantideva in the 6th Century, with the tenth chapter added by his namesake Shantideva two centuries later.

In response to lawlessness and repeated foreign invasion by Turks, the latter Shantideva went on to found a Buddhist kingdom in southeastern Bangladesh which lasted four generations.

The Bodhicaryavatara was translated into Tibetan, and served as an important guide to Buddhist practice within the Vajrayana tradition in Tibet.

This work details the discipline, both moral and spiritual, which a monk dedicated to becoming a bodhisattva must undertake.


Commentary:
It is pointless to be angry with childish people who hurt other people, whether through word or deed. Indeed, the wise person works on controlling her mind so that neither anger nor fear gets the better of her.

Reference:

Buddhist Studies: Bodhicaryavatara: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/dharmadata/fdd59.htm

Introduction to the Bodhicaryavatara: http://www.kagyu-asia.com/t_bodhicaryavatara.html

Bodhicaryavatara: http://metaxu.to/buddhism/texts/bodhicaryavatara.html

Shantideva: http://www.shantideva.net/

The Bodhicaryavatara: http://www.bodhicitta.net/HHDL%20Bodicaryavatara%20Teachings.htm

The Bodhisattva Vow or Vow of Buddhist Angels

"May I become food and drink in the eons of famine for those poverty-stricken suffers.
May I be a doctor, medicine and nurse for all sick beings in the world until everyone is cured.

May I become never-ending wish-fulfilling treasures materialising in front of each of them as all the enjoyments they need.
May I be a guide for those who do not have a guide, a leader for those who journey, a boat for those who want to cross over, and all sorts of ships, bridges, beautiful parks for those who desire them, and light for those who need light.

And may I become beds for those who need a rest, and a servant to all who need servants.
May I also become the basic conditions for all sentient beings, such as earth or even the sky, which is indestructible.
May I always be the living conditions for all sentient beings until all sentient beings are enlightened."

and

"While their evil ripens in me, may all my virtue ripen in them."

~ Shantideva, 8th-century CE.