Becoming Bodhisattvas A Guidebook for Compassionate Action

Best-selling American Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön presents a friendly and encouraging guide to spiritual practice for all those who want to take up the path of the bodhisattva—one who aspires to live life with courage, generosity, patience, fearlessness, and compassion.

The Way of the Bodhisattva has long been treasured as an indispensable guide to enlightened living, offering a window into the greatest potential within us all. Written in the eighth century by the scholar and saint Shantideva, it presents a comprehensive view of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition’s highest ideal—to commit oneself to the life of a bodhisattva warrior, a person who is wholeheartedly dedicated to the freedom and common good of all beings.

In this illuminating commentary, Pema Chödrön invites you to journey more deeply into this liberating way of life. She presents Shantideva’s ancient text verse-by-verse, weaving in her signature warmth and wisdom to make these profound teachings accessible for modern readers. Through illuminating stories drawn from her own practice and practical exercises you can integrate into daily life, she brings these timeless teachings into our contemporary world.

These essential teachings present the core of the Buddhist path, from cultivating deep-seated confidence to infusing one’s life with selflessness, joyfulness, kindness, and compassion. Whether you’re new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this guidebook offers a clear path toward healing yourself and our troubled world—one compassionate action at a time.

Previously published under the title No Time to Lose, this beloved guide continues to inspire readers seeking a more meaningful, courageous way of living.

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