THE AVAIVARTIKA SOCIETY

The United Assembly of Bodhisattvas

The Avaivartika Society is a non-sectarian association and Dharma community founded in the Madhyamika tradition.

The Dragon Logo of the United Assembly is a symbol of that foundation, not only in recognizing the historical signifigance of the Dragon as a guardian and protector, but also as a representation of the Buddha Nature as one conquers the dragon within.

While founded in the Si Lun tradition, associate membership in the United Assembly of Bodhisattvas called the AVAIVARTIKA SOCIETY is open to all Mahayana and Theravada Buddhists, lay and ordained, who are committed to the Bodhisattva ideal of compassion and loving-kindness in action, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.

The Bodhicaryavatara Historical Project of the Mahabodhi Maitri Mandala was commissioned in the Spring of 2004 by the Ven. Shan-jian and the Ven. Anagarika Dharmakara with the specific goal of discovering the historic Shantideva of the Bodhicaryavatara.

Originally known as the Mahabodhi Institute, the Mahabodhi Maitri Mandala was begun in 1992 as a non-sectarian Buddhist organization dedicated to the study of early Buddhist doctrine and practice from both Theravada and Mahayana perspectives, which continues today as an online education program.

Emphasizing the beliefs held in common by all Buddhists, the Mahabodhi Maitri Mandala was reorganized in 2003 with the faculty of the Mahabodhi Sunyata Seminary of Spain serving as its advisory committee, while Master Shan-jian and Anagarika Dharmakara continue to serve as its administrative directors.

The Mahabodhi Maitri Mandala in America is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit California Corporation

General Email and Information: info@shantideva.net

You will notice the name Shri Ri is given importance in the logo above.

Why Shri Ri?

Well, legend tells us that the great Tibetan Yogi Milarepa was meditating in his hermitage at Shri Ri when several bandits came. They saw that he had neither food, clothes or money and seeing how he lived and meditated they had a great admiration for him.

They went to him and said, "This place is bad. Here the conditions are not favorable, there is no food and nothing useful, why not come with us, see our village and you can have all that you need."

Milarepa replied, "It is true that conditions here are not favorable and in your village it would be more favorable, but I have all that I need for my meditations."

We wish to make that point then to all those who practice Aviavartika. Surround yourself, according to your natural temperament with only what you really require for meditation. Avaivartika is not a path of intellect it is a path which generates direct experiences that leads to the truth of the Life Force and generates natural attitudes, intentions and actions even while walking gently within this tempestuous world of Stained Samsara. Allow the ideal of your own Shri Ri to permeate your AVAIVARTIKA path.

WHAT DOES THE AVAIVARTIKA SOCIETY DO?

It promotes an understanding of Shantideva and the Bodhicharyavatara.

It promotes a true understanding of AVAIVARTIKA.

It provides personalized teachings with regard to the attainment of the Shantideva ideal.

It provides teachings and the details of the contemplations necessary for advancement upon the Bodhisattva Grounds.

It provides a sense of a greater Sangha of those who are truly concerned about the folly of the world and wish to correctly aid all sentient creatures no matter what their path is within or outside Buddha Dharma

SHANTIDEVA

Although there has been quite a bit of confusion in regard to the historical Acharya Shantideva, including questions about the original number of chapters and the various datings assigned to the Bodhicaryavatara, this is more related to a politically motivated preference for the Tibetan tradition and a failure within Buddhist scholarship to examine the history of southeastern Bangladesh, the region which has always been associated with Acharya Shantideva.

Because of this, the Ven. Master Shan-jian Da-shi and the regents of the Mahabodhi Sunyata Seminario de España established the Bodhicaryavatara Historical Project (BHP), not only to document what is known about the historical Acharya Shantideva and the composition of the Bodhicaryavatara, but also to evaluate the academic research of the Early Buddhist Manuscript Project, with the Ven. J.M. Dharmakara Boda (Shan-tao Shi-Ixong), the guardian of the Shantideva Society, serving as the project's exectutive director.

Embracing the Bodhisattva Dharma as a means in and of itself, the members of the Society seek to realize the Bodhisattva spirit as it existed within the early Buddhist community and the development of that spirit through the teachings of Acharya Shantideva, the author of the Bodhicaryavatara, which is a perfect vehicle for beginners or those who are intermediate laity upon the path, since it develops initiative, determination and perseverance while struggling with meditation.

For those who are more advanced and dedicated, the teachings regarding the Bodhisattva Ground practices are essential and the Contemplations and Meditations necessary are fully available to members of the Society.

Two forms of membership are available.

Avaivartika membership is open to Dharma-inspired organizations of any persuasion or form of practice within Buddha Dharma. Individual membership may also be solicited.

Shantideva membership is open to every human creature with the will to follow Shantideva's Bodhicharyavatara example, no matter what circunstances exist in his or her life.

Individual members will be required to understand the Bodhisattva Affirmation and take a personal pledge to do one's utmost to understand the true not conventional bodhisattva undertaking.