A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s6.t4.344

v2.c19.s6.t4.344

Although the Śikṣā-Samuccaya is the work of a not very original scholar, and the Bodhicaryāvatāra¹ that of a prominent poet, yet there can scarcely be a doubt that they are both by the same author. Apart from external reasons,² these two works, which are so fundamentally different from each other in character,³ are nevertheless both on exactly the same doctrinal standpoint. In both, the ethical ideal is the Bodhisattva, who has formed the resolve one day to attain enlightenment, who strives to reach this, the highest goal, firstly by infinite pity for the beings, and secondly by worshipping the Buddhas, and who sees the highest wisdom in the conviction of the unreality of the world of phenomena (Śūnyatā).