Essence of
The Way of the Bodhisattva

Open to everyone
Join this self-paced course with Mingyur Rinpoche.

About the Course

How can we live in this world of constant change and challenges? Mingyur Rinpoche gives us advice on how to train in resilience and patience in order to keep going.
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This course trains the mind in awareness, loving-kindness and compassion, and wisdom in order to deepen and expand these qualities. We will use one of the most treasured texts of the Buddhist tradition as our guide: The Way of the Bodhisattva by the 8th-century Indian master Shantideva. This Buddhist classic explains how to cultivate bodhichitta, the heartfelt commitment to help all beings awaken to their true nature.

Mingyur Rinpoche will bring this teaching to life, highlighting how these ancient teachings can help us navigate the challenges of everyday life.

About the Course

Watch this short introduction to the Essence course
Write your awesome label here.
This course trains the mind in awareness, loving-kindness and compassion, and wisdom in order to deepen and expand these qualities.
We will use one of the most treasured texts of the Buddhist tradition as our guide: The Way of the Bodhisattva by the 8th-century Indian master Shantideva. This Buddhist classic explains how to cultivate bodhichitta, the heartfelt commitment to help all beings awaken to their true nature.
Mingyur Rinpoche will bring this teaching to life, highlighting how these ancient teachings can help us navigate the challenges of everyday life.
Your Guides for this course

Meet Your Teacher and Guides

Tergar guides facilitate online programs, residential retreats, and assist with Path of Liberation courses taught by Mingyur Rinpoche and other Tergar lamas.

 Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Kunsang Palmo

Tim Olmsted


Why should I take the course?

How can we be patient and confident in difficult times? How can we be of service to others without burning out? How do we transform our mind by gaining deep insight and wisdom? In this course, Shantideva’s The Way of the Bodhisattva, along with Mingyur Rinpoche’s practical instructions, presents a toolbox for resiliency, providing practical ways to remain grounded, emotionally balanced, and compassionate in the face of great adversity.

What is included in this course?

This course includes: 
  • A series of lectures from Mingyur Rinpoche highlighting key points from The Way of the Bodhisattva
  • An exclusive interview with Pema Chödrön
  • Detailed instruction in both formal meditation and everyday-life practices
  • Inspiring teachings from a range of leading Buddhist teachers 
  • Simple instructions on living a life of awareness, compassion, and wisdom 
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Course Curriculum

This course consists of six lessons, each clarifying a major theme of the text. 
Course Content
Welcome to the course
Mingyur Rinpoche and course guides Tim Olmsted and Kunsang Palmo welcome you to the course and invite you to explore the timeless wisdom of The Way of the Bodhisattva. 

1. The Essence of Bodhichitta
Lesson 1, introduces the bodhisattva ideal and explains how you can begin to infuse your life with awareness, compassion, and wisdom.

2. Relating to the Mind
Lesson 2, provides you with a foundation for the cultivation of mindfulness and introspection, which are vital aspects of the path.

3. Engaging as a Bodhisattva
Lesson 3, establishes the practices of patience and joyful effort, which are critical in overcoming challenges and nurturing well-being, as well as ways to create a sustained and lasting practice. 

4. Meditating as a Bodhisattva
Lesson 4, presents an overview for engaging in the forms of meditation set forth in The Way of the Bodhisattva designed to liberate the self-cherishing mind and open the heart to others.

5. The View of the Bodhisattva
Lesson 5, offers practices to help you see reality as it is—the discernment at the heart of the bodhisattva’s approach—and make this view central to your experience.

6. The Wisdom of a Bodhisattva
Lesson 6, helps you begin to cultivate wisdom by exploring the principle of emptiness—the true nature of how things are—and applying this insight in both your formal meditation and daily life practice.
Easy as one, two, three

Start the course

Individual Course
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Reduced

$25

Monthly

If you cannot afford the standard rate, you may choose the financial reduced rate.

  • 10-day free trial
  • 20+ courses included
  • Includes free access to the Joy of Living online program

Standard

$50

Monthly

The standard rate will cover the basic costs of offering the program.

  • 10-day free trial
  • 20+ courses included
  • Includes free access to the Joy of Living online program

Sponsor

$75

Monthly

Your generosity will help us to offer a discounted rate to those in need of financial assistance.

  • 10-day free trial
  • 20+ courses included
  • Includes free access to the Joy of Living online program


After the 10 days free trial, you will be charged for a monthly subscription, and the subscription will automatically be renewed each month. You can unsubscribe anytime, and no additional fees will be charged. For more questions about the subscription, please visit our FAQ section. Tergar is committed to making the benefits of meditation available to everyone. To ask about subscription assistance, contact us at tlcsupport@tergar.org.

Reduced

$250

 Annual Prepaid

You save $50

If you cannot afford the standard rate, you may choose the financial reduced rate.

  • 10-day free trial
  • +20 courses included
  • Includes free access to the Joy of Living online program

Standard

$500

Annual Prepaid

You save $100

The standard rate will cover the basic costs of offering the program.

  • 10-day free trial
  • +20 courses included
  • Includes free access to the Joy of Living online program

Sponsor

$750

Annual Prepaid

You save $150

Your generosity will help us to offer a discounted rate to those in need of financial assistance.

  • 10-day free trial
  • +20 courses included
  • Includes free access to the Joy of Living online program


After the 10 days free trial, you will be charged for a monthly subscription, and the subscription will automatically be renewed each month. You can unsubscribe anytime, and no additional fees will be charged. For more questions about the subscription, please visit our FAQ section. Tergar is committed to making the benefits of meditation available to everyone. To ask about subscription assistance, contact us at tlcsupport@tergar.org.

Essence Course

$150

One Single Payment


  • Take your journey one course at a time
  • Follow the course at your own pace
  • Lifetime access to  purchased courses
  • Includes free access to the Joy of Living online program
 “For I am like a blind man who has found
A precious gem within a mound of filth.
Exactly so, as if by some strange chance,
The enlightened mind has come to birth in me.”
—  Shantideva, 3:28

Start the course

This course offers the flexibility for individual purchase, allowing participants to access it at their convenience. Once purchased, participants will enjoy lifetime access to the course.
If you are a Vajrayana Online subscriber, this course is already included as part of your subscription.

Individual Course

Essence Course

$150

One Single Payment
Vajrayana Online subscription
not included

  • Take your journey one course at a time
  • Follow the course at your own pace
  • Lifetime access to  purchased courses

Frequently asked questions

What is a Bodhisattva?

A bodhisattva is someone who is committed to helping all beings awaken to their true nature. Bodhisattvas are often considered enlightened teachers, but could also be everyday people, just like us, who have the motivation of bodhichitta (see below).

What is Bodhichitta?

Bodhichitta is the altruistic motivation and commitment to become a fully realized buddha, in order to help all beings realize their own true nature and become buddhas themselves.

Do I have to be a buddhist to join this course?

This course is open to all who have a wish to better understand the human experience and the workings of the mind. While rooted in Buddhist wisdom, the teachings contained in this course are applicable to anyone.

Do I have to have prior experience in meditation?

Prior experience in meditation is suggested, but not required. Mingyur Rinpoche teaches in a highly relatable way, so much of this course is based on exploring our lived experience. If you wish to acquire a foundation for these practices, attending a Joy of Living program online is a good option.

Do I need to buy this course separately if I'm already a subscriber to Vajrayana Online?

No, if you're subscribed to Vajrayana Online, this course is already included in your subscription.

What is the refund policy if I mistakenly purchased the course?

You can request a refund by contacting us at TLCSupport@tergar.org. The refunded amount will reflect in your statement within 5-10 days.
If you made the purchase using PayPal, you can request a refund for a specific payment within 180 days of the original transaction."