Shantideva, a bodhisattva of 8th? century India wrote a guide to the bodhisattva's life. It is perhaps the most influential Mahayana work in Central Asia.

Although it is irritating not to have the root text of Shantideva's work included, this is a sterling Padmakara Group translation, titled The Nectar of Manjushri's Speech Another blot on this fine work is the innovative, confusing outline. Rather than be conventional and clear, by using combinations of changes in fonts, point size, letters etc, the editors chose an impenetrable system.

The compiler, Khenpo Kunzang Pelden, (20th cent.) based his comments mainly on Patrul Rinpoche's (19th cent.) six month teaching. Every verse is commented on. It is divided into four sections:

ch. 1-3 generation of bodhichitta where there none;
4-6 where there is bodhichitta, not letting it fade;
7-9 where it stable, making it brighter still;
10 dedication of merit

Bodhichitta is the aspiration to buddhahood for oneself and all other beings.

It is only in hardcover now, I think; published by Shambhala.

Truly a wonderful, must have book!

Another recent commentary, Engaging in the Conduct of Bodhisattvas with the root text of Shantideva, is this two volume, expensive set by Sazang Mati Panchen a disciple of Je Dolpopa (14th cent.) One volume has the Tibetan on facing pages and is just the root text. The second volume has the commentary and the root text. In many ways it is superior to the Manjushri's Speech volume.

If you can afford it, ($60) add this classic, beautiful work to your library. Snow Lion distributes it.


The root text of Shantideva's Guide is here:

http://www.shantideva.net/guide_ch1.htm

The Heart of Compassion: The Thirty-seven Verses on the Practice of a Bodhisattva with the commentary of Dilgo Khyentse, is another essential work for aspiring bodhisattvas.

The root text of the 37 verses is by the Tibetan bodhisattva Gyalse Thogme(1295-1369). Several other translations with commentaries exist, but this is one of the most inspiring.

Two other excellent commentaries on the 37 verses are Transforming the Heart by Geshe Jampa Tegchok and Keys to Great Enlightenment by Geshe Tsultim Gyeltsen. The latter title can be had for free when ordering something else from Snow Lion publications. It also contains another important text that HH Dalai Lama likes a lot; Eight Verses of Thought Training by Kadam Geshe Langri Tangpa.

http://www.snowlionpub.com/search.php?isbn=KEGREN

The root text is online here:

http://www.indianabuddhist.org/37Practices.pdf