Favourite Mahayana inspirational texts/treaties
Hope this helps!


On the method side: Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life


The quintessential guide to the method aspect of the Mahayana path and one of the most beautiful works of literature ever conceived. I challenge anyone to read this book three times and not come away with an aspiration to become a Bodhisattva for the benefit of all.


On the wisdom side: Nagarjuna's Fundamental Treatise on the Middle Way


The definitive explanation of the Buddha's Middle Way. This treatise explains how things exist and how they utterly do not exist. Ideally, the commentary by Aryadeva, Buddhapalita, Chandrakirti, Je Tsongkhapa and others should be read in order to understand what this treatise says and what it does not say. Probably one the most important yet misunderstood text in all of human history.


Analogies, metaphors, allegories, illustrating and illuminating the above including: Rope and Snake, Dreams of a Mother, Ambrosia+Water+Pus&amp;Blood, Chandrakirti's Chariot, Ship of Theseus, many many others.


These have been extremely helpful to my mind and contemplating them has opened up my own understanding meager as it is.


Diamond Cutter Sutra


Especially this verse, "As a star, a visual aberration, a lamp, an illusion, dew, a bubble, a dream, lightning, and a cloud – view all the compounded like that." This succinct instruction by the Buddha summarizes how to view all phenomena.


The Sutra of Golden Light


The last few chapters are both self-referential in delightful way and give extremely beautiful examples of Buddha Shakyamuni's actions as a Bodhisattva in previous lives. IMO, reading this Sutra is a good way of starting a New Year.


This verse, "As long as space endures, as long as sentient beings remain, until then, may I too remain and dispel the miseries of the world."


The quintessential sentiment of a Bodhisattva displaying profound Bodhicitta.