Taking the Bodhisattva Vow by Bokar Rinpoche
Author:Bokar Rinpoche [Bokar Rinpoche]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-11-28T10:42:00+00:00
Vow of Realizing Bodhicitta
The postulants first recite a request to receive the vow of realizing Bodhicitta. Then, the master asks them questions in order to learn of any obstacles to taking the vow. The master in particular asks them:
-if they can follow the precepts and conduct of a Bodhisattva who acts to benefit all beings
-if, as beginners embarking on the path, they have no fear of committing errors regarding the precepts of Bodhicitta; are they prepared to commit themselves
-whether they rejoice in the infinite benefits resulting from Bodhicitta
-if they have heard and understood the teachings on Bodhicitta, and if they have faith in them
-if they wish to work for the benefit of all beings
-if they take this vow without constraint
After the master has judged their aptitude to receive the vow, the postulants ask him or her to bestow the vow upon them.
Following this request, the master agrees to bestow the vow upon them.
While taking this vow, the postulant must keep in mind altruistic motivation. During the vow of aspiring Bodhicitta, we engage to attain perfect Buddhahood to free all beings from suffering and to bring them happiness. The commitment is to the goal, Buddhahood. The vow of realizing Bodhicitta, on the other hand, is directed to the means necessary to attain this goal: the observance of the Bodhicitta precepts, the practice of the six paramitas, the elimination of mistakes, and the respect of the three ethics (ethic that avoids negative acts, ethic that practices positive acts, and ethic accomplishing benefit for others). All the Buddhas of the past have trained in this way; it is also the way of the present Buddha, and it will be the way of future Buddhas. The vow of realizing Bodhicitta, therefore, consists of promising to follow this path, accomplishing all that must be accomplished, and avoiding all that must be avoided.
The master asks the postulants three times if they wish to follow this way, if they respect this path, and if they make the commitment to follow this path. They answer that they wish to do so, and that they make the commitment to do so.
The third answer seals the promise. The disciples have then fully received the vow of realizing Bodhicitta. This completes the vow of the Bodhisattva.
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