Bodhisattva vows
 

This thread is the fulfilment of a promise to slash112.

Bodhisattva vows are commonly used in the Mahayana School of Buddhism. Mahayana includes the Tibetan, Zen, Pure Land Schools.

They are sometimes called the "Greater Vehicle" schools as their emphasis and line of reasoning is focused on helping all beings. It is said that Bodhisattvas attain full enlightenment and even Nibbana but stay on Earth to help all beings - therefore work for the salvation of all

These vows are commonly chanted at every service/sitting in Mahayana Schools - such is the importance of this ethos in many Mahayana traditions.

English:

Living beings are innumerable: I vow to save them.
Delusive passions are inexhaustible: I vow to extinguish them.
The Dharma gates are immeasurable: I vow to master them.
The Way of the Buddha is unsurpassable: I vow to fulfill it.

East Asian:

眾生無邊誓願度
煩惱無盡誓願斷
法門無量誓願學
佛道無上誓願成

shujō muhen sei gan do 
bon-no mujin sei gan dan 
ho mon muryō sei gan gaku 
butsu do mujō sei gan jo

I have not read these, but here are some referenced teachings:

Gil Frondsal teaching: http://www.chzc.org/Fronsdal.htm
Thich Nhat Hanh teaching: https://www.scribd.com/document/3315...sattvas-7p-pdf
M. Sheng-Yen teaching: http://www.dharmanet.org/coursesM/26/chan6a.htm
Suzuki Roshi teaching: http://suzukiroshi.sfzc.org/dharma-t...hisattva-vows/

Thank you so much for this BT!


These are basically already my mantras. I've never actually put my mantras down in the form of neat sentences before, but those 4 vows sum up the meaning behind the things I keep telling myself.

I think I shall actually use those vows. An everyday mantra.

Even as I read the words right now, it gives me a deep sense of peace and reminds me what I'm here to do.

Here's a beautiful version from TNH.


However innumerable beings are, I vow to meet them with kindness and interest.
However inexhaustible the states of suffering are, I vow to touch them with patience and love.
However immeasurable the Dharmas are, I vow to explore them deeply.
However incomparable the mystery of interbeing, I vow to surrender to it freely.

You're welcome. If you feel that strongly about them, maybe you can attend a real life center where they chant this - if you find the right place, I think you will enjoy the energy of group chanting. Just a thought.

BT

Yeah I would love to do such a thing. I think I gotta brush up on my Buddhism first though. :P

Thank you sky123 :smile:



Thay is an incredible Buddhist Zen Master who has devoted his life to service and teaching. He has not only walked the walk, but has penetrated to many of the deep truths in Buddhism, and is a teacher worthy of respect. Even in his severe illness, he seeks to help others.

Mindfulness is the kind of light that shows us the way. It is the living Buddha inside of each of us. Mindfulness gives birth to insight, awakening, compassion, and love.

Plum Village - Lineage of Thich Nhat Hanh

I just wanted to be clear on something. Dharma gates are basically the enlightening mental processes, right?

Ohh, looks like I've got some reading and watching material for today, Thich Nhat Hanh.

Hi slash112

Apologies I missed this message earlier. It's just an idea - only if it is your thing. As to brushing up on Buddhism, it's not that important, it will come if you are interested?

:smile:

BT