Bodhisattva vows

[blossomingtree]

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.

[blossomingtree]

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

[slash112]

Thank you so much for this BT!

Originally Posted by blossomingtree

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.

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.

[blossomingtree]

Originally Posted by slash112

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.

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

[sky]

Originally Posted by blossomingtree

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

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.

[blossomingtree]

Originally Posted by sky123

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.

Thank you sky123



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

[markings]

Originally Posted by sky123

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.

Westernised, clumsy, New Agey, long-winded, non-poetic.
There is no reason to use that.

What is lacking in most other versions quoted here is the word 'all' at the end of every line.
There are no exceptions, the job is not done until every single line item is done in it entirety. There is no option to leave anything out for whatever reason.

Innumerable are sentient beings, I vow to save them all.
Inexhaustible are our deluded passions, I vow to extinguish them all.
Immeasurable are the Dharma gates, I vow to enter them all.
Unsurpassed are the Buddha's teaching, vow to master them all.

[sky]

Originally Posted by markings

Westernised, clumsy, New Agey, long-winded, non-poetic.
There is no reason to use that.

What is lacking in most other versions quoted here is the word 'all' at the end of every line.
There are no exceptions, the job is not done until every single line item is done in it entirety. There is no option to leave anything out for whatever reason.

Innumerable are sentient beings, I vow to save them all.
Inexhaustible are our deluded passions, I vow to extinguish them all.
Immeasurable are the Dharma gates, I vow to enter them all.
Unsurpassed are the Buddha's teaching, vow to master them all.

It's beautiful, spoken from a man who has dedicated his life from the age of sixteen to others, actions speak louder than words.

[markings]

Originally Posted by sky123

It's beautiful, spoken from a man who has dedicated his life from the age of sixteen to others, actions speak louder than words.

I don't care whether he has dedicated his life to others.
I judge the words as given here, where they come from is irrelevant.

[blossomingtree]

Originally Posted by markings

Westernised, clumsy, New Agey, long-winded, non-poetic.
There is no reason to use that.

What is lacking in most other versions quoted here is the word 'all' at the end of every line.
There are no exceptions, the job is not done until every single line item is done in it entirety. There is no option to leave anything out for whatever reason.

Innumerable are sentient beings, I vow to save them all.
Inexhaustible are our deluded passions, I vow to extinguish them all.
Immeasurable are the Dharma gates, I vow to enter them all.
Unsurpassed are the Buddha's teaching, vow to master them all.

Sentient beings are numberless, I vow to save them
Greed, hatred and delusion rise endlessly, I vow to abandon them
The Dharma Gates are endless, I vow to wake to them
The Buddha Way is unsurpassed, I vow to embody it fully

It felt good to write that out again, thank you for the reflection, markings

BT