Dec. 12 - The Three Vows
Teaching and Vows Ceremony
6-8:30 pm December 12
A vow is a virtuous determination to abandon particular faults that is generated in conjunction with a traditional ritual.
Refuge Vows
Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are known as the Three Jewels. When we go for refuge to the Three Jewels we enter into the Buddhist family. Gen Lingpur will teach on the meaning and value of the vows and then grant them formally to those who wish to receive them. Pre-register by Dec. 10 - $15
Buddha is the source of all teachings and blessings, Dharma is the realization of Buddha’s teachings, and Sangha is the pure Dharma practitioners who help us with our spiritual practice.
Dharma is like medicine that prevents the sufferings of the three lower realms, Buddha is the doctor who gives us this medicine, and the Sangha are the nurses who assist us.
At present we are human and free from lower rebirth, but this is only a temporary and not a permanent liberation from lower rebirth. Until we gain a deep realization of refuge, we shall have to take lower rebirth again and again in countless future lives. We attain permanent liberation from lower rebirth by sincerely relying upon the Three Jewels.
Understanding this, we go for refuge to Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Bodhisattva vows
Bodhisattva vows are taken with the motivation of bodhichitta – a heartfelt wish to become enlightened to be able to benefit all living beings.
The Bodhisattva vows are explained in detail in the book The Bodhisattva Vow.
Once received, they can be retaken repeatedly. Maintaining the Bodhisattva vows is the basis of the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, which all Kadampas strive to follow.
Pratimoksha vows
Buddha gives extensive instructions on the Pratimoksha moral discipline and the Pratimoksha vows in the Vinaya Sutras.
Pratimoksha means `personal liberation’, and so a Pratimoksha vow is a vow that is motivated mainly by the wish to attain personal liberation.
There are Pratimoksha vows that are lay vows and Pratimoksha vows that are ordained vows.
Hundreds of Kadampa lay practitioners have taken the lay Pratimoksha vows; and there are now Kadampa monks and nuns worldwide who have taken the ordained Pratimoksha vows.
For more information on Pratimoksha vows, consult your local Dharma Center.