August 17
Noon to 3:00pm
In-person at the Heart of Wisdom Temple in Portland (map here)
Online by Zoom
This is the ceremony for actually taking the Bodhisattva Vow. The bodhisattva vows are a formal commitment to free others from suffering and bring them to enlightenment. While it might seem easy to wish all beings could be happy, free from suffering, and find enlightenment, it’s another thing to formally make a commitment to work towards that goal. The actions that you take toward that goal are more powerful and stabilized by making a commitment to center this intention in your life.
Note: The pre-requisites for receiving the vow include:
(1) participation in the Way of the Bodhisattva Practice and Study Group (sessions you miss must be viewed as recordings);
(2) attending the August 10th class on Understanding the Commitments of the Bodhisattva Vow; and
(3) making a kata to be offered at the ceremony (instructions will be given.)
(4) If you have not already taken refuge, you will need to let Lama Lekshe know when you register.
The ceremony of the offering of the vow and the optional celebratory tea afterwards will be open to guests of those taking the vow. Please let us know how many people you will bring to the temple.
Those at a distance may take the vow via streaming, and can follow with a brief in-person offering/receiving of the vow at our September retreat as an optional support.