Difference between revisions of "The Bodhicitta Vows"
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| − | 1. Praising yourself and belittling others because of your attachment to receiving offerings, being respected and venerated as a teacher, and gaining profit in general. | + | 1. Praising yourself and belittling others because of your [[attachment]] to receiving [[offerings]], being respected and venerated as a [[teacher]], and gaining profit in general. |
| − | 2. Not giving material aid or teaching the Dharma to those who are pained with suffering and without a protector because of your being under the influence of miserliness, wanting to amass knowledge for yourself alone. | + | 2. Not giving material aid or [[teaching the Dharma]] to those who are pained with [[suffering]] and without a [[protector]] because of your being under the influence of [[miserliness]], wanting to amass [[knowledge]] for yourself alone. |
| − | 3. Not listening to someone who has previously offended you but who declares his offence and begs forgiveness, and holding a grudge against him. | + | 3. Not listening to someone who has previously offended you but who declares his offence and begs [[forgiveness]], and holding a [[grudge]] against him. |
| − | 4. Condemning the teachings of Buddha and teaching distorted views. | + | 4. Condemning the [[teachings of Buddha]] and [[teaching]] distorted [[views]]. |
| − | 5. Taking offerings to the Three Jewels of Refuge for yourself by such means as stealth, robbery or devious schemes. | + | 5. Taking [[offerings]] to the [[Three Jewels]] of [[Refuge]] for yourself by such means as stealth, robbery or devious schemes. |
| − | 6. Despising the Tripitaka and saying that these texts are not the teachings of Buddha. | + | 6. Despising the [[Tripitaka]] and saying that these texts are not the [[teachings of Buddha]]. |
| − | 7. Evicting monks from a monastery or casting them out of the Sangha even if they have broken their vows, because of not forgiving them. | + | 7. Evicting [[monks]] from a [[monastery]] or casting them out of the [[Sangha]] even if they have broken their [[vows]], because of not forgiving them. |
| − | 8. Committing any of the five heinous crimes of killing your mother, your father, an Arhat, drawing blood intentionally from a Buddha or causing division in the Sangha by supporting and spreading sectarian views. | + | 8. Committing any of the [[five heinous crimes]] of {{Wiki|killing}} your mother, your father, an [[Arhat]], drawing {{Wiki|blood}} intentionally from a [[Buddha]] or causing [[division]] in the [[Sangha]] by supporting and spreading {{Wiki|sectarian}} [[views]]. |
| − | 9. Holding views contrary to the teachings of Buddha such as sectarianism, disbelief in the Three Jewels of Refuge, the law of cause and effect and so forth. | + | 9. Holding [[views]] contrary to the [[teachings of Buddha]] such as {{Wiki|sectarianism}}, disbelief in the [[Three Jewels]] of [[Refuge]], the [[law of cause and effect]] and so forth. |
| − | 10. Completely destroying any place by such means as fire, bombs, pollution and black magic. | + | 10. Completely destroying any place by such means as [[fire]], bombs, pollution and [[black magic]]. |
| − | 11. Teaching Sunyata to those who are not yet ready to understand it. 12. Turning people away from working for the Full Enlightenment of Buddhahood and encouraging them to work merely for their own Liberation from suffering. 13. Encouraging people to abandon their vowed rules of moral conduct. | + | 11. [[Teaching]] [[Sunyata]] to those who are not yet ready to understand it. 12. Turning [[people]] away from working for the [[Full Enlightenment]] of [[Buddhahood]] and encouraging them to work merely for their [[own]] [[Liberation]] from [[suffering]]. 13. Encouraging [[people]] to abandon their [[vowed]] {{Wiki|rules}} of [[moral conduct]]. |
| − | 14. Causing others to hold the distorted views you might hold about the Hinayana teachings, as well as belittling the Hinayana teachings and saying that their practice does not lead to Nirvana. | + | 14. Causing others to hold the distorted [[views]] you might hold about the [[Hinayana]] teachings, as well as belittling the [[Hinayana]] teachings and saying that their practice does not lead to [[Nirvana]]. |
| − | 15. Practising, supporting or teaching the Dharma for financial profit and fame while saying that your motives are pure and that only others are pursuing Dharma for such base aims. | + | 15. Practising, supporting or [[teaching the Dharma]] for financial profit and [[fame]] while saying that your motives are [[pure]] and that only others are pursuing [[Dharma]] for such base aims. |
| − | 16. Telling others, even though you may have very little or no understanding of Sunyata, that if they obtain as profound an understanding as you have, that then they will become as great and as highly realised as you are. | + | 16. Telling others, even though you may have very little or no [[understanding]] of [[Sunyata]], that if they obtain as profound an [[understanding]] as you have, that then they will become as great and as highly realised as you are. |
| − | 17. Taking gifts from others and encouraging others to give you things originally intended as offerings to the Three jewels of Refuge. | + | 17. Taking gifts from others and encouraging others to give you things originally intended as [[offerings]] to the [[Three jewels]] of [[Refuge]]. |
| − | 18. Taking anything away from those monks who are practising meditation and giving it to those who are merely reciting texts. | + | 18. Taking anything away from those [[monks]] who are [[practising meditation]] and giving it to those who are merely reciting texts. |
| − | The forty-six auxiliary vows are to abandon the following actions: | + | The forty-six auxiliary [[vows]] are to abandon the following [[actions]]: |
| − | 1. Not making offerings every day to the Three Jewels of Refuge with your body, speech and mind by making prostrations, offering praises and doing meditation on their good qualities in order to develop respectful belief and confidence in them. | + | 1. Not making [[offerings]] every day to the [[Three Jewels]] of [[Refuge]] with your [[body, speech and mind]] by making [[prostrations]], [[offering]] praises and doing [[meditation]] on their good qualities in order to develop respectful [[belief]] and [[confidence]] in them. |
| − | 2. Following and acting out thoughts with which you desire to grasp and possess things because of discontent. 3. Not showing respect to older monks who may be Bodhisattvas. | + | 2. Following and acting out [[thoughts]] with which you [[desire]] to [[grasp]] and possess things because of {{Wiki|discontent}}. 3. Not showing [[respect]] to older [[monks]] who may be [[Bodhisattvas]]. |
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| − | 5. Not accepting invitations from others because of either anger, wanting to hurt the other persons feelings; pride, considering yourself of too exalted a rank to be with more humble people; or jealousy, thinking other people of more respected rank than yourself will look down on you if you are seen with humble people. | + | 5. Not accepting invitations from others because of either [[anger]], wanting to {{Wiki|hurt}} the other persons [[feelings]]; [[pride]], considering yourself of too [[exalted]] a rank to be with more [[humble]] [[people]]; or [[jealousy]], [[thinking]] other [[people]] of more respected rank than yourself will look down on you if you are seen with [[humble]] [[people]]. |
| − | 6. Not accepting gifts of money and so forth from others because of either anger, pride or jealousy. | + | 6. Not accepting gifts of [[money]] and so forth from others because of either [[anger]], [[pride]] or [[jealousy]]. |
| − | 7. Not teaching the Dharma to those who wish to learn it. | + | 7. Not [[teaching the Dharma]] to those who wish to learn it. |
| − | 8. Ignoring, not forgiving and not helping those who have broken their discipline of moral self-control. | + | 8. Ignoring, not forgiving and not helping those who have broken their [[discipline]] of [[moral]] [[self-control]]. |
| − | 9. Not teaching someone another aspect of the Dharma which he wishes to learn and which you are qualified to teach, but which is not your own personal practice or interest. | + | 9. Not [[teaching]] someone another aspect of the [[Dharma]] which he wishes to learn and which you are qualified to teach, but which is not your [[own]] personal practice or [[interest]]. |
| − | 10. Not committing one of the seven non-virtuous actions of the body and speech with a Bodhicitta motivation, if circumstances deem it necessary, by saying that to do so would be against the vowed rules of moral conduct. | + | 10. Not committing one of the seven [[non-virtuous actions]] of the [[body]] and {{Wiki|speech}} with a [[Bodhicitta]] [[motivation]], if circumstances deem it necessary, by saying that to do so would be against the [[vowed]] {{Wiki|rules}} of [[moral conduct]]. |
| − | 11. Not committing one of the seven non-virtuous actions of the body and speech with a Bodhicitta motivation, if circumstances deem it necessary, because of lack of compassion. | + | 11. Not committing one of the seven [[non-virtuous actions]] of the [[body]] and {{Wiki|speech}} with a [[Bodhicitta]] [[motivation]], if circumstances deem it necessary, because of lack of [[compassion]]. |
| − | 12. Accepting things from others who have obtained them by one of the five wrong livelihoods, namely flattery, extortion or blackmail, contrivance, bribery or deceit. | + | 12. Accepting things from others who have obtained them by one of the five wrong livelihoods, namely flattery, extortion or blackmail, contrivance, bribery or [[deceit]]. |
| − | 13. Having your main interest be in frivolous activities such as entertainment, sports, drinking, being silly and so forth, causing your mind to wander and you to waste your time limitlessly, which you could be using more constructively for the practice of Dharma. | + | 13. Having your main [[interest]] be in frivolous [[activities]] such as {{Wiki|entertainment}}, [[sports]], drinking, being silly and so forth, causing your [[mind]] to wander and you to waste your time limitlessly, which you could be using more constructively for the [[practice of Dharma]]. |
| − | 14. Holding an attitude of wishing to escape from samsara by yourself alone. | + | 14. Holding an [[attitude]] of wishing to [[escape from samsara]] by yourself alone. |
| − | 15. Not keeping these Bodhicitta vows because you think this will make you unpopular. | + | 15. Not keeping these [[Bodhicitta]] [[vows]] because you think this will make you unpopular. |
| − | 16. If you have broken one of your vows because of defilements, not doing opponent virtuous actions assigned to you. | + | 16. If you have broken one of your [[vows]] because of [[defilements]], not doing opponent [[virtuous actions]] assigned to you. |
| − | 17. Still becoming angry, while you are practising virtue, and retaliating if you are hit, scolded, called a derogatory name or are the object of someones anger. | + | 17. Still becoming [[angry]], while you are practising [[virtue]], and retaliating if you are hit, scolded, called a derogatory [[name]] or are the [[object]] of someones [[anger]]. |
| − | 18. Neglecting to help those who are angry with you. | + | 18. Neglecting to help those who are [[angry]] with you. |
| − | 19. Refusing to accept the apology of others who admit they have wronged you. 20. Following and acting out thoughts of anger. | + | 19. Refusing to accept the [[apology]] of others who admit they have wronged you. 20. Following and acting out [[thoughts]] of [[anger]]. |
| − | Produced by Dharma Therapy Trust under the guidance of Venerable Geshé Damchö Yönten | + | Produced by [[Dharma]] Therapy [[Trust]] under the guidance of [[Venerable]] [[Geshé Damchö Yönten]] |
| − | 21. Gathering a circle of disciples and followers because you wish to obtain such things as profit, praise, love and security from them. | + | 21. [[Gathering]] a circle of [[disciples]] and followers because you wish to obtain such things as profit, praise, [[love]] and {{Wiki|security}} from them. |
| − | 22. Not eliminating from yourself such obstacles as laziness, procrastination, delusions of incapability and wasting your time and energy on trivial matters of samsara. | + | 22. Not eliminating from yourself such [[obstacles]] as [[laziness]], procrastination, [[delusions]] of incapability and wasting your time and [[energy]] on [[trivial]] matters of [[samsara]]. |
| − | 23. Being addicted to frivolous talk and gossip about sex, drinks, drugs, sectarianism and so forth because of your attachment and desire for them. | + | 23. Being addicted to frivolous talk and {{Wiki|gossip}} about {{Wiki|sex}}, drinks, [[drugs]], {{Wiki|sectarianism}} and so forth because of your [[attachment]] and [[desire]] for them. |
| − | 24. Not making an effort to study the means for attaining single-minded concentration. | + | 24. Not making an [[effort]] to study the means for [[attaining]] single-minded [[concentration]]. |
| − | 25. Not eliminating the distractions that block your meditation. | + | 25. Not eliminating the {{Wiki|distractions}} that block your [[meditation]]. |
| − | 26. Seeing the exhilarating good feelings and other benefits you obtain from meditation as being ends in themselves, and being attached to them. | + | 26. [[Seeing]] the exhilarating good [[feelings]] and other benefits you obtain from [[meditation]] as being ends in themselves, and [[being attached]] to them. |
| − | 27. Neglecting to study the Hinayana teachings. | + | 27. Neglecting to study the [[Hinayana]] teachings. |
| − | 28. Turning to another means of practice when you already are following an effective means yourself, for this would be like changing teachers and vehicles in mid-stream once you are on a steady and sure course to Enlightenment. | + | 28. Turning to another means of practice when you already are following an effective means yourself, for this would be like changing [[teachers]] and vehicles in mid-stream once you are on a steady and sure course to [[Enlightenment]]. |
| − | 29. Spending all your time and energy on reading non-Buddhist teachings which, although permitted and even beneficial for enabling you to understand and help others, should not be pursued to the neglect of studying the Dharma. | + | 29. Spending all your time and [[energy]] on reading [[non-Buddhist]] teachings which, although permitted and even beneficial for enabling you to understand and help others, should not be pursued to the neglect of studying the [[Dharma]]. |
| − | 30. Favouring and becoming attached to non-Buddhist teachings even when merely reading about them. | + | 30. Favouring and becoming [[attached]] to [[non-Buddhist]] teachings even when merely reading about them. |
| − | 31. Rejecting the Mahayana teachings. | + | 31. Rejecting the [[Mahayana teachings]]. |
| − | 32. Praising yourself and belittling others in general because of arrogance or anger. | + | 32. Praising yourself and belittling others in general because of [[arrogance]] or [[anger]]. |
| − | 33. Not attending religious discourses, meetings, pujas, ceremonies and so forth. | + | 33. Not attending [[religious]] [[discourses]], meetings, [[pujas]], {{Wiki|ceremonies}} and so forth. |
| − | 34. Despising your Guru and not relying on his words. | + | 34. Despising your [[Guru]] and not relying on his words. |
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| − | 36. Avoiding taking care of sick people. | + | 36. Avoiding taking [[care]] of sick [[people]]. |
| − | 37. Not working to alleviate the physical suffering of others. | + | 37. Not working to alleviate the [[physical suffering]] of others. |
| − | 38. Not showing the teachings of the Dharma to those who are unaware of them and who work only for this life. | + | 38. Not showing the teachings of the [[Dharma]] to those who are unaware of them and who work only for this [[life]]. |
| − | 39. Not repaying the kindness others have shown you. | + | 39. Not repaying the [[kindness]] others have shown you. |
| − | 40. Not working to relieve the mental grief of others. | + | 40. Not working to relieve the [[mental]] [[grief]] of others. |
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| − | 42. Not taking care of your circle of disciples, relatives, attendants and friends by giving them teachings and material aid. | + | 42. Not taking [[care]] of your circle of [[disciples]], relatives, attendants and friends by giving them teachings and material aid. |
| − | 43. Not encouraging and supporting the practice of Dharma and the virtuous actions of others. | + | 43. Not encouraging and supporting the [[practice of Dharma]] and the [[virtuous actions]] of others. |
44. Not praising and encouraging others who deserve praise. | 44. Not praising and encouraging others who deserve praise. | ||
| − | 45. Not preventing those who are committing harmful actions in general, and, specifically those who are a menace to the Dharma, from continuing their harm by whatever means are deemed necessary by circumstances. | + | 45. Not preventing those who are committing harmful [[actions]] in general, and, specifically those who are a menace to the [[Dharma]], from continuing their harm by whatever means are deemed necessary by circumstances. |
| − | 46. If you possess extra-physical powers, not using them at a time of need. | + | 46. If you possess extra-physical [[powers]], not using them at a time of need. |
| − | There are four attitudes that must all be present in transgressing any vow for a vow to be broken completely. With the first attitude, you do not regard what you have done as being a mistake. With the second, you do not turn away from thinking to repeat this action. With the third, you rejoice and are happy about what you have done. | + | There are four attitudes that must all be {{Wiki|present}} in transgressing any [[vow]] for a [[vow]] to be broken completely. With the first [[attitude]], you do not regard what you have done as being a mistake. With the second, you do not turn away from [[thinking]] to repeat this [[action]]. With the third, you rejoice and are [[happy]] about what you have done. |
| − | And with the fourth attitude, being shameless and inconsiderate, you do not care about the consequences of your action for yourself and for others. If you break any of these Bodhicitta vows, you must invoke the four opponent powers of declaring your previously committed non-virtuous actions in order to avoid experiencing their black karmic consequences. Then you must retake the Bodhicitta vows at an appropriate ceremony. | + | And with [[the fourth]] [[attitude]], being shameless and inconsiderate, you do not [[care]] about the {{Wiki|consequences}} of your [[action]] for yourself and for others. If you break any of these [[Bodhicitta]] [[vows]], you must invoke the four opponent [[powers]] of declaring your previously committed [[non-virtuous actions]] in order to avoid experiencing their black [[karmic]] {{Wiki|consequences}}. Then you must retake the [[Bodhicitta]] [[vows]] at an appropriate {{Wiki|ceremony}}. |
Revision as of 17:54, 2 February 2020
THE EIGHTEEN ROOT BODHICITTA VOWS
1. Praising yourself and belittling others because of your attachment to receiving offerings, being respected and venerated as a teacher, and gaining profit in general.
2. Not giving material aid or teaching the Dharma to those who are pained with suffering and without a protector because of your being under the influence of miserliness, wanting to amass knowledge for yourself alone.
3. Not listening to someone who has previously offended you but who declares his offence and begs forgiveness, and holding a grudge against him.
4. Condemning the teachings of Buddha and teaching distorted views.
5. Taking offerings to the Three Jewels of Refuge for yourself by such means as stealth, robbery or devious schemes.
6. Despising the Tripitaka and saying that these texts are not the teachings of Buddha.
7. Evicting monks from a monastery or casting them out of the Sangha even if they have broken their vows, because of not forgiving them.
8. Committing any of the five heinous crimes of killing your mother, your father, an Arhat, drawing blood intentionally from a Buddha or causing division in the Sangha by supporting and spreading sectarian views.
9. Holding views contrary to the teachings of Buddha such as sectarianism, disbelief in the Three Jewels of Refuge, the law of cause and effect and so forth.
10. Completely destroying any place by such means as fire, bombs, pollution and black magic.
11. Teaching Sunyata to those who are not yet ready to understand it. 12. Turning people away from working for the Full Enlightenment of Buddhahood and encouraging them to work merely for their own Liberation from suffering. 13. Encouraging people to abandon their vowed rules of moral conduct.
14. Causing others to hold the distorted views you might hold about the Hinayana teachings, as well as belittling the Hinayana teachings and saying that their practice does not lead to Nirvana.
15. Practising, supporting or teaching the Dharma for financial profit and fame while saying that your motives are pure and that only others are pursuing Dharma for such base aims.
16. Telling others, even though you may have very little or no understanding of Sunyata, that if they obtain as profound an understanding as you have, that then they will become as great and as highly realised as you are.
17. Taking gifts from others and encouraging others to give you things originally intended as offerings to the Three jewels of Refuge.
18. Taking anything away from those monks who are practising meditation and giving it to those who are merely reciting texts.
The forty-six auxiliary vows are to abandon the following actions:
1. Not making offerings every day to the Three Jewels of Refuge with your body, speech and mind by making prostrations, offering praises and doing meditation on their good qualities in order to develop respectful belief and confidence in them.
2. Following and acting out thoughts with which you desire to grasp and possess things because of discontent. 3. Not showing respect to older monks who may be Bodhisattvas.
4. Not answering questions you are capable of answering.
5. Not accepting invitations from others because of either anger, wanting to hurt the other persons feelings; pride, considering yourself of too exalted a rank to be with more humble people; or jealousy, thinking other people of more respected rank than yourself will look down on you if you are seen with humble people.
6. Not accepting gifts of money and so forth from others because of either anger, pride or jealousy.
7. Not teaching the Dharma to those who wish to learn it.
8. Ignoring, not forgiving and not helping those who have broken their discipline of moral self-control.
9. Not teaching someone another aspect of the Dharma which he wishes to learn and which you are qualified to teach, but which is not your own personal practice or interest.
10. Not committing one of the seven non-virtuous actions of the body and speech with a Bodhicitta motivation, if circumstances deem it necessary, by saying that to do so would be against the vowed rules of moral conduct.
11. Not committing one of the seven non-virtuous actions of the body and speech with a Bodhicitta motivation, if circumstances deem it necessary, because of lack of compassion.
12. Accepting things from others who have obtained them by one of the five wrong livelihoods, namely flattery, extortion or blackmail, contrivance, bribery or deceit.
13. Having your main interest be in frivolous activities such as entertainment, sports, drinking, being silly and so forth, causing your mind to wander and you to waste your time limitlessly, which you could be using more constructively for the practice of Dharma.
14. Holding an attitude of wishing to escape from samsara by yourself alone.
15. Not keeping these Bodhicitta vows because you think this will make you unpopular.
16. If you have broken one of your vows because of defilements, not doing opponent virtuous actions assigned to you.
17. Still becoming angry, while you are practising virtue, and retaliating if you are hit, scolded, called a derogatory name or are the object of someones anger.
18. Neglecting to help those who are angry with you.
19. Refusing to accept the apology of others who admit they have wronged you. 20. Following and acting out thoughts of anger.
Produced by Dharma Therapy Trust under the guidance of Venerable Geshé Damchö Yönten
21. Gathering a circle of disciples and followers because you wish to obtain such things as profit, praise, love and security from them.
22. Not eliminating from yourself such obstacles as laziness, procrastination, delusions of incapability and wasting your time and energy on trivial matters of samsara.
23. Being addicted to frivolous talk and gossip about sex, drinks, drugs, sectarianism and so forth because of your attachment and desire for them.
24. Not making an effort to study the means for attaining single-minded concentration.
25. Not eliminating the distractions that block your meditation.
26. Seeing the exhilarating good feelings and other benefits you obtain from meditation as being ends in themselves, and being attached to them.
27. Neglecting to study the Hinayana teachings.
28. Turning to another means of practice when you already are following an effective means yourself, for this would be like changing teachers and vehicles in mid-stream once you are on a steady and sure course to Enlightenment.
29. Spending all your time and energy on reading non-Buddhist teachings which, although permitted and even beneficial for enabling you to understand and help others, should not be pursued to the neglect of studying the Dharma.
30. Favouring and becoming attached to non-Buddhist teachings even when merely reading about them.
31. Rejecting the Mahayana teachings.
32. Praising yourself and belittling others in general because of arrogance or anger.
33. Not attending religious discourses, meetings, pujas, ceremonies and so forth.
34. Despising your Guru and not relying on his words.
35. Not giving help to those who need it,
36. Avoiding taking care of sick people.
37. Not working to alleviate the physical suffering of others.
38. Not showing the teachings of the Dharma to those who are unaware of them and who work only for this life.
39. Not repaying the kindness others have shown you.
40. Not working to relieve the mental grief of others.
41. Not giving material aid to the poor and needy.
42. Not taking care of your circle of disciples, relatives, attendants and friends by giving them teachings and material aid.
43. Not encouraging and supporting the practice of Dharma and the virtuous actions of others.
44. Not praising and encouraging others who deserve praise.
45. Not preventing those who are committing harmful actions in general, and, specifically those who are a menace to the Dharma, from continuing their harm by whatever means are deemed necessary by circumstances.
46. If you possess extra-physical powers, not using them at a time of need.
There are four attitudes that must all be present in transgressing any vow for a vow to be broken completely. With the first attitude, you do not regard what you have done as being a mistake. With the second, you do not turn away from thinking to repeat this action. With the third, you rejoice and are happy about what you have done.
And with the fourth attitude, being shameless and inconsiderate, you do not care about the consequences of your action for yourself and for others. If you break any of these Bodhicitta vows, you must invoke the four opponent powers of declaring your previously committed non-virtuous actions in order to avoid experiencing their black karmic consequences. Then you must retake the Bodhicitta vows at an appropriate ceremony.
