Taking the Bodhisattva Vow
Do you wish to take the Bodhisattva vow with Lama Shenpen?
The Bodhisattva vow is made as a formal commitment within Awakened Heart Sangha and in the coming year will take place at the Hermitage during the weekend of 16-18 August 2024.
It is expected that vows will be taken in person where practically possible, and otherwise online.
Ideally you would have been through both the Discovering the Heart of Buddhism materials and the Trusting the Heart of Buddhism course before the vow ceremony in August 2024.
It may be that you feel ready to take the Bodhisattva vow sooner than completing THB and you are welcome to get in touch whenever you feel ready. The timing of the vow is a very individual thing.
It is expected that you will have already taken Refuge with Lama Shenpen or with another Buddhist teacher in the past. Some people may have taken the Bodhisattva vow before with another teacher and wish to take it again to forge a strong connection with Lama Shenpen. The wish to take the Bodhisattva vow within the Awakened Heart Sangha (with Lama Shenpen as your Preceptor) will naturally encompass the sense of a heart connection with Lama Shenpen through her teachings.
If you feel drawn to making the Bodhisattva vow with Lama Shenpen (or are just interested in finding out more) the first step is to read through the Bodhisattva section of the Vows Booklet by Lama Shenpen, outlining what it means to make the Bodhisattva vow within the Awakened Heart Sangha. You can buy it here
After that, please contact Rangdrol to arrange an initial chat - a space to express how you feel about the prospect of taking this important vow and to raise any questions you may have, before deciding whether to sign up for taking the Bodhisattva vow in June 2024.
[email protected]ku.gro.sha@lordgnar
To prepare for making the Bodhisattva within AHS, it is expected that aspirant vow takers will engage in some regular preparatory reading plus attending a series of reflective fortnightly group sessions, starting March 2024. (Sessions will be recorded for those who are unable to attend in person)
Please be aware that the cut off date for expressing interest in formally taking the Bodhisattva vow in August 2024 is 31st December 2023