At Saga Dawa
Each year for as long as I've been in the Sangha, the weekend closest to the full moon at Saga Dawa has been an occasion of celebration as Lama Shenpen acts as the preceptor for those wishing to enter into the Mandala of Awakening, by taking their Refuge vow, or standing for the Mahayana path making their Bodhisattva vow.
This year was particularly special, it seemed.
I think it must be related to the way we have developed the pathway in recent years that supports members in taking their vow.
From the moment someone expresses the wish to take the vow with Lama Shenpen, they are held and given teachings to explore what it means both for them personally but also from the point of view of the tradition, and of course with the teachings of Lama Shenpen that frames it.
Then they are supported in knowing what to expect from the day itself. Which continues all the way through the vow ritual itself.
As a consequence, it felt like this was the most relaxed, informed and spiritually ready group I have seen.
I found it very moving.
Lama Shenpen asked me to say a few words to introduce the day before handing over to her, and I said that I think it's the most important gathering of the year.
Much of what we do as a Sangha is about drawing out what these two vows are really about, and we have developed our own ways to express it for this generation of people at this particular point in time ... but the moment of someone actually taking the vow is something that stands outside of that limited expression and I think we all recognized it.
The vows team of Rangdrol, Gewar, Gangadevi Tara and Norbu have been supporting the vow takers over these past few months to prepare for taking their vows. For the weekend itself the team was held by Eli to bring everything together and we had Katja joining to cook for everyone at the start of her own personal retreat at the Hermitage. It all appeared to be held with such ease and enjoyment.
I thought to share a comment from one vow taker who travelled from New York to take the Refuge vow:
It is so hard to find words to express how I feel.
I had no idea how precious the Hermitage and everyone in it is.
All of you let me into a sacred mandala.
Cared for me, fed me, gave me a place to stay and taught me how to be human.
Being there was like being in a dream within a dream and now so far away it seems more real than the ground under my feet.
- Pekar Dawdzin
We are now looking at ways to integrate taking vows into the sangha structure, inviting everyone who is interested in going deeper into the sangha to explore what Refuge and Bodhisattva vows mean in the context of vaster vision. The vows team will send out an email shortly with details on how you might find out more.
Thank you to everyone involved and especially to the vow takers!
(If you don't see the photo below in your email click here to view)
Vow takers at the Hermitage with Lama Shenpen, Lama Dashon and Lama Tara
(L-R) Sue / Urgyen Tsomo, Pauline / Tashi Ngedön, Elliot / Dondrub Tajin, Stuart / Namyang Ngu, Antonio / Pekar Dawdzin, Pema (Bodhisattva Shiway Özer), Danielle / Drogön Jinpa
And taking their vows online were: Jinny / Riwo Gyalmo, Jinpa (Bodhisattva Sangjay Chökor), Sherab/Sue (Bodhisattva Jinpa Yeshe), Ushnishamani (Bodhisattva Sonam Gyamtso)