The Bodhisattva Vows Explained

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In Mahayana Buddhism, the bodhisattva vow is taken when one has developed engaged bodhicitta and feels compelled to achieve full Buddhahood for the sake of all living beings.

The Vow Of A Bodhisattva

Most of us would agree that all beings everywhere deserve to be happy and free of their pain. It is a nice thing to say. In practical terms, however, we may struggle with the question of whether all people deserve happiness, all the time, especially if they have hurt us or others.

But as we cultivate aspiring bodhicitta by meditating on interconnectedness, equanimity and compassion, there becomes no question. We cannot experience the highest happiness until everyone does. We cannot be free from hardship or suffering until all others are also free.

To be compelled to action by this feeling, in our hearts and in our bones, is to step into engaged bodhicitta. It is then we might consider taking the vow of a bodhisattva.
What are the bodhisattva vows?

In Buddhism, a vow is a promise, a commitment, a resolution that seals our intention. Vows are typically taken in front of a witness, a mentor, teacher and/or divine entity whom we deeply revere and hope never to let down. The ritual of taking a vow strengthens the karma and merit of our intentions, words and actions.

Buddhist vows include the refuge vows, the 5 lay precept vows and the bodhisattva vows, in that order.

Refuge Vows: Having let go of the mistaken thought that samsara could ever offer us anything but disappointment, we renounce the ordinary way of doing things and take refuge in the three jewels.

Five Precepts: To maintain a clear mind in support of our practice, we commit to non-harming. As our practice continues, we also see that by being good (keeping our karma clean) and practicing goodness (building merit) we progress more quickly along the path.

Bodhisattva Vows: As wisdom and compassion deepen, it becomes clear that our freedom is not complete until all others are free. The quickest way to enlightenment is to grab others by the hand and take them with us. With the bodhisattva vow we make this promise.

What do we promise with the bodhisattva vow?

To take a bodhisattva vow is to say, yes, I am prepared to take every action necessary to help others. It is a commitment to practice the six paramitas, or six perfections of giving and the rest. And, it is a commitment to keep the vows by refraining from the 18 root downfalls and the 46 secondary offenses. Committing to such practices and restraints is the best chance we have for reaching enlightenment for the sake of all beings, for whom we have taken responsibility.

For how long do we take the bodhisattva vow?

The refuge vows and five precepts are commitments we make for this life only (or sometimes shorter than that). The bodhisattva vows, however, remain with us throughout our subsequent lives until we reach enlightenment. Thus the vow remains as a seed, one we can grow and strengthen by retaking the vows as many times as we’d like to. Some repeat their vows daily.

What breaks a bodhisattva vow?

To keep our vows, we must first understand the bodhisattva vow meaning. With these vows, we do not merely wish for the happiness of all others, but take responsibility for seeing to it that all beings indeed find happiness. We commit to exchanging places with others by putting them first, something which goes against our habit.

Vigilance, in the form of mindfulness and awareness, also helps us keep our vows. We are not only vigilant in thinking about others, but take great care not to transgress the 18 root downfalls and 46 secondary offenses. To commit a root downfall is to lose our bodhisattva vows. It is to take a step backwards on our spiritual path.

If we do break a root downfall and lose our vows, we can still change our ways. We can purify the transgression with a confession and meditation on kindness and compassion, retake our vows and begin anew. Thus, the perceived enormity of the great bodhisattva vows should not prevent us from walking the bodhisattva path. Becoming a bodhisattva is something we all have the innate capacity to do.