Overview
DATES: Saturday 16th May
TIME: 2 pm to 3:30 pm
LOCATION: In Person and Online
LEVEL: The Refuge Ceremony is for those who wish to become Buddhist practitioners.
The Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony is for those who have already have taken refuge, have studied Buddhism in depth, have decided that the Mahayana Path is for them and are committed to achieving enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Refuge Ceremony:
The Refuge Ceremony is for those who wish to become Buddhist practitioners.
When you take refuge in the three jewels. You are committing to the Buddhist Path by
Trusting the Buddha as a teacher
The Dharma as the true path leading to liberation from Samsara (Suffering)
The Sangha as support
You can take refuge yourself in front of a statue of Buddha, but it is a really beautiful experience to have opportunity to take refuge with a refuge master.
When you take refuge, you aren’t committing to any particular Buddhist tradition or school of Buddhism. Just to the three jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
Lama Yeshe said: ‘When you take refuge in Buddhadharma, the important point is that you have recognized your own profound potential, and from the beginning can see that, “I can do something; I can take responsibility for liberating myself.”’
It is important to be clear before taking refuge, what is involved and what commitments you are going to take. Please read more about refuge in this FPMT Booklet: Refuge in the Three Jewels. Send any questions you have about taking refuge to Chrissie on spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk
Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony:
The Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony is for those who have already have taken refuge, have studied Buddhism in depth, have decided that the Mahayana Path is for them and are committed to achieving enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.
There are two aspects to taking the Bodhisattva Vows:
Wishing (Aspiring ) Bodhicitta
Engaging Bodhicitta
When generating Aspiring Bodhicitta by way of ritual, one makes the promise in front of a master or a visualised field of merit, that one will practice actual Bodhicitta and work for the benefit of sentient beings until one has reached enlightenment. It entails keeping to the five precepts.
You develop Engaging Bodhicitta by taking the actual Bodhisattva Vows. When you take the actual Bodhisattva Vows you commit yourself to engaging in the Bodhisattva conduct - the practice of the six perfections - in addition to the previous commitments. This is ensured by keeping the 18 root and 46 secondary Bodhisattva Vows.
Lama Zopa said: ‘When you live in vows, not only are you not harming others but for twenty-fours a day you are constantly creating merit—while you eat, talk, walk and do all your activities, and even while you’re sleeping. This makes life so meaningful, so enjoyable’
It is important to be clear before taking Bodhisattva Vows, what is involved and what vows you are promising to take and what to do if you break a vow. Please read more about the Bodhisattva vows in this FPMT Booklet The Bodhisattva Vows also in this very useful Bodhisattva Vows Overview from Venerable Losang Gendun of The Buddha Project. Send any questions about taking Bodhisattva Vows to Chrissie on spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk
Message from Geshe Rinchen if you are considering taking either Refuge or Bodhisattva Vows :
‘Motivation is the most important aspect to prepare for both before and during the actual ceremony.
For students participating in the refuge ceremony, you become Buddhists, meaning you have decided to take refuge in the Three Jewels to free yourself or others. For this, you need to recite the refuge prayers in the morning three times when you wake up and generate a sincere and rational trust in the Three Jewels, considering them the only object of refuge to safeguard and protect you.
For students taking bodhisattva vows, you also need to recite the refuge prayers three times in the morning to prepare yourself to dedicate your practice for the benefit of all sentient beings. In doing so, you should foster a mind that you will never abandon the bodhicitta for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Please review the texts before attending the ceremony to prepare yourself. You need to have a basic understanding so that you can be ready. If you have any questions please send them to Chrissie and she will forward them to me. I am happy to give refuge names, for those of you taking refuge.
Whilst motivation is the most important thing, please bring fruits, flowers or candles to offer to the three jewels on the altar.’
ABOUT YOUR refuge / Bodhisattva Vow master: Geshe Rinchen Wangyal
Geshe Rinchen has dedicated his life to the study and practice of the Buddha’s teachings. He completed rigorous training in Buddhist philosophy, debate, and meditation, achieving the esteemed title of Geshe, the doctorate degree in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
His teachings are known for their clarity, warmth, and practical applicability, making profound topics accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Currently resident teacher at Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, Geshe Rinchen combines his deep knowledge with genuine compassion, inspiring students to cultivate inner peace and wisdom in their own lives.