What is the Bodhisattva vow? The bodhisattva vow
is actually based on love and compassion. And this love and compassion is expanded to all beings. But the main
important thing is to really want to help
all beings to connect with
their true nature. Including yourself. “Bodhi” means
“enlightenment,” and “chitta” means “mind.” Enlightenment means we all have this
enlightened nature within us, our fundamental nature, or what we call
“buddha nature” or “basic innate goodness” — that is “bodhi.” And [bodhichitta] is
wanting to lead all of us, including yourself
and all beings, to recognize that true nature. So, whatever you do — practicing, engaging more in virtue, generosity, morals, ethics, patience, effort, meditation, wisdom, or whatever you do —
is for that purpose. It is like making a commitment in the mind, although if you take the vow, it does not mean, “From today on,
I will never be angry, and I will never have
conflicts with others.” It does not mean that. Even though you are fighting
with someone, deep in your mind
you think, “If I can help that being to go beyond their hatred and suffering and lead them
to their true nature, I will do so.” That is the meaning
of the bodhisattva vow. And if you are ready to help
all beings out of love and compassion — in a way that leads them to the deeper level
of themselves — if you are ready for that, you can take
the bodhisattva vow. Do we need to take refuge before the vow or not? Normally,
the bodhisattva vow and refuge go together. This is because the “Buddha” means
our true nature. Enlightenment is the Buddha, and the practice
that helps for that — “I am going to do
the practices that lead to buddhahood” —
is the Dharma. And the friends, whoever we practice with,
are the Sangha. So refuge is also included. But again, some people think refuge is not religious. We become Buddhists. . . When we take refuge,
we become Buddhists. But whether Buddhism is
a religion or not depends on you, right? Sometimes
many people who say they have become Buddhists
do not become religious. Or you think of it as religious —
it is up to you. But basically, refuge
and the bodhichitta vow come together and rely on love and compassion, and really wanting to lead yourself and all beings to the full recognition
of our true nature.
