Sentient beings are numberless; I vow to save them.

Desires are inexhaustible; I vow to put an end to them.

The Dharmas are boundless; I vow to master them.

The Buddha Way is unattainable; I vow to attain it.

The fundamental teaching of Mahayana Buddhism is that all beings inherently possess Buddha-nature, the seed of awakening, and can awaken in this lifetime.  The spiritual ideal is that of a Bodhisattva, someone who has aroused bodhicitta, the compassionate wish to help all beings attain Buddhahood.   

The Four Bodhisattva Vows are a concrete expression of this wish.  They are chanted at the end of services at Mahayana Buddhist centers around the world.   They express our profound vows as Bodhisattvas – to save beings from suffering, to let go of delusion, to master the Buddha’s teachings, and to awaken in each moment of our lives. 

But the language used to express these Great Vows is paradoxical and mysterious. How can we possibly save all sentient beings? Do we really want to end all desire?  The Four Vows are seemingly impossible.  It’s their impossibility that gives them their power.  

This two and half hour experiential workshop explores the history and meaning of the Bodhisattva Vows, and allows us to explore how they manifest in our lives.

The workshop is being offered at Shakti Yoga in Maplewood NJ. Please register here.