Just as all the Buddhas of the past
Have brought forth the awakened mind,
And in the precepts of the Bodhisattvas
Step-by-step abode and trained,
Likewise, for the benefit of beings,
I will bring to birth the awakened mind,
And in those precepts, step-by-step,
I will abide and train myself
Dear Florida Community of Mindfulness Sangha, Several months ago, I ceremonially transmitted the Bodhisattva Vow to the fifteen participants in our five-year Dharma Transmission program. I based the vows and ceremony on verses found in Shantideva’s text, The Path of the Bodhisattva. The aspiration and commitment to live an awakened life and to unceasingly bring benefit to sentient beings is at the core of the Mahayana Buddhist path. It unites the path of wisdom and insight with the path of love and compassion, so our personal transformation always remains grounded with our interconnection with all life. Since transmitting the Bodhisattva Vow, I have received requests from other FCM members to open the transmission beyond the Dharma Transmission group. I’ve reflected on this for several months and have decided to have the first sangha transmission of the vow on February 4th, when we already plan to transmit the Five Mindfulness Trainings. As this is a profound and significant step for anyone contemplating such a vow, the first requirement for this transmission is that one has been involved in studying and practicing the Bodhisattva Way by participating in one of our past Intensives on the Shantideva text. Secondly, one will have begun to move beyond merely thinking about the commitment to live a compassionate and wise life to actually manifesting this commitment in the priorities and choices that one makes day-to-day. To request to receive the Bodhisattva Vow ceremonially and publicly on the morning of February 4th, please register using the link on this page. Registration will close on January 22. In the Dharma, Fred
Florida Community of Mindfulness, Tampa Center 6501 N. Nebraska Avenue Tampa, FL 33604
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