Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows

The Refuge Vow and Bodhisattva Vow are traditional vows that have been part of the Buddhist path for centuries. Taking a vow in a formal ceremony is a way to set our intention and to plant a deep seed of aspiration for the unfolding of our spiritual path.

In taking the Refuge Vow, we take refuge in the three jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

“In the Buddhist tradition, the purpose of taking refuge is to awaken from confusion and associate oneself with wakefulness… When we take refuge, we commit ourselves to the Buddhist path.” – Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

After taking the Refuge Vow and a period of further practice, the Bodhisattva Vow is a further expression of commitment to the Buddhist path of awakening, in which we take a vow to help all sentient beings.

Planting such a seed as the bodhisattva vow undermines ego and leads to a tremendous expansion of perspective. Such heroism, or bigness of mind, fills all of space completely, utterly, absolutely. Within such a vast perspective, nothing is claustrophobic and nothing is intimidating. There is only the vast idea of unceasingly helping all sentient beings, as limitless as space, along the path to enlightenment…
—Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Check our programs page periodically to see if any vows programs are scheduled.