Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony and Commentary with Geshe Sonam
In preparation for the special Medicine Buddha Healing Initiation, Geshe la will give pith instructions on bodhicitta and guide a meditation on how to generate this deep mind of kindness, finishing with a ceremony to receive the bodhisattva vows. While these vows will be offered during the initiation ceremony on Sunday, they will be done so there in an extremely abbreviated way. This vows ceremony provides a contemplative approach to receiving the vows, along with practical instructions for arising the mind of bodhicitta itself.
This session is optional and not necessary to attend the Medicine Buddha initiation, which will be given on Sunday, October 26th. See below for details.
The Eighteen Bodhisattva Vows: A bodhisattva is an awakened being who embodies bodhichitta: the aspiration to attain full enlightenment in order to help all sentient beings. There are eighteen bodhisattva root vows (and forty-six branch vows) given in various Mahayana Buddhist practice contexts in order to help guide and train the practitioner in the behavior of a bodhisattva.
When: Saturday, October 25th, 2025, 10:00 – 11:00 am EDT (Time Zone Converter – Time Difference Calculator)
Where: Online and in-person.
1287 Coric Ave, Burlington, ON L7R 3S4
* We welcome you to attend the teachings in person! However, given the small size of the room, and that we are broadcasting live on Zoom and Social Media, please arrive more than 10 minutes before the beginning of the session, and please do let us know one day prior by emailing us at [email protected] that you are attending in person, so we know to expect you.
Register ahead to watch on Zoom. The same link will be used for the Medicine Buddha initiation below.
This Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony will also be live-streamed on Facebook or YouTube.
Permission Initiation (Jenang) of Medicine Buddha
The Medicine Buddha, Bhaiṣajyaguru, is one of the most revered Buddha figures of Mahāyāna Buddhism. This is one of the most effective practices for healing, through purifying and diminishing of the afflictive states which block the arising of good health and happiness. From his eastern pure land of Vaiḍūryanirbhāsa, he continuously benefits sentient beings through the power of his twelve vows.
No matter how heavy negative karma is collected, mistakes one did, even, if you do the Medicine Buddha practice, completely get purified. And also, Medicine Buddha is most powerful thing for success. If you chant Medicine Buddha’s name mantra, practice that, most powerful for success, then, makes everything so easy. – Kyabje Lama Zopa Rinpoche
In this Jenang initiation ceremony, Geshe Sonam will lead us through a series of blessings, consecrations, and visualizations to connect us with the profound qualities of the holy body, speech, mind, and enlightened activities of the Medicine Buddha. This initiation is a gateway to the many practices of Bhaiṣajyaguru, explained in both the sūtras and tantras as a supreme pathway to profound healing. The practice is also a powerful way to pray for the success of medical treatments of those who are sick, the smooth passage to positive rebirths for those who have passed away, and for the success of beneficial worldly projects as well.
Lama Zopa Rinpoche encouraged his students to pray to the Medicine Buddhas regularly. He explains the benefits of the practice here:
https://fpmt.org/lama-zopa-
NOTE: Lama Yeshe Ling’s 2025 New Year’s Retreat will be based on the Medicine Buddha Practice.
When: Sunday, October 26th, 2025, 12:00 – 2:00 pm EDT
Time Zone Converter – Time Difference Calculator
Where: Burlington Public Library, Central Branch, Centennial Hall, and online.
2331 New St, Burlington, ON L7R 1J4, Canada
In-person attendance is encouraged for the initiation when possible, and streaming online will be available for those who are not able to come in person.
Visit here for in-person registration
This will help us to be better prepared to welcome you to the initiation.
Register ahead to watch online on Zoom.
The same will be used for the Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony and Commentary above.
Note: The initiation will be streamed on Zoom only. It will not be streamed to Facebook or YouTube. The initiation will not be recorded.
Please see below for how you can contribute to the success of this empowerment. There you will find opportunities to volunteer during the event (sign-up form coming), as well as a form to sponsor this Medicine Buddha Initiation (Jenang).
Geshe Sonam has said that the empowerment is received by taking the Refuge and Bodhisattva vows and commitments. Geshe la is allowing participants to experience this ceremony as a blessing rather than as an empowerment, without Refuge and Bodhisattva vows or commitments if they wish, however, doing the Medicine Buddha practice is far more powerful after having received the empowerment. If you wish to take the empowerment, then, with that intention, repeat the vows out loud when instructed to do so during the initiation. If you wish to simply receive a blessing during this ceremony, maintain the intention to receive a blessing, and remain silent when asked to repeat the words of the commitments.
Geshe la requests that participants avoid meat, eggs, and the five pungent plants (onions, garlic, shallots, leeks, and chives) the morning of the initiation. After receiving the initiation, these restrictions are relaxed.
Resources:
Teaching by Lama Yeshe: The Bodhisattva Vows
Which Vows Are Which? A Beginner’s Guide – Mandala Publications (fpmt.org)
More information on the root infractions (downfalls) can be found here: https://studybuddhism.com/en/advanced-studies/prayers-rituals/vows/root-bodhisattva-vows
Calling All Aspiring Bodhisattvas – We will need your help
Join our Aspiring Bodhisattva Crew to create skies of virtue in joyful service, supporting the Medicine Buddha Initiation. Don’t miss this precious opportunity to be a crucial part of a deeply meaningful experience for yourself and others.
Please click on the following link to sign up: volunteersignup.org/RECDA
Opportunity to Sponsor this Medicine Buddha Initiation
Sponsoring the teachings helps to make the teachings available to everyone. In this way, we are able to practice the generosity of giving of the Dharma and thereby create vast amounts of merit. Our programs are given freely, and we rely also on your generosity – this is the traditional and pure way of the Buddha Dharma. Offering support for the Dharma can be a limitlessly powerful act. This is the highest, most long-term form of generosity, which is to share with others the path to full awakening. Offering support deepens our connection to Dharma teachers and connects us as a community.
Remember to make an aspiration/dedication to accomplish your goals for yourself and others before making the offering. With clear intention, we can create causes to accomplish the welfare of both ourselves and all sentient beings, or of any heartfelt cause.