In preparation for the special Medicine Buddha Healing Initiation, Geshe Sonam 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 allows 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. More details about the Medicine Buddha Initiation here.
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 will be used for the Medicine Buddha initiation on Sunday, October 26th, 2025.
This Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony will also be live-streamed on Facebook or YouTube.
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
Stay tuned for opportunities to collect vast merit through volunteering to help with the event.
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.
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