Bodhisattva Vows

The Path to Peace of Mind (August 1)

Posted on

This week we will consider the fourth of the Four Universal Bodhisattva Vows, “Unsurpassed is Awakening, I vow to attain it.”

As we proceed on our life’s journey, the wisdom of the Buddha illuminates our path to awakening.  The ship of the Buddha’s compassion carries us across the ocean of painful existence to a life of lasting peace and bliss.

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Taiso Morning Exercise
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Shotsuki Hoyo Monthly Memorial Service

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

Finding Your Gate to Awakening (July 25)

Posted on

This week we will consider the third of the Four Universal Bodhisattva Vows, “Dharma gates are inexhaustible, I vow to know them all.” There are 84,000 different Dharma gates through which we can enter into the true wisdom taught by the Buddha, so we must each find our own path to awakening.  For those struggling to find their way in these uncertain times, Amida Buddha established the Pure Land Gate through which all beings can easily enter into the realm of peace and bliss. 

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Shoshinge Sofu Chanting
9:00 a.m. Taiso Morning Exercise
9:30 a.m. Dharma Service
10:30 a.m. Japanese Language Service 日本語法要

To join us for this online Dharma Service, CLICK HERE to sign up for “Live Broadcast of Services”.

The Four Universal Bodhisattva Vows

Posted on

Living beings are limitless, I vow to liberate them all.

Blind passions are limitless, I vow to sever them all.

Dharma gates are inexhaustible, I vow to know them all.

Unsurpassed is awakening, I vow to realize it.

Commentary from Genshin’s Ojoyoshu, Section on the Correct Practice of the Nembutsu

To begin with, the manifestation of practice is generally called the mind that vows to become a Buddha.  It is also referred to as the mind that seeks the highest awakening while transforming living beings below.  The manifestation of practice is also expressed as the Four Universal Vows.

These vows can be understood in two ways.  The first way is to understand the Four Universal Vows as they arise from life situations.  This is compassion conditioned by a feeling of sympathy for living beings[1], or compassion conditioned by an appreciation of the Dharma[2].  The second way is to understand the Four Universal Vows as they arise from true reality.  This is unconditioned compassion[3].

Continue reading “The Four Universal Bodhisattva Vows”