Bodhisattva Vow
Beastie Boys Lyrics

As I develop the awakening mind
I am cultivating a state of consciousness that is aware of the true nature of reality.

I praise the Buddhas as they shine
I acknowledge and venerate those who have attained enlightenment.

I bow before you as I travel my path
I show reverence to those who have come before me on the spiritual path.

To join your ranks, I make my full-time task
I dedicate myself fully to the pursuit of awakening and to following in the footsteps of the enlightened ones.

For the sake of all beings I seek
My goal is not just personal liberation, but the liberation of all sentient beings.

The enlightened mind that I know I'll reap
I am confident that with diligent practice, I will attain an awakened state of mind.

Respect to Shantideva and all the others
I offer praise and gratitude to all the teachers who have passed down the wisdom of the Dharma.

Who brought down the Dharma for the sisters and brothers
These teachers have made the teachings of the Buddha accessible to all who seek it, regardless of gender or status.

I give thanks for this world as a place to learn
I express gratitude for the opportunities that this world provides for growth and learning.

And for this human body that I know I've earned
I recognize my good fortune to have been born as a human being with the ability to pursue spiritual awakening.

And my deepest thanks to all sentient beings
I extend my appreciation to all living beings, as they provide the grounds for spiritual practice.

For without them, there would be no place to learn what I'm seeing
Without the presence of other sentient beings, the opportunity for spiritual growth and learning would not be possible.

There's nothing here that's not been said before
The wisdom of the Buddha has been taught and passed down for centuries.

But I put it down now so that I'll be sure
I reaffirm these teachings for myself and for others who are listening.

To solidify my own views
By expressing these teachings in my own words, I deepen my understanding and personal connection to them.

And I'll be glad if it helps anyone else out too
I hope that my sharing of these teachings can be of benefit to others on the spiritual path.

If others disrespect me or give me flak
If others mistreat or criticize me,

I'll stop and think before I react
I will pause and reflect on my own emotional reactions before responding.

Knowing that they're going through insecure stages
I recognize that others may be struggling with their own insecurities or challenges.

I'll take the opportunity to exercise patience
I will use this situation as an opportunity to practice patience and compassion.

I'll see it as a chance to help the other person
Rather than taking it personally, I will view this conflict as an opportunity to help the other person in some way.

Nip it in the bud before it can worsen
I will try to address and resolve the conflict before it escalates and becomes more difficult to manage.

A chance for me to be strong and sure
I can use this situation to develop my inner strength and confidence.

As I think on the Buddhas who have come before
Drawing inspiration from the wisdom and compassion of the enlightened ones who have walked this path before me,

As I praise and respect the good they've done
I honor and appreciate the positive impact that the Buddha and other enlightened ones have had on the world.

Knowing love can conquer hate in every situation
I recognize that love and compassion are the most powerful tools we have for dealing with conflict and negativity.

We need other people in order to create
Our interactions with other people are necessary for our growth and learning.

The circumstances for the learning that we're here to generate
The challenges and difficulties we encounter in our relationships provide the conditions for our spiritual development.

Situations that bring up our deepest fears
These situations often trigger our deepest emotional vulnerabilities and fears.

So we can work to release them until they're cleared
We can use these situations as opportunities to heal and transform these deep-seated fears.

Therefore, it only makes sense
Given the interdependent nature of reality,

To thank our enemies despite their intent
It is appropriate to express gratitude even to those who challenge us, as they provide the catalyst for our growth and development.

The Bodhisattva path is one of power and strength
The path of the Bodhisattva requires a great deal of spiritual power and strength.

A strength from within to go the length
This strength comes from within and enables one to persevere even in the face of great challenges.

Seeing others are as important as myself
The Bodhisattva path requires us to view the well-being of others as being just as important as our own.

I strive for a happiness of mental wealth
My aim is to cultivate a state of inner contentment and peace.

With the interconnectedness that we share as one
Recognizing the interconnected nature of reality, we are all part of a greater whole.

Every action that we take affects everyone
Our actions have a ripple effect, impacting not just ourselves but all those around us.

So in deciding for what a situation calls
When faced with a difficult situation, it's important to assess what is truly needed.

There is a path for the good for all
In every situation, there is a path that leads to the greatest benefit for all involved.

I try to make my every action for that highest good
My intention is to act in a way that benefits all beings to the greatest extent possible.

With the altruistic wish to achieve Buddhahood
This intention is grounded in the aspiration to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings.

So I pledge here before everyone who's listening
I make a commitment to this path, to be held accountable by all who are listening.

To try to make my every action for the good of all beings
My goal is to align every action I take with the welfare of all sentient beings.

For the rest of my lifetimes and even beyond
This commitment is not just for this lifetime, but for all future lives and beyond.

I vow to do my best, to do no harm
I pledge to do everything in my power to avoid causing harm to any living being.

And in times of doubt, I can think on the Dharma
When I feel unsure or uncertain, I can turn to the teachings of the Buddha for guidance and support.

And the Enlightened Ones who've graduated Samsara
The example of the Buddha, who has transcended the cycle of birth and death, inspires and motivates me on this path.