Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony
with Venerable Losang Gendun
“The most precious mind of all, that which cherishes all beings, can become a genuine part of our life, a real gut feeling that motivates us in everything we do, and not just a vague wish.”
–Geshe Tashi Tsering, The Awakening Mind
Seeking joy and peace and freedom from problems, we notice others yearn for the same. This realization may prompt us to ask: What can we do to bring joy to others and help them with their challenges?
Mahayana Buddhism’s answer is to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. A mind focused on this goal is called bodhicitta. However, the motivation of bodhicitta alone is not enough to help others.
This is where the bodhisattva vows come in – by embracing these vows, we cultivate the qualities of compassion, wisdom, and courage that are essential for making progress on the path.
The Bodhisattva Vow ceremony is a meaningful ritual where we make a promise to follow the path of a bodhisattva. During the ceremony, Venerable Gendun, a scholar who embodies the precious mind of bodhicitta, will guide us through the process of taking the vows. He will discuss the importance of vows, their purpose and benefits, and how to integrate them into our daily lives.
By taking the Bodhisattva Vows, we are not just making a promise to others; we are also making a commitment to ourselves to cultivate the qualities of a bodhisattva. This journey is not an easy one, but with the guidance of Venerable Gendun and the support of the community, we can embark on this path with confidence and determination.
Taking Refuge is part of the Bodhisattva Vow ceremony, to learn more about Refuge please click here. This is an exceptional opportunity to take or renew your Refuge and Bodhisattva vows under the guidance of a wonderful lineage teacher.
Please note: You may attend and take the Bodhisattva Vows online, but the ceremony will not be recorded.
About the Teacher
Venerable Losang Gendun has dedicated nearly four decades to practicing Buddhism and has served as a Bhikshu (Buddhist monk) in the Tibetan tradition for the past 18 years. Prior to his ordination, he worked in diverse fields such as palliative care, technology, refugee organizations, and commercial management. His extensive training includes ten years of studying Buddhist philosophy and practice in monasteries across France, India, Nepal, and Myanmar. Additionally, he spent over four years in retreat, immersing himself in Tibetan sutra and tantra, as well as the Burmese Theravada Forest Tradition.
For the last 15 years, Ven. Gendun has been a dedicated teacher, sharing his knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, psychology, and meditation worldwide. He serves the aspirations of H.H. the Dalai Lama and Lama Zopa Rinpoche as part of the FPMT (Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition). Ven. Gendun is also a member of Mind & Life Europe, a multidisciplinary laboratory that brings together researchers and contemplative practitioners to explore the nature of experience.
Beyond his Buddhist affiliations, Ven. Gendun serves as an interreligious canon at the Peace Cathedral in Tbilisi, Georgia, and feels at home at a Mevlavi Sufi dargah in Istanbul. In 2023, he founded The Buddha Project, which engages in long-term guidance for Buddhist meditators, scientific research, art projects, and intercontemplative social engagement.
