The Bodhisattva Vow: A Practical Guide to Helping Others

by Kelsang Gyatso

A Bodhisattva is a friend of the world who, motivated by compassion, seeks enlightenment to benefit all living beings. In this welcome guide to compassionate living, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso explains in detail how to take and keep the Bodhisattva vows, how to purify negative minds, and how to practice the Bodhisattva's actions of giving, moral discipline, patience, effort, concentration and wisdom. With this handbook as our companion, we can enter the Bodhisattva's way of life and progress along the path to full enlightenment.

Genres: Buddhism, Religion, Spirituality, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

*'Geshe' is a Tibetan Buddhist academic degree for monks and nuns.

Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is a fully accomplished meditation Master and internationally renowned Teacher of Buddhism who has pioneered the introduction of modern Buddhism into contemporary society. Presenting Buddha’s teachings in a way that is relevant and suitable for modern people with busy lives, he shows how these teachings can be used by anyone, Buddhist or non-Buddhist, to solve problems, improve relationships and eventually attain a deep and lasting inner peace and happiness.

He has also created all the conditions necessary to support the study and practice of Buddhism in modern society: writing 22 highly acclaimed books that perfectly transmit the ancient wisdom of Buddha; establishing over 1,200 Kadampa Buddhist centers and groups throughout the world; developing modern study programmes; training qualified Teachers; and establishing local, national and international courses, festivals and retreats. Through all these and other activities Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche is giving new life to Buddhism, enabling people everywhere to discover inner peace and happiness through Buddha’s teachings, thereby bringing greater peace to a troubled world.

The term "Rinpoche," added to Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso's name, is a Tibetan word that means "Precious One," and has been added as a mark of deepest respect.

To discover more about Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche’s compassionate vision and activities visit http://tharpa.com/us/benefit-all-worl....

Reviews

[Charlotte Frejya · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given this book by a friend as I went for my Bodhisattva vows. To be honest, I wouldn't have bought a book by Kelsang Gyatso myself due to the behaviour of his followers towards His Holiness the Dalai Lama. I'm not a follower of either, and I'm aware there are always two sides to each story, yet seeing their disrespectful actions close up left me feeling very conflicted, to the point where I actually questioned letting it into my house at all. In the end, because it was from a friend, I relented and read it.

Textually, it reads easily and smoothly giving a clear liturgical overview of the bodhisattva vows according to the NKT. There were no great surprises, but it elucidated various matters of bodhicitta well which is always nice to hear, even though this is a dry read that will need a certain level of spiritual commitment to get through.

Moreover because it only covers the bodhisattva vows, with no concern for how these interact with the Pratimoksha or Samaya, its scope is limited. I much preferred Perfect Conduct: Ascertaining the Three Vows and actually find the representation of various vows and precepts given here to be far closer to my lineages' enactment of them, than those put forth by Gyatso. I don't think he is wrong in what he states in this book, but just that this was an effort to push through and missed a number of the points that are highly emphasised in my lineage, so perhaps it is just best suted to NKT students?

[Thubten Palmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly the information I was looking for

[Anne Kadet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a different (and better!) person having practiced the instructions in this book.

[Turquoise Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In class we have been spending time on studying tranquil abiding and this was helpful in learning more about that along with the six perfections.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book filled with drawings of Buddhas and methods for living a beneficial life.

[Dhātturā · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly liturgical after the first chapter. Take it or leave it. I left it. Want to play, color the magical Buddhas. Read it, integrate each prayer as breath.

[Garydtee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this if you strive to evolve into a Bodhisattva.