Vow Ceremony with Geshe Sonam Ngodrup

Refuge, Bodhisattva Vows and an oral transmission (lung)

Geshe la has been so kind to offer a vow ceremony and an oral transmission again.

You can join both at our center in Amsterdam or online. Both the ceremony and the transmission will take place from 17.00-19.00 hrs.

“Taking refuge is opening your heart to the possibility of complete freedom from suffering. It is a declaration of confidence that awakening is possible and that you are capable of achieving it.” His Holines XIV Dalai Lama

Vow Ceremony

1. Je Tsongkhapa’s A Prayer for the Beginning, Middle, and End of Practice - Oral Transmission

A wonderful text full of aspiration by the great Lama Tsongkhapa. Being given an oral transmission means that the lung connects you to the lineage and plants a seed of realization.

2. Taking Refuge & Lay Vows (1 or more)

Taking Refuge is making a conscious, heartfelt decision to rely on the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha as your path out of suffering and toward enlightenment. They are the ethical commitments taken by non-monastic practitioners to guide their conduct according to the Buddha’s teachings. They are not so much seen as moral rules imposed from outside, but more as skilful means to protect one’s own mind from actions that strengthen delusion (anger, attachment, ignorance).

This ceremony is for new students who would like to take Refuge, or if you have taken them already, to reinforce them.

3. Taking Bodhisattva Vows (aspiring or engaging)

This is for everyone who has taken refuge already before. There are two parts of the ritual for the Bodhisattva Vows: the aspiring and the engaging vows. Everyone is welcome to participate in the ritual. Those who wish to take only the aspiring Bodhisattva Vows will just have the motivation in their mind at the time. This will be explained by Geshe la during the event.

Don't worry that you are jumping into more than you can handle! Remember, vows are trainings to remind yourself of how you would like to behave and develop yourself in transforming your behavior. Would you like to know more about the Bodhisattva Vows, then click here for more information.

Would you like to join?

If you are interested, please send an email to amsterdam@maitreya.nl and indicate the following:

• if you are taking refuge for the first time (Geshe la will give you your Tibetan name)
• if you would like to take the Bodhisattva Vows
• any questions you might have
• whether you are joining on-site or online

For students attending onsite at the center in Amsterdam there will be the opportunity to offer a khata (‘ritual scarf') and small offering (if you would like to) to Geshe la and Ven. Khedrup.

If you want us to do this in your name, in case you can only attend online, please let us know.