Transcript The Ten Great Vows

The Ten Great Vows
By Hrukti Maat
Introduction
• During the Three Treasures Ritual, we
have all announced the Ten Great Vows
• Due to the intensity of the ritual, most of us
do not remember the contents of the Ten
Great Vows
• The Ten Great Vows are necessary
because they are the expressions of our
sincerity for the beseeching of Tao (that we
do not have ulterior motives)
Introduction
• Transmission Master needs to witness the
making of the vows before he or she can
transmit the Three Treasures
• The Ten Great Vows also serves as the
guiding posts for our spiritual journey
• The transgression of any of the vows can
endanger our spiritual progress
First Vow
Uphold with Sincerity
– Uphold the contents of the Three Treasures
with earnest devotion (to never forget the
contents of the Three Treasures)
– To strive to fully understand the insights of the
Three Treasures and apply them in our spiritual
cultivations (and obtain the grace of God and
earn our place in the highest heaven)
– Meitreya Buddha has assured us that this is
the true path and will enable enlightenment
Second Vow
Earnestly Repent (or Cultivate)
– As we exist in the human form, it is very easy
for us to transgress against our own divinity
– Therefore, as we seek enlightenment, we
should whole-heartedly repent for any of our
wrong doings (or thoughts)
– Penitence should be a constant practice (or at
least twice a day—morning and evening
prayers)
Second Vow
• Earnestly Repent (or Cultivate)
– Constant cultivation is another important
practice in our spiritual progress
– Identifying our own spiritual blockages is the
first step in cultivation
– Through the practice of internal and external
cultivation, we sought to release all our
blockages and attain spiritual enlightenment
Third Vow
Do Not Harbor False Deception
– True devotees of Tao act truthfully and with
sincerity.
– Do not have deceptive motives in the
participation of Three Treasures or temple
activities (i.e. financial gain, political influence
or romantic pursuits)
– Righteous spiritual and physical actions will
result in removing any insincerity and deceit
from your personality
Fourth Vow
Do Not Withdraw from Advancement
– Do not withdraw from spiritual advancement
despite adversities
– Trials are parts of true spiritual breakthrough
– Understand that these trials and tribulations
are our growing pain; they serve to fortify our
spirits and enable our accomplishments
– Setbacks will happen, it is the continuous
effort that counts (do not give up)
Fifth Vow
Do Not Renounce the Great Teachers
– Any words or actions that show disrespect or
dishonoring of the teachers are considered as
offenses (i.e. seeking other spiritual teachers)
– Teachers are our divine guides for Ascension,
so they deserve our utmost respect
– The love Teacher Je-Gong have for us is like
the love of parents; he bear our Karmic debts,
while we cultivate and earn merits, until we
are able to repay them ourselves
Sixth Vow
Do Not Disrespect the Elders
– We respect those predecessors who have
served in the temple community and act as
our spiritual leaders
– Temple community is built upon the sacrifices
of members who have carried the torch of Tao
throughout the tradition
– Some of these members may be less
knowledgeable or educated than we are, but
their contributions still deserve our respect
– Any words or actions against these members
are considered as offenses
Seventh Vow
Do Not Disobey Temple Etiquette
– Any intentional violation of the temple’s
etiquette is considered an offense
– The rituals and etiquette serve as the guiding
posts for the practice of Tao
– Temple rituals are established by the High
Guardians to sustain order and foster a
positive energy for the temple
– Following these etiquette will ensure a
peaceful and harmonious temple community
Eighth Vow
Do Not Divulge Heavenly Secrets
– Do not divulge the contents of Heavenly secret
(i.e. Three Treasures)
– Understand that there is a Divine order in all
things and the divulging of Heavenly secrets
alters the Divine order, which is an offense
– Revealing Heavenly secrets under the wrong
circumstance can cause confusion, frustration,
and suffering to those who are not ready
Ninth Vow
Do not Conceal the True Tao
– Do not intentionally conceal the Tao or actively
prevent someone from receiving the Three
Treasures
– Just as it’s a great merit to help someone to
receive the Three Treasures, it is also a great
karmic debt to prevent someone from receiving
– Understand that only God knows who is ready for
receiving, so we should allow God to work
through us to accomplish this great mission
Tenth Vow
Act According to Capacity (or Cultivate
Accordingly)
– Act according to your capacity and assist with
the temple community
– The universal divine nature for unselfish
service, acts of kindness, and love for others
manifests itself in the practice of Tao
– Take ownership of temple responsibility will
ensure our divine rank for the future
Tenth Vow
• Act According to Capacity (or Cultivate
Accordingly)
– cultivate with earnest sincerity to eradicate
any spiritual blockage
– Spiritual individuals strive to be in the best
“holy” light irrespective of the changing
circumstances (release of our spiritual
blockage is the path to enlightenment)
Conclusion
• The Ten Great Vows are the fundamental vows
of Tao
• During the Three Treasures ritual, the
Transmission Master pronounces: “if you do not
fulfill your vows, it’ll be difficult to return home”
• Three Treasures provides lifelong protection and
redemption under the grace of God and our Holy
Teachers’ blessings and assistances
• The understanding of our vows assists in the
understanding of our heavenly missions and the
realization of the purpose of our lives
Questions?