Path of the Bodhisattva & Bodhisattva Precepts Ceremony
Buddhist curriculum, Fall 2017
with Mushim Ikeda, EBMC core teacher
This new Buddhist curriculum at EBMC has three components:
- A four-class series: Path of the Bodhisattva 1
Wednesdays, Oct 4, 11, 18, 25: 7 – 9pm
- A three-class series: Path of the Bodhisattva 2
Wednesdays, Nov 1, 8, 17: 7 – 9pm
- Daylong: Receiving or Witnessing the Bodhisattva Precepts & Vows
December 3: 10am – 4:30pm
I, myself, took the Bodhisattva Vows and made the vow, “Life after life, after life, after life, I will continue my practice and continue my work.” – Bhante Suhita Dharma, Buddhist monk and social worker, 1941-2013
In Mahayana Buddhism, the Bodhisattva is an archetypal great being who tirelessly and joyfully works to liberate all beings from suffering. For the first time, EBMC will offer two class series exploring what it means to creatively embody the Bodhisattva teachings. Those who complete both class series may participate in the final daylong and either witness or take Bodhisattva precepts and vows in order to strengthen their commitment to collective liberation. These are the same vows taken by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Also, those who do not wish to take the Bodhisattva vows may take either of the two class series. The final daylong is open to everyone who wishes to witness the joyful ceremony (you do not need to have taken any of the previous classes, though it is recommended that you do so) and those who have completed the previous classes and have received permission from the teacher may receive the Bodhisattva Precepts, take the Bodhisattva Vows, and at that time they will receive a Buddhist name from the teacher. Meditation (instruction provided for beginners), Dharma talks, and interactive exercises. Questions: email admin@eastbaymeditation.org
Mushim (Patricia) Ikeda received Bodhisattva precepts and vows in Toronto, Canada in 1983. She is an EBMC core teacher, a widely-published writer, and a social justice activist. Mushim has practiced as both a monastic and a lay householder. For events, writing, video teachings, go to www.mushimikeda.com
Cost: There is no registration fee for attending this event, nor most EBMC events. However, EBMC is not independently funded. The Center and the teachers will be sustained only by your voluntary donations (the practice of generous giving, or “dana”). Please donate generously, in proportion to your ability:
* Either online (you will be offered an opportunity during the online registration process to donate to EBMC; the teachers will NOT receive any part of this online donation)
* Or at the event, in the two baskets at EBMC, one for the Center, the second for the Teacher
Thank you for your generosity. EBMC will be only be sustained through our collective generosity.
Fragrance-free: In order to protect the health of community members with environmental illness, please do not wear fragranced products (including “natural” fragrances) or clothes laundered in fragranced products to EBMC.
EBMC is wheelchair accessible.
