IN-PERSON only AT the Berkeley shambhala center with the teacher • Presented by Northern California Shambhala

This June, we are delighted to announce that there will be an opportunity to take the Refuge Vow & Bodhisattva Vow with preceptor Gaylon Ferguson in-person at the Berkeley Shambhala Center.

This June, one week before leading our Northern California Shambhala Summer Retreat, Gaylon Ferguson, as the preceptor, will offer the opportunity to take the Refuge Vow and the Bodhisattva Vow. These are two formal commitments along the Buddhist Path.

Registration is now open!

If you are interested in participating in one or both ceremonies, please carefully review the information and click on the registration button. You will be taken to a registration form where you will be asked to provide additional information needed to properly process your registration.

Please note that anyone is welcome to come and retake their vows. No registration is necessary, just show up. Additionally, there is no expectation of offering a gift to the preceptor. 

Schedule

The times below are to provide an idea of the weekend for planning purposes, and we will confirm the precise times soon.

Saturday, June 22

• Refuge Vow
  9:00 – 11:00 am:  Practice and contemplation
  11:00 – 11:30 am:  Discussion group
  11:30 am:  Formal requests begin
• Bodhisattva Vow
  2:00 – 4:00 pm:  Practice and contemplation
  4:00 – 4:30 am:  Discussion group
  4:30 pm:  Formal requests begin

Sunday, June 23

• Morning Practice Session (all)
  10:00 am – 12:00 pm:  Practice and contemplation
• Bodhisattva Vow Ceremony
  2:00 – 2:45 pm
• Refuge Vow Ceremony
  3:00 – 3:45 pm
  4:00 pm:  Reception Celebration

Below is information about each vow, as well as details about preparation and requirements:

The Refuge Vow

Open to anyone who wants to make a formal commitment to the Buddhist Path, the refuge vow marks the decision to commit oneself wholeheartedly to the path and to further one’s practice and training. It is the formal commitment to being a Buddhist by making a lifelong commitment to and taking refuge in the example of the Buddha Shakyamuni (the Buddha), his teachings (the dharma), and in the community of fellow practitioners (the sangha).

As this is a major commitment, individuals planning to take the vow are strongly encouraged to undertake an exploration of what it means to take refuge, and whether it is right for them. Two opportunities to do so are being offered:

• Being Buddhist: Exploring the Refuge Vow, a three-part, two-hour course that Gaylon Ferguson just taught. Register and you will be able to view the video of the classes.
• What is the Refuge Vow? with Charlotte Linde, a local online class on Sat, June 9 (10:00 am to Noon PT) is offered as an opportunity to explore the meaning of the refuge vow, and to allow discussion of participants’ questions, and how the vow may relate to their individual situations.

Included in the registration fee is a materials fee (for your Refuge Name Calligraphy), and it is traditional to offer a Heart Gift to the preceptor.

Also highly recommended for study and contemplation are the following two books, both available for purchase online:

• The Heart of the Buddha, by Chögyam Trungpa, particularly chapter 5, “Taking Refuge.”
• The Refuge Vow: A Sourcebook, including contributions from a variety of Buddhist teachers.

The Bodhisattva Vow

The Bodhisattva vow is the commitment to put all others before oneself. It is a statement of willingness to give up one’s own well-being, even one’s own enlightenment, for the sake of others. A Bodhisattva is simply a person who lives in the spirit of that vow, perfecting the qualities known as the six Buddhist Paramitas (virtues or perfections) — generosity, discipline, patience, exertion, meditation, and transcendental wisdom — in their effort to liberate all sentient beings.

Included in the registration fee is a materials fee (for your Bodhisattva Name Calligraphy), and it is traditional to offer a Heart Gift to the preceptor, as well as a physical gift that represents your letting go of something as you enter this commitment.

Bodhisattva vow candidates are strongly encouraged to participate in the following local online class:

• What is the Bodhisattva Vow? with Charlotte Linde, offered online Sat, June 9 (2:00 to 4:00 pm PT) as an opportunity to explore the meaning of the Bodhisattva vow, and to allow discussion of participants’ questions, and how the vow may relate to their individual situations.

Prerequisites and Requirements

For the Refuge Vow (for first-time refugees only):

• You will have an established sitting practice for at least one year prior to the date of the vow ceremony.

For the Bodhisattva Vow (for first-time bodhisattvas only):

• You will have taken the Refuge Vow at least one year prior to the date of the vow ceremony.

For either vow, you will either:

• Ask your meditation instructor, or another senior Shambhala student/teacher who knows you well, to provide a letter recommending you. The letter should include information supporting your general readiness for, and understanding of, the meaning taking the appropriate vow, or
• Alternately, you may provide the name and contact information for a well-known senior Northern California Shambhala student/teacher who would be willing to provide our staff with a verbal recommendation.

Please direct your letters and referrals to our Coordinator, Irv Kirschbaum, at kirschi3 [at] gmail [dot] com

Learn more about the Vows

The following classes are opportunities to explore your interest further and contemplate whether taking these vows is right for you at this time. They are not required, but you are highly encouraged to participate in one or more of these courses:

• Being Buddhist: Exploring the Refuge Vow, a three-part, two-hour course that Gaylon Ferguson just taught. Register and you will be able to view the video of the classes.
• What is the Refuge Vow? with Charlotte Linde, a local online class on Sat, June 9 (10:00 am to Noon PT) is offered as an opportunity to explore the meaning of the refuge vow, and to allow discussion of participants’ questions, and how the vow may relate to their individual situations.
• What is the Bodhisattva Vow? with Charlotte Linde, offered online Sat, June 9 (2:00 to 4:00 pm PT) as an opportunity to explore the meaning of the Bodhisattva vow, and to allow discussion of participants’ questions, and how the vow may relate to their individual situations.

Refuge & Bodhisattva Vows

June 22 to 23 • Saturday & Sunday
In-person only at the Berkeley Shambhala Center

Please note that anyone is welcome to come and retake their vows, and no registration is necessary for this. Just show up Sunday in time to join the ceremonies (2:00 pm for Bodhisattava vow or 3:00 pm for the Refuge vow). Additionally, there is no expectation of offering a gift to the preceptor.

Interested but have questions before registering? Contact our Coordinator: Irv Kirschhbaum at kirschi3 [at] gmail [dot] com