Believers of Kalmykia Took the One-Day Mahayana Vows

“I purify myself of all non-virtues accumulated in the past. I dedicate my good merit to all living beings, offer up prayers, and wish for everyone to attain the state of a Buddha”… with such motivation the believers came early this morning to the main Buddhist temple of Kalmykia. For today all Buddhists of the world celebrate the Day of Buddha Shakyamuni’s Descent from the Tushita Heaven.

A monk of the Central Khurul, the Venerable Geshe Changchub, conducted the ceremony of taking the one-day Mahayana vows at 5:00 in the morning. First, the Teacher explained to the believers in great detail the meaning of each vow, why it is necessary to take them, and how important it is to take them on such a holy day. There are eight one-day Mahayana vows: refraining from killing, stealing, lying, adultery; refraining from alcohol, tobacco, and intoxicating substances; refraining from sitting on a “high” throne; refraining from singing songs, playing musical instruments, and dancing; refraining from adornments, the use of cosmetics and perfumes; as well as refraining from eating food in the afternoon — they are taken for 24 hours. Although, as Geshe Changchub noted, many take them for a longer period. “What matters here is only that these vows become the foundation of good changes within yourselves,” noted the monk of “The Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni.”

OM MUNI MUNI MAHA MUNIYE SOHA