Taking the One-Day Mahayana Vows on One of the Special Days for Buddhists

Many began this day, so special for every Buddhist — the Day of the First Turning of the Wheel of the Teaching — at the main Buddhist temple of Kalmykia. A monk of the Central Khurul, the Venerable Geshe Changchub, conducted the ceremony of taking the one-day Mahayana vows. “We should be happy that on such a momentous day we have the opportunity to take the vows of the Great Vehicle, thereby directing the actions of our body, speech, and mind toward the benefit of all sentient beings,” the Geshe noted.

Having told those gathered about this important deed of the Great Victorious Buddha, Geshe Changchub examined each vow in detail. There are eight of them, and they are taken for 24 hours. These commitments include refraining from killing any living being, refraining from taking what is not given, refraining from adultery, refraining from deceit and lies, and refraining from consuming alcohol, drugs, and other intoxicating substances. They also include refraining from sitting on thrones and high seats, refraining from eating in the afternoon, and refraining from using cosmetics, perfumes, jewelry, dancing, and singing.

Even though several millennia have passed since Buddha Shakyamuni first bestowed his Teaching, believers pass down the importance of this significant day from generation to generation, striving to spend it practicing the Dharma and performing virtuous deeds.