The interviews for Bodhisattva Vows will be held on Saturday, July 12th beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Berkeley Shambhala Center. The vow ceremony will be held on Tuesday, July 15th at 7:00 p.m. also at the Berkeley Shambhala Center, but if you are taking the vow, you need to be there by 6:30 in order to hear an explanation of what to do during the ceremony.

Prerequisites:

1. One should wait at least six months after taking refuge before taking the Bodhisattva vow. Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Pema Chödrön’s teacher and the founder of Shambhala International, established this guideline to emphasize a practitioner's sense of path.

2. One should have taken at least one class on the Bodhisattva path and should understand the meaning of the vow.

3. One should have a genuine desire to work for the benefit of others. This desire might manifest, for example, as greater participation in the activities of your local sangha or Shambhala center.

4. You must have a meditation instructor and a recommendation from them to take the bodhisattva vow. A recommendation form is attached. If you do not have a meditation instructor, please talk to your city retreat discussion group leader who can serve as your meditation instructor.

Preparation for the Vows:

It is recommended that you meet with your meditation instructor to discuss taking this vow. Please prepare by reading the chapter on Bodhisattva vows in The Heart of the Buddha, by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. (1991 Shambhala Publications).

Please fill out this application and return it by July 8th to Amy Conway at the City Retreat, or mail it to her c/o 1105 Stannage, Albany, CA 94706. If you have questions, please e-mail one of the coordinators: Amy Conway or Sarah Woodard

Pema encourages everyone who is planning to attend “The Way of the Bodhisattva” city retreat to prepare by familiarizing themselves with the key bodhicitta practices: The Four Limitless Ones, tonglen, and the paramitas. Pema suggests that you study this material with an emphasis on practice. The purpose is to gain an experiential sense of what it means to “rouse bodhicitta.” She also recommends books and tapes.