21 Tara Praises Oral Transmission, Refuge and Bodhisattva Vows

With Geshe Sonam Ngodrup and translation by Ven Khedrup

We are delighted that Geshe la has agreed with our request to give a vow ceremony and a 21 Tara transmission.

You can join both at our center in Amsterdam or online. Both the ceremony and the transmission will take place from 16.30-18.30 hrs. 

If you are interested, please send an email to amsterdam@maitreya.nl and indicate which vows you would like to take and if you take refuge for the first time, Geshela will give you a refuge name. 

1) 21 Praises to Tara - Oral Transmission

This is open for everyone to join.

2) Taking Refuge

For new students and to reinforce for students who already took refuge.

3) Taking lay vows (1 or more). 

Geshela advises students who take refuge for the first time to not straight away also take one or more lay vows, but to leave some time in between (in general one year). Over the years Geshela has found if people take lay precepts too quickly, they find themselves having trouble keeping the vows and then get discouraged. If you are absolutely convinced to take one or more of the lay vows, Geshela is willing to make an exception. 

4) Taking Bodhisattva vows (aspiring or engaging)

This is for everyone who has taken refuge already. There are two parts of the ritual for the bodhisattva vows: the aspiring and the engaging vows. Everyone is welcome to participate in the ritual. Those who wish to take only the aspiring Bodhisattva vows will just have the motivation in their mind at the time. This will be explained by Geshela during the event. Don't worry that you are jumping in more than you planned on!

Would you like to know more about the Bodhisattva vows, then click here for more information. 

For students attending onsite at the center in Amsterdam there will be the opportunity to offer a khata (ritual scarf) and small offering (if you would like to) to Geshela and Ven. Khedrup.

If you want us to do this in your name, in case you can only attend online, please let us know.

As advised by Geshe la, there will not be any recordings available afterwards. 

If you have questions or comments, please write to amsterdam@maitreya.nl.

Participation is free, but any donation to support our center's Study Fund is welcome (through the sign up button on the right).