A Chance to Become More Attentive to Yourself and the World

In the Buddhist tradition, it is believed that on sacred, especially significant days the spiritual power of virtuous deeds is multiplied many times over. Today, when all Buddhists of the world celebrate the Day of the First Turning of the Wheel of Teaching, any practice at such a moment becomes especially effective. That is why, from early morning at the Central Khurul, the Venerable Geshe Lharampa Jagba Gyatso conferred the one-day Mahayana vows.

Each time they speak of taking the Mahayana vows, the monks of the main Buddhist temple of Kalmykia emphasize that the one-day vows are not about “you must not” and strict prohibitions, but about the chance to become, for 24 hours, more attentive to oneself and to the world. What matters is not to harm any living being, not to take what belongs to others, to watch one’s speech, not to cloud the mind, not to eat after noon, not to give in to pride, and not to indulge in entertainment and adornments. This is not a list of prohibitions but a training: this is how we learn to master our impulses and to notice how easily attachment to small things arises.

During the morning gathering, Geshe Jagba, addressing all those present, once again emphasized that the vows are taken with the thought: “May all beings find happiness through this practice.” This is bodhichitta — a heart striving toward awakening for the sake of others.