Bodhisattva Practice
A bodhisattva is one who vows to awaken and save all beings from suffering. Part of Living Vow Zen's mission is to facilitate bodhisattva practice as a compassionate expression of the realization of nonduality.
We take inspiration from Robert Dairyu Chotan Aitken, Rōshi (1917-2010), and his wife, Anne An Tanshin Aitken, two of Living Vow Zen's ancestral teachers. According to Robert Aitken, "When the members of the Zen Buddhist center act together as bodhisattvas, they generate great power for social change — this is the sangha as the Buddha intended it to be."
Bodhisattva practice is one way our sangha enacts the Bodhisattva Precepts. Some examples of ways Morning Star has engaged include:
- collecting food, lightly used clothing, and household goods on the first Wednesday of each month to donate to local charitable organizations;
- corresponding with incarcerated people about the dharma;
- demonstrating with groups like Awakening For Earth to face the climate crisis and advocate for policies that empower communities most impacted by climate change;
- cleaning up areas around the Charles River;
- and most essentially, offering dharma practice opportunities for sangha members to personally investigate our impossible vow to save all beings, open-heartedly turn toward the overwhelming challenges, and clarify what actions call to us.
We also offer sangha care for one another. We all go through difficult times, and sometimes we could use a little help -- a ride from the hospital, some prepared food, or just a friend who will listen. If you could use a hand, just let us know, and members of our sangha care group will do our best to help. If you would like to volunteer to be part of our sangha care group, please let us know. At the heart of Buddhist practice is friendship.
If you would like more information about our bodhisattva practices, please see our calendar or send us an email.
