Bodhisattva Vow

Album: Ill Communication (1994)
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  • As I develop the awakening mind
    I praise the Buddhas as they shine
    I bow before you as I travel my path
    To join your ranks, I make my full-time task
    For the sake of all beings I seek
    The enlightened mind that I know I'll reap
    Respect to Shantideva and all the others
    Who brought down the Dharma for the sisters and brothers
    I give thanks for this world as a place to learn
    And for this human body that I know I've earned
    And my deepest thanks to all sentient beings
    For without them, there would be no place to learn what I'm seeing
    There's nothing here that's not been said before
    But I put it down now so that I'll be sure
    To solidify my own views
    And I'll be glad if it helps anyone else out too

    If others disrespect me or give me flak
    I'll stop and think before I react
    Knowing that they're going through insecure stages
    I'll take the opportunity to exercise patience
    I'll see it as a chance to help the other person
    Nip it in the bud before it can worsen
    A chance for me to be strong and sure
    As I think on the Buddhas who have come before
    As I praise and respect the good they've done
    Knowing love can conquer hate in every situation
    We need other people in order to create
    The circumstances for the learning that we're here to generate
    Situations that bring up our deepest fears
    So we can work to release them until they're cleared
    Therefore, it only makes sense
    To thank our enemies despite their intent

    The Bodhisattva path is one of power and strength
    A strength from within to go the length
    Seeing others are as important as myself
    I strive for a happiness of mental wealth
    With the interconnectedness that we share as one
    Every action that we take affects everyone
    So in deciding for what a situation calls
    There is a path for the good for all
    I try to make my every action for that highest good
    With the altruistic wish to achieve Buddhahood
    So I pledge here before everyone who's listening
    To try to make my every action for the good of all beings
    For the rest of my lifetimes and even beyond
    I vow to do my best, to do no harm
    And in times of doubt, I can think on the Dharma
    And the Enlightened Ones who've graduated Samsara Writer/s: ADAM HOROVITZ, ADAM NATHANIEL YAUCH, MARIO CALDATO JR., MICHAEL LOUIS DIAMOND
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

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