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Bodhisattva Vow Lyrics
As I develop the awakened 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 thats 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 and give my flack
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 only 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 that we can work to release them until they've cleared
Therefore, it only make 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 buddahood
So I pledge here before everyone who's listening
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
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 thats 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 and give my flack
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 only 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 that we can work to release them until they've cleared
Therefore, it only make sense
To thank our enemies despite their intent
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 buddahood
So I pledge here before everyone who's listening
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
Song Info
Submitted by
piesupreme On Mar 06, 2001
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Yeah, it makes learning about Buddhism even more fun. (I have to for Sociology but it's still interesting anyway.) Even if ur not a Buddhist though, there are lines in it that are still life-living like 'if others disrespect or give me flak/ i'll stop and think before i react.'
I love this song. Its pretty much a general description of the beleifs of Buddhism.
I totally agree. Even if you think Yauch was nuts with his spiritual stuff, I think this song makes it clear what his true intensions were. And there is, certainly nothing about his message that couldn't apply to anyone. The courage alone just to make a hip hop song this different is admirable.