Question asked by Wang Lu Y
Hello Pastor, I hope you are having a great day etc. But anyways, I was stressing about something for a moment. So some back story is that I just stumbled upon Buddhism recently (3-5 months ago) but I never started truly practicing it until probably a few weeks ago. So before I started truly practicing it, I took a set of vows without truly knowing the meaning behind what vows are and why we take them. I broke it 2 weeks later and felt bad. I knew what a vow was but I just didn't know if broke the vow or not because when i took the vows in front of Buddha Vajrasattva I was rushing things up and not taking my time. SO TO SUMMARIZE: i just didn't know if I actually broke the vow or not
Dear Wang Lu Y,
Thank you for your question. Taking of vows is an important part of Buddhist practice, as they help us curb our negative and destructive behaviour which leads us to develop only positive qualities and self-transformation. Vows are usually taken from some who holds those vows, however sometimes we can take vows in front of a Buddha statue like you have. They are taken with full conscious intention.
As you don’t know if you actually broke your vow or not, then I suggest you can re-take that vow again and this time keep it properly if it is within your capability. I wouldn’t be able to give you a firm answer, as I don’t know that vow you took or what makes you think you broke it, etc. I would need more information to answer in a proper.
Here are some short teachings by Tsem Rinpoche on vows, which may help you to understand them better:
What Happen When We “Practise” with Broken Vows and Samaya
https://youtu.be/_QCw_E_aN5M
The Power of Vows – Tsem Rinpoche
https://youtu.be/2R41106svAA
Benefits of Holding Vows – by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche
https://youtu.be/WHXUpvKKIp0
Difference Between Taking Vows With a Guru and a Buddha Image
https://youtu.be/cE8q0fGiXzE
No Vows, No Attainments: The Importance of Vows
https://youtu.be/YpPmwJC6ukk
I hope this helps.