The following vows were composed by Jetsunma Ahkon Lhamo who received permission to offer them to her students from His Holiness Penor Rinpoche:
Renunciate Vow for Lay Practitioners
From this very moment forward I offer this life as a gift to the three precious jewels. My pure intention is to accomplish the purpose of Self and Others – Supreme Enlightenment – quickly and surely. Thus I vow that all my life, every portion, shall be used to accomplish that goal.
- All my activities shall accomplish that goal.
- All my thoughts and feelings are directed toward that goal.
- All my possessions shall be to strengthen and support that goal.
- I shall seek all appropriate teachings, empowerments, and spiritual activities in order to secure that goal.
- My own enlightenment is now considered to be equal to, and non-dual with the enlightenment of others. Therefore I vow to support fully and without hesitation the practicing spiritual community.
- I vow to support fully and with unconditional love the three precious jewels and their manifestations: the Sangha and temple.
- I will not kill.
- I will not lie to accomplish selfish purpose.
- I will not steal.
- I will not become intoxicated and therefore forget my purpose and vows.
- I will not engage in adultery, or promiscuous activity by which my intention will be compromised.
- I fully intend to do all that I can to accomplish the liberation of all sentient beings and my own equally.
- I consider the realization of all beings to be equal with my own and of equal value.
- I fully support the spiritual community and its purpose on earth.
- Should any activity or possession or relationship be contrary to these purposes I will systematically change it or eliminate it from my life.
This I promise so that there will be an end to hatred, greed and ignorance within my mindstream and within the three thousand myriads of universes and so that myself and all beings shall achieve the precious awakening.
Bodhisattva Vow
I dedicate myself to the liberation and salvation of all sentient beings. I offer my body, speech, and mind in order to accomplish the purpose of all sentient beings. I will return in whatever form necessary, under extraordinary circumstances to end suffering. Let me be born in times unpredictable, in places unknown, until all sentient beings are liberated from the cycle of death and rebirth.
Taking no thought for my comfort or safety, precious Lama, make of me a pure and perfect instrument by which the end of suffering and death in all forms might be realized. Let me achieve perfect enlightenment for the sake of all beings. And then, by my hand and heart alone, may all beings achieve full enlightenment and perfect liberation.
Refuge Vows
I take refuge in the Lama
I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dharma
I take refuge in the Sangha