“Endowed with the Glory of Buddha”

Sooo…thankfully, the Bodhisattva vows were NOT given yesterday afternoon.  I must have misunderstood Rinpoche.  I really don’t think I was ready for these heavy vows.

What was given were the Refuge Vows.  I had informally taken these vows before, but I guess it was more appropriate to formally have them done.

It was a beautiful ceremony, really.  I had to make an offering of my hair, and Rinpoche gave me my Dharma name, Sangyey Paldan.  His translator said “Sangyey” means “Buddha” and “Paldan” means something along the lines as “this which is that”.  It can’t entirely be translated into English because there is no English word for “Paldan”….so, roughly translated “Sangyey Paldan” means “Endowed with the Glory of Buddha.”

Cool, eh?  I even got this little booklet with my Dharma name, refuge vows, and a signed picture of Rinpoche.

Overall, I think it was a positive experience…but boy did my legs hurt from sitting cross-legged all day for two days…and I was so tired.  Slept for 12 hours.  -_-

But now I’m awake and enjoying my delicious tea from Teavana…equal parts White Aryurvedic Chai and Samurai Mate.  I’m biased against chai, but I love this blend because it has pineapple and coconut to naturally sweeten the tea.  I highly recommend it.