Lama Surya Das: The Bodhisattva path is the highest spiritual
ideal that I’ve ever encountered. It’s predicated on the
recognition that we’re all one. And the common ground of all beings
is that we all want to be happy and well, and have our loved ones
be protected and safe and happy and not harmed. We’re all joined in
that way, therefore we dedicate ourselves to the greater welfare of
all, not just for our own selfish, temporary welfare in this short
life. When we take the Bodhisattva vow, we make ourselves a
spiritual servant, like a saintly or peaceful warrior working for
peace, enlightenment and the betterment of all beings. And not just
human beings, but all beings of all kinds throughout all lifetimes,
in all possible worlds and universes. It’s really a saintly, cosmic
aspiration of service and dedication to the highest good for all
(as opposed to the temporary gratification or the materialism of
this life). That’s really the basics of Tibetan Buddhism, the
Mahayana Buddhism, the Great Vehicle or Great Boat. The vehicle
intent on universal liberation, not just individual relief or
individual enlightenment. It’s realizing that as long as any being
is suffering or is imprisoned, I too am not completely free. So we
pray, “May we all together complete the spiritual path. We vow not
to go to Nirvana or complete our spiritual work until all beings
get there.” So as long as there is any suffering in the world,
there is still spiritual work to do. That’s the Bodhisattva vow and
the Bodhisattva aspiration and that’s the heart of the Mahayana
Buddhism. Buddhism really has three schools and Mahayana is
probably the biggest.