ACROSS THE SEA OF SUFFERING 
IN A BOAT OF VOWS

DISCIPLE KUO CHAN (BHIKSU HENG KUAN) BOWS IN OBEISANCE.

    On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, 2998, the Venerable Master compassionately allowed me to leave the home life. On the fifteenth day of the seventh month one-year later, Ullambana, the day of the Buddha's Rejoicing, I make the following vows, to be held until empty space itself breaks up.
1.

I vow to leave home in every life and to follow my teacher's instructions.
2.

As long as there is a single sentient being that has not yet accomplished Buddhahood, I vow to cultivate the Way without cease.

3.

I vow to eat only once a day and to take that meal before noon.

4.

I vow to always sit and never recline, cultivating the dhyana dharma door.

5.

Because a human body is difficult to obtain, I vow to take only as much sleep as is required to maintain it.

6.

I vow to stay far away from women.

7.

I vow never to set foot inside a nunnery.

8.

I vow not to remain overnight in the home of a layman.

9.

I vow to transfer any blessings and virtues to all living beings.

10.

I vow to establish my will in the propagation of the orthodox Dharma.

11.

I vow never to contradict the regulations established by the Buddha.

12.

I vow not to be turned by afflictions, defilements, or by emotional, obstructive, good, or bad states.

13.

I vow always to manifest the appearance of a bhiksu.

14.

I vow always to compassionately protect and respect all creatures, and never be jealous or harm them.

15.

I vow only to speak of what is actual.

16.

I vow to base my cultivation on the Avatamsaka Sutra, and to bow to every word in it.

17.

I vow to always propagate the Mahayana, explaining Sutras and speaking the Dharma, so that people will be caused to understand the teaching and cultivate The Way.

18.

I vow to cultivate the dharmas of great compassion and obtain the five eyes and six spiritual penetrations.

19.

I vow always to translate the Sutras, Vinaya, and Sastras, and the like.

20.

I vow to always make these vows.

21.

I vow to recite these vows and judge my behavior every day.