The 10 Commandments are a foundational set of divine laws in Judaism and Christianity, while the 37 Bodhisattva Vows are specific practices of a Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism.
The 10 Commandments are a foundational set of divine laws in Judaism and Christianity, while the 37 Bodhisattva Vows refer to a specific practices of a Bodhisattva, rather than a standard canonical list of vows like the 18 Root Vows or 48 Branch Vows found in Mahayana Buddhism.
Key Differences:
Source and Authority: The 10 Commandments are presented as direct revelations from God in the Hebrew Bible (Exodus and Deuteronomy). The Bodhisattva path is derived from Buddhist sutras and commentaries, such as the Bodhisattva Bhumi, with the "37 Practices" specifically highlighted in teachings by the HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche & HH Dalai Lama on Bodhicitta.
Nature of Precepts: The 10 Commandments are prohibitive and prescriptive rules (e.g., "Thou shalt not kill," "Thou shalt not steal") aimed at maintaining social and spiritual order. Bodhisattva vows are aspirational and active, focusing on the cultivation of compassion and the benefit of all sentient beings, often including positive actions like sharing wealth and Dharma.
Structure: The 10 Commandments are a concise list of 10 core laws. Standard Mahayana Bodhisattva vows typically consist of 18 Root Vows and 46 Branch Vows (Tibetan tradition) or 10 Major and 48 Minor Precepts (Chinese/Zen tradition).
Goal: The 10 Commandments aim to establish a covenant between God and His people, defining moral boundaries. The Bodhisattva vows aim to achieve Buddhahood to liberate all beings from suffering, emphasizing altruism over personal liberation.
Why I don’t have any friends? Why I do not gossip or like to talk about “girly stuff” most women my age do? Why I do not discuss someone else’s personal life? Why I do not bother others with my personal problems or Dramas? Why I spend soooo much time in silence? That’s why. I follow my personal faith. Not social Faith. Personal Faith.
I care, how I will die & where I will be born next, if I ever decide to come back at all after this hell. We do have a right to chose, you know?
The 18 Root Bodhisattva Vows:
A practitioner must abandon the following actions, which constitute a "Root Downfall", if committed with the four binding factors (Lack of recognition: Not seeing the action as wrong or disregarding the negative karma created; No intention to refrain: Having no wish or intention to stop repeating the behavior in the future; Delight in the action: Feeling joy, pride, or satisfaction in having committed the negative act; Absence of self-respect: Having no moral self-dignity or consideration for how the action reflects on oneself or others.)(except for Vows 9 and 18, where the mental act itself is a complete transgression):
Praising oneself and belittling others, out of attachment to offerings, fame, or reputation.
Not sharing Wealth or Dharma, with those who are suffering or request teachings.
Not forgiving others, even when they apologize for their wrongdoings.
Doubting or denying the doctrine of the Great Vehicle (Mahayana).
Taking offerings intended for the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha). DO NOT STEAL.
Abandoning the doctrine through sectarianism or criticizing other vehicles. DO NOT GOSSIP.
Causing an ordained person (monk or nun) to disrobe. DO NOT LIE.
Committing one of the five crimes of immediate retribution (killing mother, killing father, killing an arhat, shedding Buddha's blood, causing schism in the Sangha). DO NOT KILL.
Holding perverted views, specifically denying that the Lesser Vehicle (Theravada) leads to liberation or that bodhisattvas do not abandon attachment. ***
Destroying places such as towns or communities.
Teaching emptiness to those who are untrained and cannot comprehend it, leading them to despair.***
Discouraging others from seeking full enlightenment or from practicing the Bodhisattva path.
Causing others to break the vows of Individual Liberation (Pratimoksha).
Belittling those who follow the path of Individual Liberation.
Proclaiming false realizations, such as claiming to have realized emptiness when one has not.
Accepting gifts that were misappropriated from the belongings of the Three Jewels.
Laying down harmful regulations or passing false judgment on practitioners.
Giving up the pledge of altruistic aspiration (Bodhicitta), either by abandoning the wish to benefit all beings or by giving up the determination to attain enlightenment. ***
Here is the truth: if any human being on the planet, will wake up in the morning pre-programed to function just like this: do not lie, do not steal, do not kill, and actually go on with their day, without these three intentions & actions, can you image how much better our World would become overnight? Can you autopilot your mind to: NEVER to GOSSIP, NEVER to WISH ILL on anyone, NEVER to KILL, NEVER to wish possessing more than you already have & NEVER to STEAL, from anyone; NEVER to LIE, no matter what.
Wake up & make a cup of coffee,& while, drinking it, just think:
Today I VOW to:
NEVER to GOSSIP
NEVER to WISH ILL on anyone
NEVER to KILL
NEVER to wish possessing more than you already have, (including sleeping with someone else’s spouse or simply cheating or committing infidelity)
NEVER to STEAL, from anyone
NEVER to LIE, no matter what, or at least TODAY, for the next 24 hours
Can you do it? No, you can’t. That’s your truth & that’s your problem … You are not on this “Autopilot Yet”. Do you get it? You see, Buddha, Jesus or any of the spiritual leaders? They are beings, that ... do not need anything, yet they do have it all. Ironically - they do not need it. None of it.
They have it all - but they don’t really need it. They still all have amazing corporate careers, believe it or not. Don’t think Spiritual Being are not interested in career. This is where you are very, very wrong. Spiritual beings run their own Spiritual Corporations. But? Their intentions are very different, very much different form the Wall Street. They rule the Bigger Reality, Real Reality.
By the way, do you know who was Shantideva? Вот то то и оно ... I really like this particular practice: The Precious Jewelled Key: A Synopsis of the Aspiration of the Great Perfection Mañjuśrī ® by Jamyang Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö. It is an AMAZING prayer, for CLEARING MENTAL CHAOS. Just read it & try to settle in (analyze the meaning of each verse for a little bit), every verse.
Last, but not least: neither God, nor Jesus nor the Buddha - were ever poor. That’s for sure. What is the main social difference: most lower classes are not willing to follow basic mental social training rules or laws, as they see it as … “infringement of their social freedom”, which ever that may be …
Why do Bodhisattvas do it to themselves? Such a set ot rules, mental juggle, always being ware of what you think & why? If you train to autopilot to “NOT TO”, you have a clear view of what you want & truly need to enjoy your present moment.
