All 108 Vows of Korean Buddhism (Templestay Experience)

During my recent Templestay Experience at Bonguensa Temple in Seoul, I had the opportunity to learn and try the daily rituals of 108 Vows that are typically performed by Korean Buddhists every day. For each Vow, monks or practicing Buddhists will complete a full bow to show their dedication to Buddha. You can read through all 108 Vows here, and watch my complete Templestay experience below.

My Essential Korea Travel Resources :
There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

For flights, I recommend using Hopper to compare the cheapest travel dates to South Korea.

Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to have a copy of your international driver's permit with you!

I always use AGODA's  easy-to-use platform for hotels in Asia.

To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required) - make sure to have NordVPN ready too while you surf random wifi connections.

For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.

Lastly, my essential packing list when traveling.

What are the 108 Vows?

The 108 Vows are practiced daily by Buddhists, and are accompanied by a full bow for each vow. A full bow consists of beginning in a standing position, bending down to your knees in a crouch like position, continuing to bend and touching your forehead on the mat while raising your hands upwards, and then coming back up. Although completing 108 bows may sound like a lot, in reality the daily ritual goes fairly quickly.

My Favorite Tours in Seoul :
- Full Day DMZ Tour from Seoul
- Lotte World Tower at Seoul Sky
- Nami Island & Alpaca World

The 108 Vows of Buddhism

1. With a pure heart, I take refuge in the sacred Buddha.

2. With a pure heart, I take refuge in the sacred Dharma.

3. With a pure heart, I take refuge in the sacred Sangha.

4. I will bear in mind the truth that all beings will eventually cease to exist.

5. I will bear in mind that only the spirit of togetherness can help beings survive.

6. Understanding impermanence, I will escape the life of suffering.

7. Understanding non-self, I will seek true happiness.

8. I will realize that a deluded mind causes distress.

9. I will gradually come to know that suffering comes from attachments.

10. I will pacify my mind not to become greedy or feel rage.

11. Finding the right path to enlightenment, I will practice diligently.

12. I will overcome self-centeredness in regard to life and death.

13. I will come to know that my happiness lies in the happiness of the world.

14. I will be generous and help others unconditionally and without bias.

15. Observing the precepts thoroughly, I will always act with compassion.

16. With steadfast patience and endurance, I will accept hardship as a stepping stone to happiness.

17. With diligence and sincerity, I will Buddhism into action in daily life.

18. Based on the power of patience and diligence, I will attain enlightenment.

19. Putting all effort toward finding truth, I will lead the world to peace.

20. I will live wisely and compassionately as the Buddha did.

21. Dispelling my delusions, I will retain the light of wisdom.

22. With right view, I will regard the world impartially.

23. With right thought, I will think in accordance with propriety.

24. With right speech, I will speak only true and helpful words to all.

25. With right action, I will engage in acts helpful to the world.

26. With right livelihood, I won't cause harm to others or myself.

27. With right effort, I will keep moving forward toward truth.

28. With right awareness, I will always live a mindful life.

29. With right practice, I won't lose peace of mind.

​30. Wherever I am, I will follow the Buddha's perfect truth.

31. With the beauty of perfect dharma, I will brightly illuminate the world.

32. With harmony in speech and action, I will peacefully coexist with others.

33. With harmony in intention and precepts, I will work and practice with others.

34. With harmony in thought and gain, I will share with others peacefully.

35. I will respect and make harmony with all beings.

36. I will not wound or harm any living being.

37. I will not use anyone with immoral intent or influence.

38. Deceiving no one, I will build wholesome connections.

39. I will not hurt anyone with harsh words.

40. Pacifying my mind, I will not behave greedily.

41. Thinking twice, I won't act in anger.

42. With honest and sincere words and deeds, I will care for all beings. 

43. I will practice respect and forgiveness instead of arrogance and anger.

44. I will readily share my possessions and joyfully disseminate truth.

​45. I will greet others with a smile and soft words.

46. Dedicating my whole body and mind, I will do good and offer joy to others.

47. I will always put myself in other's shoes, and conduct myself properly.

48. With a humble mindset, I will uphold and serve all beings.

49. Being grateful for each small happiness, I will live a stisfied life.

50. Leading by example, I will not defer the responsibility to act to others.

51. When things must be done, I will be the first to do them.

52. For things desired by many, I will be the first to concede.

53. Together with the Buddhist fourfold community, I will propagate truth to the world.

54. Following the Buddha's example, I will steadfastly propagate the dharma.

55. I will help everyone attain the Buddha's freedom and peace.

56. Uprightly and gently I will impart Buddhism to others and society.

57. In a way to promote easier understanding for all, I will teach Buddhism.

58. Using words understandable to all, I will teach Buddhism.

59. I will earnestly introduce Buddhism first to my family and people close to me.

60. I will teach Buddhism to others regardless of class or social status.

61. I will teach Buddhism not with words only, but by example.

62. I will disseminate Buddhism for the happiness and benefit of all.

63. I wil bear in mind that all beings are inherently buddhas.

64. I will live by treating all others as inherent buddhas.

65. I will face all matters with a compassionate and good heart.

66. I will be equally kind to everyone.

67. I will praise and encourage everyone without bias.

68. I will not look down on others with arrogance.

69. I will not marginalize animals or small, trivial creatures.

70. In any dispute, I will come forward and promote reconsiliation.

71. I will not blame others for not taking my side.

72. I will not pass by someone carrying a heavy load without helping.

73. I will never turn a blind eye to people who are struggling.

74. I will contribute to social communities based on the Buddhist spirit.

​75. I will walk the Buddhist path, becoming more harmonious and mature.

76. We Buddhists will work together to resolve social issues.

77. I will strive to help Buddhists take leading roles in society.

78. I will help my children grow up properly in the bosom of Buddha.

79. I will help teenagers grow into good Buddhists.

80. I will help young college students live with more energy and freedom.

81. I will work together with the middle-aged to encourage their enthusiasm.

82. I will help the elderly to confront death with dignity.

83. With my dedication as a Buddhist, I will set an example for society.

84. To all people in society, I will be a Buddhist who practices what he preaches.

85. I will always keep, recite, and remember the Buddha's teachings.

86. I will dedicate widely the merits of my steadfast practice and generosity.

87. I will remember that the mind of non-discrimination is the buddha mind.

88. I will not judge anyone for having different thoughts from me.

89. I will not judge anyone based on their religion, culture, or identity.

90. I will neither look down on the poor nor envy the rich.

91. I will not judge people by their appearance or position.

92. I will judge based on truth, not on what benefits me.

93. I will put harmony at the top of my value system in life.

94. Embracing all impartially, I will be a true friend to all.

95. By practicing Buddhism in the secular world, I wil spread hope and courage.

96. The sincere practice of each individual will lead to the rebirth of Korean Buddhism.

97. By freeing my mind, I will work for peace in the world.

98. Sharing the pains of society, I will readily dedicate myself to it.

99. Based on the benefits of faith and practice, I will keep making new connections.

100. Sharing the merits of my practice, I will make Buddhism more dynamic.

101. I will regard the sick and lonely as inherent buddhas.

102. I will put the obvious duty of Buddhists into action here and now.

103. We, the fourfold community, will share the joy and sorrow of all citizens.

104. We, the fourfold community, will share the pains of birth, aging, sickness, and death will all people.

105. With steadfast faith and vows, I will reinvigorate Buddhism.

106. The diligent, combined efforts of the fourfold community will reinvigorate Buddhism.

107. Blessing all beings, I will repay my debt of gratitude for encountering the Buddha's teachings.

108. I will devote my whole life to propagating the Buddha's teachings.

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Other Alaska blog posts you might be interested in : 
-> My Bonguensa Templestay Experience

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Watch my Templestay Experience here!

Pin this List of the 108 Vows for Later!