Bodhisattva Vow

[Skull]

best song off IC? I mean come on, the tune is fitting for the song and its just another masterpeice from yauch.

anyone agree with me?

[enree erzweglle]

raises hand

The lyrics of that song alone brought me to the Beasties.

[YoungRemy]

any Yauch solo track(y)


"Year and a Day"
"Namaste" and "Stand together"
"Bodhisattva Vow" and "The Update"
"Flowin prose" and "I Don't Know"

[Skull]

any Yauch solo track(y)


"Year and a Day"
"Namaste" and "Stand together"
"Bodhisattva Vow" and "The Update"
"Flowin prose" and "I Don't Know"


agreed, but I didnt know he did I dont know, and wheres year and a day?

[Weezman]

I Don't Know

Album ....Hello Nasty (1998)

Song lyrics


What's pleasing to the eye
In the delusion of my sight
Is not what I find when I reach into the light
I have lost my mind
I'm walking through time
Deluded as the next guy
Pretending and hoping to find
That distant peace of mind
I don't know
Who does know
There is no
Where to go

It's not so simple as I try to wish
But then again what is?
There is no other worthy quest
So on I go

[Clarence]

"Year and a Day" is the SHIT. Heard it live w/Adrock on the tables...no shit

Thanks Youch!!!

[Weezman]

....."Year and a Day" !!!

That song is a MASTERPIECE


Then to hear the next tune......."HEEELLLLOOOOO BROOKLYN"!!!! What is the name of the folllowing song.

[Junker]

best song off IC? I mean come on, the tune is fitting for the song and its just another masterpeice from yauch.

anyone agree with me?

dude........for sure is a fucking song. But you cant say is the best track of IC. C'mon.....what about Sabotage???? Did you forget Sabotage?

[Weezman]

dude........for sure is a fucking song. But you cant say is the best track of IC. C'mon.....what about Sabotage???? Did you forget Sabotage?


Flute Loop....Root Down.....B Boys Makin w/ Freak freak.

Those are the tops on that album.....anyone agree??

[enree erzweglle]

dude........for sure is a fucking song. But you cant say is the best track of IC. C'mon.....what about Sabotage???? Did you forget Sabotage?
I think it's the best song there because the lyrics mean so much to me. They blew me away when I read them (I read them first and listened to them later) and when I heard them against the music, I was numb. Beautiful, simplistic, expressive translation of Shantideva's work. It's art.

[Weezman]

I think it's the best song there because the lyrics mean so much to me. They blew me away when I read them (I read them first and listened to them later) and when I heard them against the music, I was numb. Beautiful, simplistic, expressive translation of Shantideva's work. It's art.


you know i havent had the pleaure of listening to the lyrics that much....but i am today.....care to express the lyrics?? Dont get me wrong , i am a lyrics kinda person when it comes to music....especially B-BOYs...but i just havent listen to that particular song...closely?

[BOBBY DIGITAL]

Namaste is my favorite Yauch creation.

[enree erzweglle]

you know i havent had the pleaure of listening to the lyrics that much....but i am today.....care to express the lyrics??
It's after a poem written by Acharya Shantideva, who was a monk in the 8th century. The poem is called A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life and is a gorgeous, simple piece that teaches how to be compassionate and patient (among other things).

Last year, I was looking for a particular translation of the piece titled, "The Bodhisattva Vow" on Google when I came across the Beasties song. It blew me away in its beauty and elegance. And then it blew me away again when I realized that it was written/performed by a rap group.

Honestly, if you read the lyrics of that song you'll essentially get the Cliff's notes version of the entire work. It's really such an achievement.

If you want a good translation of the entire piece, try to find this book, which is my favorite in terms of presentation & translation:

A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life
translated by Stephen Batchelor (first printing in 1979)

You can find translations on the Web but they can be confusing because of the layout and maybe the quality of the translation itself. The two that come to mind are here (http://www.american-buddha.com/bodhi.1.htm) and here (http://www.shantideva.net/guide_ch1.htm).

I've been studying this for several years...it's what I do when I'm not working, sleeping, or exercising. Or being here, I guess. :) In August, I'll be attending talks on this very topic given by the Dalai Lama. I've been trying to get to this talk or a subset of it for several years and this is the first time that it'll work out logistically and economically. I'll think of you all when I'm there...hope I can learn even just one thing.

Take care & let me know if you want more info about this stuff...

[Weezman]

Take care & let me know if you want more info about this stuff...[/QUOTE]




On this quote: "It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. "
--Aristotle

Would it be safe to say that this quote means.....Having a GREAT imagination, but not to take yourself too seriously??

[enree erzweglle]

On this quote: "It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. "
--Aristotle

Would it be safe to say that this quote means.....Having a GREAT imagination, but not to take yourself too seriously??

I -just- swapped that Aristotle quote into and then out of my signature. Now I have a Bill Maher quote in there.

I take that Aristotle quote this way: Keep your mind and heart open to all things.

[SuckerMC]

there is no way that bodhivista vow is th best track on IC... no way... its good and meaningful.... but i wanna be able to bounce and funk out to beastie songs!! thats why root down, laright hear this, flute loop and do it are better.... not taking anything away from yauch, cos his solos are my fav songs... i mean, a year and a day RULES!!! b-boy boulibisse is so incredible that i cant describe it!!!!!!!
and stand together is so often overlooked due to the massive power of so watchya want, stand together also rocks!!!!

and of course i dont know is the perfect chill out song... amazing also

[n1keman]

Great track, but not quite the best on the album, but everyones view is different. The world would be a boring place otherwise. :D

[SILVERBEASTIE]

Great track, but not quite the best on the album, but everyones view is different. The world would be a boring place otherwise. :D

[SILVERBEASTIE]

Great track, but not quite the best on the album, but everyones view is different. The world would be a boring place otherwise. :D

Couldn't have said it better myself!

[Skull]

there is no way that bodhivista vow is th best track on IC... no way... its good and meaningful.... but i wanna be able to bounce and funk out to beastie songs!! thats why root down, laright hear this, flute loop and do it are better.... not taking anything away from yauch, cos his solos are my fav songs... i mean, a year and a day RULES!!! b-boy boulibisse is so incredible that i cant describe it!!!!!!!
and stand together is so often overlooked due to the massive power of so watchya want, stand together also rocks!!!!

and of course i dont know is the perfect chill out song... amazing also


good balance there, I cant argue with it. but theres just one question I wana know: which fucking album is year and I day on then?

[enree erzweglle]

good balance there, I cant argue with it. but theres just one question I wana know: which fucking album is year and I day on then?
That's part of B-Boy Bouillabaisse from Paul's Boutique.

That song is broken down into several sub-songs with these titles:

59 chrystie street
get on the mic
stop that train
year and a day
hello brooklyn
dropping names
lay it on me
mike on the mic
a.w.o.l.

I pulled those titles from here (http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/beastie-boys/14164.html).

[Junker]

good balance there, I cant argue with it. but theres just one question I wana know: which fucking album is year and I day on then?

Actually the reply above mine had already answered your question. But I gotta complement the answer: "Year and a Day" is from the Beastie Boys Masterpiece, called Paul's Boutique.

[Skull]

ty guys, I'll have to listen to all of the song, lol

[YoungRemy]

As I Develop The Awakening Mind
I Praise The Buddhas As They Shine...

[enree erzweglle]

As I Develop The Awakening Mind
I Praise The Buddhas As They Shine...
It's genius in its simplicity and in how it covers so much in just a few minutes.

I've often wondered how this song came to be.
Did he work on it over time or did it just come in a blast--like quick, I need a pen and paper so that I can get this down.

[YoungRemy]

It's genius in its simplicity and in how it covers so much in just a few minutes.

I've often wondered how this song came to be.
Did he work on it over time or did it just come in a blast--like quick, I need a pen and paper so that I can get this down.

youre gonna love this, since you are going to study under the Dalai Lama

"The first time I ever attended a teaching by the Dalai Lama was in the spring of '93, right in the middle of the scheduled recording time for what would become the Check Your Head album. Adam and Mike, knowing how important it was to me, agreed to take that week off. So I signed up for the five-day teaching and then began to study the recommended texts. There were several books that we were asked to read before attending the course, but the most important one, the one that the course was based on, was by Shantideva, an Indian Buddhist scholar who lived in the 8th century. In fact the entire five-day course was to be based on one chapter of that book, the chapter on patience. The book was called the "Bodhicaryavatara," which translates into English as "A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life." I worked hard at studying the texts. Although I had taken prior interest in spirituality, I had never seriously studied it in Buddhist terms. The general concept behind the song was to take the meaning of Shantideva's text, at least on the level that I understood it, and compress it into a modernized, three-verse rhyming song. In retrospect, it was rather a bold move. People who write Buddhist texts generally spend most of their lives studying them beforehand. The idea that a person could read a couple of books, go to one teaching, and then attempt to write an updated abridged version of the Bodhicaryavatara is presumptuous at best" - Adam Yauch, 1999



...I Bow Before You As I Travel My Path
To Join Your Ranks I Make My Full Time Task...

[YoungRemy]

"The main thing I'm striving for right now is integrating the ability to only put out positive energy toward all other beings. I want to integrate that into having fun and functioning in the band" - Adam Yauch, 1994

For The Sake Of All Beings I Seek
The Enlighted Mind That I Know I'll Reap

"[It's about] someone who has decided to strive to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all other beings, to better assist all other beings in avoiding suffering and attaining happiness - following the spiritual path to end the cycle of death and rebirth, learn whatever lessons need to be learned on this planet" - Adam Yauch, July 1994

Respect To Shantideva And All The Others
Who Brought Down The Darma For Sisters And Brothers

"I have taken the Bodhisattva Vow, but I would like to clarify something. A lot of people have the misconception that taking the Bodhisattva Vow delays enlightenment until all other sentient beings attain enlightenment, and that is not really it. The Bodhisattva Vow means striving for enlightenment to better help all other sentient beings attain enlightenment. That's an important issue - the objective of that Vow. Being enlightened is the best way to benefit all other beings - from that place you're able to help more" - Adam Yauch, 1997

I Give Thanks For This World As A Place To Learn
And For This Human Body That I Know I've Earned

"[The Bodhisattva Vow is] a pledge to attain enlightenment not only for one's benefit but for the benefit of all beings. If you attain it for yourself, then you're better equipped to assist others and therefore help alleviate suffering" - Adam Yauch

And My Deepest Thanks To All Sentient Beings
For Without Them There Would Be No Place To Learn What I'm Seeing

[enree erzweglle]

youre gonna love this, since you are going to study under the Dalai Lama

"The first time I ever attended a teaching by the Dalai Lama was in the spring of '93, right in the middle of the scheduled recording time for what would become the Check Your Head album. Adam and Mike, knowing how important it was to me, agreed to take that week off. So I signed up for the five-day teaching and then began to study the recommended texts. There were several books that we were asked to read before attending the course, but the most important one, the one that the course was based on, was by Shantideva, an Indian Buddhist scholar who lived in the 8th century. In fact the entire five-day course was to be based on one chapter of that book, the chapter on patience. The book was called the "Bodhicaryavatara," which translates into English as "A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life." I worked hard at studying the texts. Although I had taken prior interest in spirituality, I had never seriously studied it in Buddhist terms. The general concept behind the song was to take the meaning of Shantideva's text, at least on the level that I understood it, and compress it into a modernized, three-verse rhyming song. In retrospect, it was rather a bold move. People who write Buddhist texts generally spend most of their lives studying them beforehand. The idea that a person could read a couple of books, go to one teaching, and then attempt to write an updated abridged version of the Bodhicaryavatara is presumptuous at best" - Adam Yauch, 1999



...I Bow Before You As I Travel My Path
To Join Your Ranks I Make My Full Time Task...

:eek: :eek: I didn't know that. So. Wow.
I have no words.

Which must shock the shit out of anyone reading this who knows how long and pointless my typical posts are.

I'm blown away.

YoungRemy, thanks for posting that. Seriously.

All that and a sunny, cloudless, 93-degree day outside.

Life is so good.

[YoungRemy]

There's Nothing Here That's Not Been Said Before
But Though I Put It Down Now So That I'll Be Sure
To Solidify My Own Views
And I'll Be Glad If It Helps Anyone Else Out Too

[enree erzweglle]

(y) I'm smiling.

[sXe Boogaloo]

best song off IC? I mean come on, the tune is fitting for the song and its just another masterpeice from yauch.

anyone agree with me?
i must agree on that one. another jem for the treasure box of all things yauch. but then again, when has the man NOT delivered a classic, c'mon?!

in fact, i have the lyrics for "Bodhisattva Vow" printed, posted, and framed on my night stand, desk and on my refrigerator. i love the words to it. i find the lyrics very inspirational. it's like one of those uplifting posters people get..yknow the kind? like, the ones you see in a dentist office or in a school class room? anyway, that's a great song..musically, lyrically and to me spiritual too.

yauch, stand up, son and represent.
good vibes keep flowing just like you intent.
ah, so beautiful.

adam, namaste

[Justin]

Definately a song for the 'rabid' fan.

[Skull]

youre gonna love this, since you are going to study under the Dalai Lama

"The first time I ever attended a teaching by the Dalai Lama was in the spring of '93, right in the middle of the scheduled recording time for what would become the Check Your Head album. Adam and Mike, knowing how important it was to me, agreed to take that week off. So I signed up for the five-day teaching and then began to study the recommended texts. There were several books that we were asked to read before attending the course, but the most important one, the one that the course was based on, was by Shantideva, an Indian Buddhist scholar who lived in the 8th century. In fact the entire five-day course was to be based on one chapter of that book, the chapter on patience. The book was called the "Bodhicaryavatara," which translates into English as "A Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life." I worked hard at studying the texts. Although I had taken prior interest in spirituality, I had never seriously studied it in Buddhist terms. The general concept behind the song was to take the meaning of Shantideva's text, at least on the level that I understood it, and compress it into a modernized, three-verse rhyming song. In retrospect, it was rather a bold move. People who write Buddhist texts generally spend most of their lives studying them beforehand. The idea that a person could read a couple of books, go to one teaching, and then attempt to write an updated abridged version of the Bodhicaryavatara is presumptuous at best" - Adam Yauch, 1999



...I Bow Before You As I Travel My Path
To Join Your Ranks I Make My Full Time Task...


you got that out of the anthology, I was gona say bout that, lol

[enree erzweglle]

you got that out of the anthology, I was gona say bout that, lol
Anthology is Sounds of Science, right? So this is in an accomanying booklet/notes. I have to look at that. Something I've rarely done in my life with any music that I've owned. Looks like I'm missing out by not doing that.

[YoungRemy]

there is a great story how Yauch overslept and missed a lesson one day and had to go into a side room with a closed caption monitor. when the teaching was finished, His holiness comes through the room and Yauch and the Dalai Lama took hands and just laughed in each others faces...
enree, look at pgs 47-48





If Others Disrespect Me Or Give Me Flack
I'll Stop And Think Before I React
Knowing That They're Going Through Insecure Stages
I'll Take The Opportunity To Exercise Patience

[enree erzweglle]

there is a great story how Yauch overslept and missed a lesson one day and had to go into a side room with a closed caption monitor. when the teaching was finished, His holiness comes through the room and Yauch and the Dalai Lama took hands and just laughed in each others faces...
enree, look at pgs 47-48
That is so sweet. Sweet in a good way, not a Napoleon Dynamite way. :D

I have heard similar stories about these courses, that you have to be there on time or else risk missing an entire module.

It's the main reason why I'm getting there 1.5 days ahead of time so that I can plot out the trains to the venue!

Poor Yauch, having to watch it remotely but yikes, to shake hands with the Dalai Lama after...I'd be intimidated to do that. I hear he's a sweet heart, though.

I'm going to have to read that anthology booklet cover to cover.

Thank you, again, for posting that extra bit and the first bit, again, too. I owe you.
Do you need to have anything edited? :D

[YoungRemy]

Do you need to have anything edited? :D


...Nip It In The Bud Before It Can Worsen
A Change For Me To Be Strong And Sure
As I Think On The Buddhas Who Have Come Before
As I Praise And Respect The Good They've Done
Knowing Only Love Can Conquer In Every Situation
We Need Other People In Order To Create
The Circumstances For The Learning That We're Here To Generate
Situations That Bring Up Our Deepest Fears
So We Can Work To Release Them Until They're Cleared
Therefore It Only Makes Sense
To Thank Our Enemies Despite Their Intent

[enree erzweglle]

If Others Disrespect Me Or Give Me Flack
I'll Stop And Think Before I React
Knowing That They're Going Through Insecure Stages
I'll Take The Opportunity To Exercise Patience
I'll See It As A Chance To Help The Other Person
Nip It In The Bud Before It Can Worsen
A Change For Me To Be Strong And Sure
As I Think On The Buddhas Who Have Come Before
As I Praise And Respect The Good They've Done
Knowing Only Love Can Conquer In Every Situation
We Need Other People In Order To Create
The Circumstances For The Learning That We're Here To Generate
Situations That Bring Up Our Deepest Fears
So We Can Work To Release Them Until They're Cleared
Therefore It Only Makes Sense
To Thank Our Enemies Despite Their Intent

In another thread--I forget which one--someone brought up about how if live is boring all the time, you never grow.

I should point them to the last few lines of these lyrics because they address an aspect of that perfectly.

Your enemies provide the friction in life that motivates you to change and to grow. It's just a recurring theme in life -- sometimes the negative forces the positive. I've seen it happen so much personally and with others, and although it's still hard to face tough times, knowing this even as just a whisper in my mind makes it that much easier to face it in the right way.

This is why I love that song so. It stretches way, way beyond an interesting beat and vocals.

[Skull]

Anthology is Sounds of Science, right? So this is in an accomanying booklet/notes. I have to look at that. Something I've rarely done in my life with any music that I've owned. Looks like I'm missing out by not doing that.


yea correct

[YoungRemy]

The Bodhisattva Path Is One Of Power And Strength
A Strength From Within To Go The Length
Seeing Others Are As Important As Myself
I Strive For A Happiness Of Mental Wealth

[miss soul fire]

any Yauch solo track(y)


"Year and a Day"
"Namaste" and "Stand together"
"Bodhisattva Vow" and "The Update"
"Flowin prose" and "I Don't Know"
Good selection you got there. "Year and a Day" is one of their best sons in my opinion. The content of that song is great.

But since we're talking about Ill Communication, I'd go with "Futterman's Rule".

[YoungRemy]

With The Interconnectedness That We Share As One
Every Action That We Take Affects Everyone
So In Deciding For What A Situation Calls
There Is A Path For The Good For All