Strange vow

[catmoon]

The following appears in a list of bodhisattva vows, that seems quite well referenced.

14. Claiming Bodhisattvas should remain in cyclic existence.
Holding the view that Bodhisattvas should not be attracted to liberation, not be afraid of delusion and not to become separate from delusion, but rather that a Bodhisattva's job is to roam in cyclic existence for three countless aeons while cultivating enlightenment, incurs this downfall. Such an attitude shows that you do not understand the nature of cyclic existence, delusion and the Bodhisattva path. Instead, a Bodhisattva is to achieve liberation and full enlightenment in order to be of greatest benefit to others.

This seems to be in puzzling contradiction to many discussions I have read online.

[zerwe]

A different translation I have simply states in the Secondary Downfalls;

14. Claiming that Bodhisattvas need not abandon samsara.

Shaun

[LastLegend]

The following appears in a list of bodhisattva vows, that seems quite well referenced.

14. Claiming Bodhisattvas should remain in cyclic existence.
Holding the view that Bodhisattvas should not be attracted to liberation, not be afraid of delusion and not to become separate from delusion, but rather that a Bodhisattva's job is to roam in cyclic existence for three countless aeons while cultivating enlightenment, incurs this downfall. Such an attitude shows that you do not understand the nature of cyclic existence, delusion and the Bodhisattva path. Instead, a Bodhisattva is to achieve liberation and full enlightenment in order to be of greatest benefit to others.

This seems to be in puzzling contradiction to many discussions I have read online.

Claiming Bidhisattvas are not yet enlightened and they are the same as us, and will not remember a thing after rebirth and cultivate karma. In other words, still ignorant just like us. When they are enlightened, that's when they have the true vehicle to help other sentient beings.

[zerwe]

I have recently made the promise to earnestly put forth the effort to practice these vows. And, I thought it prudent to acquire a copy and explanation

that is offered by my organization. The entire time in the back of my mind, both while taking the vows and upon receiving my new copy/translation,

I was pondering this thread. And, to my surprise, I feel like this translation is much clearer in its explanation of this.

So my interpretation is that it seems to state:

In cultivating the bodhisattva path it is a wrong view to have the attitude, that while bodhisattvas must remain in cyclic existence, that it isn't necessary ( or urgent because of the great length of time) for the

boddhisattva to be engaged in combating delusion.

Shaun 

[Ben Yuan]

The following appears in a list of bodhisattva vows, that seems quite well referenced.

14. Claiming Bodhisattvas should remain in cyclic existence.
Holding the view that Bodhisattvas should not be attracted to liberation, not be afraid of delusion and not to become separate from delusion, but rather that a Bodhisattva's job is to roam in cyclic existence for three countless aeons while cultivating enlightenment, incurs this downfall. Such an attitude shows that you do not understand the nature of cyclic existence, delusion and the Bodhisattva path. Instead, a Bodhisattva is to achieve liberation and full enlightenment in order to be of greatest benefit to others.

This seems to be in puzzling contradiction to many discussions I have read online.

It seems to be very straightforward, as zerwe points out, but stated in a very awkward and roundabout syntax.