Taking Refuge

General discussion, particularly exploring the Dharma in the modern world.
Post Reply
User avatar
mint
Posts: 436
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2011 6:45 pm

Taking Refuge

Post by mint »

I have never taken refuge in the Three Jewels. Is there some special process that is recommended to do this?
User avatar
Lhug-Pa
Posts: 1429
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:58 pm

Re: Taking Refuge

Post by Lhug-Pa »

From what I understand, Taking Refuge must be in the presence of a qualified teacher and/or at least five ordained Sangha members.

In Dzogchen, I believe that Receiving Transmission or the Pointing Out Instructions of the Direct Introduction to the Nature of Mind, automatically includes Refuge.

There are at least four levels of Refuge as well:

Outer: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha

Inner: Guru, Yidam, and Dakini

Secret: Bindu/Thig-le, Prana/rLung, and Nadi/rTsa

Ultimate or Innermost-Secret: Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya, and Nirmanakaya
User avatar
Josef
Posts: 2611
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 6:44 pm

Re: Taking Refuge

Post by Josef »

Lhug-Pa wrote:From what I understand, Taking Refuge must be in the presence of a qualified teacher and/or at least five ordained Sangha members.
Similar requirements would be necessary if one was taking ordination but none of this is required to take refuge.

One can take refuge from anyone who has the vows themselves.
"All phenomena of samsara depend on the mind, so when the essence of mind is purified, samsara is purified. Since the phenomena of nirvana depend on the pristine consciousness of vidyā, because one remains in the immediacy of vidyā, buddhahood arises on its own. All critical points are summarized with those two." - Longchenpa
Kyosan
Posts: 331
Joined: Fri Oct 15, 2010 10:57 pm
Location: USA, Tucson

Re: Taking Refuge

Post by Kyosan »

Nangwa wrote:
Lhug-Pa wrote:From what I understand, Taking Refuge must be in the presence of a qualified teacher and/or at least five ordained Sangha members.
Similar requirements would be necessary if one was taking ordination but none of this is required to take refuge.

One can take refuge from anyone who has the vows themselves.
That's interesting. The person wouldn't need to be a priest?

When I took refuge, it was with two priests at a temple. There probably wouldn't have needed to be two priests, but they both attended because they both knew me and were both living at the temple and conducted ceremonies together.
:namaste:
User avatar
Josef
Posts: 2611
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 6:44 pm

Re: Taking Refuge

Post by Josef »

Kyosan wrote: That's interesting. The person wouldn't need to be a priest?

When I took refuge, it was with two priests at a temple. There probably wouldn't have needed to be two priests, but they both attended because they both knew me and were both living at the temple and conducted ceremonies together.
:namaste:
Nope.
The Buddhist preist is a cultural phenomena that is really quite new. It doesnt really exist anywhere outside of Japanese tradition as far as I know.
"All phenomena of samsara depend on the mind, so when the essence of mind is purified, samsara is purified. Since the phenomena of nirvana depend on the pristine consciousness of vidyā, because one remains in the immediacy of vidyā, buddhahood arises on its own. All critical points are summarized with those two." - Longchenpa
User avatar
LastLegend
Posts: 5408
Joined: Sat Mar 19, 2011 3:46 pm
Location: Northern Virginia

Re: Taking Refuge

Post by LastLegend »

If there is a teacher present, that's fine. If there is no teacher, you just take it in your heart. In other words, you can just follow the teachings and practice as your commitment. Buddhism values substance more than talks without actual practice.
It’s eye blinking.
User avatar
KathyLauren
Posts: 967
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:22 pm
Location: East Coast of Canada
Contact:

Re: Taking Refuge

Post by KathyLauren »

Of course, it is best taken in the presence of a teacher, who can explain what it means.

But, if you understand what refuge means, and there is no teacher available, you can take refuge by yourself, visualizing all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Arhats as your witnesses. Refuge is how you feel in your heart and how you behave, not a ceremony.

Om mani padme hum
Keith
User avatar
Thug4lyfe
Posts: 454
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2011 11:40 pm

Re: Taking Refuge

Post by Thug4lyfe »

It's very handy to do it Chinese style in a huge temple with serious ceremonies!!! Makes the event that much more significant in your mind!
Image
User avatar
Bonsai Doug
Posts: 64
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 3:08 pm

Re: Taking Refuge

Post by Bonsai Doug »

Yes, take it in your heart. I do so every morning before and after my sitting.

If you have no temple near you, and you'd like to make your refuge vows a little more
"official," you can take them online. The Saddhamma Sangha run by Bhikkhu Samahita
offers online vows here: http://what-buddha-said.net/sangha/Sangha_Entry.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Now having obtained a precious human body,
I do not have the luxury of remaining on a distracted path.

~ Tibetan Book of the Dead
User avatar
mint
Posts: 436
Joined: Thu Sep 22, 2011 6:45 pm

Re: Taking Refuge

Post by mint »

I'm still very much solitary in my practice, having never yet stepped foot into a Dharma Center much less any temple - not that there are any temples.

Though my practice is far from stable or even ideal, I know I am ready to place my full trust in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
User avatar
KathyLauren
Posts: 967
Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 5:22 pm
Location: East Coast of Canada
Contact:

Re: Taking Refuge

Post by KathyLauren »

mint wrote:I am ready to place my full trust in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Congratulations! You just took Refuge. :bow:

Om mani padme hum
Keith
Post Reply

Return to “Dharma in Everyday Life”