Taking Refuge
Taking Refuge
I have never taken refuge in the Three Jewels. Is there some special process that is recommended to do this?
Re: Taking Refuge
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
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
Re: Taking Refuge
Similar requirements would be necessary if one was taking ordination but none of this is required to take refuge.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.
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
Re: Taking Refuge
That's interesting. The person wouldn't need to be a priest?Nangwa wrote:Similar requirements would be necessary if one was taking ordination but none of this is required to take refuge.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.
One can take refuge from anyone who has the vows themselves.
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.
Re: Taking Refuge
Nope.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.
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
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Re: Taking Refuge
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.
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Re: Taking Refuge
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
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
Re: Taking Refuge
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!
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Re: Taking Refuge
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;
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
I do not have the luxury of remaining on a distracted path.
~ Tibetan Book of the Dead
Re: Taking Refuge
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.
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.
- KathyLauren
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Re: Taking Refuge
Congratulations! You just took Refuge.mint wrote:I am ready to place my full trust in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Om mani padme hum
Keith