Taking Refuge

[mint]

I have never taken refuge in the Three Jewels. Is there some special process that is recommended to do this?

[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

[Josef]

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.

[Kyosan]

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.

[Josef]

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.

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.

[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.

[KeithBC]

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

[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!

[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

[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.

[KeithBC]

I am ready to place my full trust in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

Congratulations! You just took Refuge.

Om mani padme hum
Keith