"Taking refuge" makes the difference between Buddhists and non-Buddhists. It
is not really necessary to take refuge in a formal session with a teacher, but
it may help to clarify your choice.
The idea behind taking refuge is that when it starts to rain, we like to find
a shelter. The Buddhist shelter from the rain of problems and pain is threefold:
the Buddha, his
teachings (the Dharma) and the
spiritual community (the Sangha). It means
that when we have some understanding about suffering, and we have confidence
that the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha (the "Three Jewels") can help us. We should
however not be taking refuge in Buddhism to avoid problems in this very life,
there are many non-religious organisations for that, but we should take refuge
to avoid problems in future lives.
We like to be free from suffering, now and in future lives. When we
understand the frustrating nature of all life, we like to be freed from cyclic
existence in general. The best reason would be the wish to free all living
(sentient) beings from suffering.
The analogy of sickness is often used; Buddha is the doctor; Dharma is the
medicine; Sangha is the nurse; we are the patient; the cure is taking the
medicine, which means practising the methods. Taking refuge is like unpacking
the medicine and deciding to follow the doctor's advice.
THE BUDDHA
Buddha means enlightened, awakened or omniscient One. A Buddha is a person
who has purified all defilements and developed all good qualities. A
Buddha is totally free from obscurations and suffering after travelling the
entire spiritual path. A Buddha started as an ordinary person and generated
infinite compassion and equanimity to arrive at a state of highest bliss, and
omniscience. But, as the Buddha himself said: "I cannot do but point the
way" - if we don't take the medicine, the doctor is helpless, but what better
doctor could we have than an omniscient one?
THE DHARMA
Dharma is a Sanskrit word, meaning doctrine, law or truth. The word Dharma
has many different connotations, but in the Buddhist sense, it refers to "what
holds back the mind from suffering", or the Buddha's teachings. In this sense,
the Dharma is the ultimate medicine against all suffering.
The Sangha refers to the spiritual community. It is defined in various ways,
like:
- Whole community of ordained and lay Buddhists. This is
however not the traditional use. - More restricted: ordained Buddhist
practitioners (monks and nuns). - Most specific: persons who have direct
perception of emptiness (ordained or lay).
The Sangha, are like other travellers on the same spiritual path, but we need
their help like nurses with the correct medicine of good advice. They are our
spiritual friends who can help us stay on the right path and can share their own
experience.
If we decide to go for refuge in the three jewels, we should also commit
ourselves to the path we choose by keeping vows. The one mandatory vow is
not wanting to harm other sentient beings.
Optional other vows are:
1. Not killing: refers usually to humans, killing animals would of
course still be harming sentient beings. 2. Not stealing: not taking what
is not given; (this includes paying taxes). 3. No sexual misconduct:
refers usually to committing adultery (having sex with others when married).
4. Not lying: refers usually to not lying about spiritual attainments, but
can include all lying. 5. No intoxicants; refers traditionally to alcohol,
but anything robbing clarity of mind (like drugs) is usually included.
a. To actualise refuge in: - Buddha: commit yourself to
one master, the Buddha - Dharma: listen, study and practice Dharma to
overcome your own delusions - Sangha: respect Sangha and train in
accordance with their example
b. Try to: - subdue the body, speech and mind, instead of letting
our senses rule us, do not speak harsh, sceptical and avoid being judgmental.
- practice ethics and vows. - be kind and considerate to any living
being. - make special offerings on two special days of the year: the 15th
of 4th lunar month (around May), to celebrate birth, enlightenment and passing
away of the Buddha, and on the 4th of 6th lunar month (around July) to
celebrate the first turning of the wheel - or the first teachings of the
Buddha on the 4 Noble Truths in Sarnath.
2. Secondary
guidelines
Referring to the refuge in the: - Buddha: do not follow other,
lower beings as ultimate spiritual guides. - Dharma: do not harm or upset
humans or animals. - Sangha: do not be negatively influenced by any
extremists or others opposing our beliefs
To show respect to the: - Buddha: respect all images of the Buddha,
treat these as if they are Buddhas. - Dharma: respect texts, treat them
with utmost care. - Sangha: respect even piece of robes and all who wear
robes (despite behaviour)
3. Six points of training:
1. Take refuge in the Three Jewels, do not seek the source of your
happiness and problems outside yourself. 2. Offer the first part of food
or drink to the triple gem, by blessing it before eating or drinking by
reciting "Om Ah Hum". 3. Encourage others to become inner beings
(Buddhists) and to take refuge; but only when one is asked for advice. 4.
Recite the refuge prayer 3x in the day and 3x in the night. 5. Follow the
example of the Three Jewels, rely on them as the only trustworthy refuge
objects. 6. Never lose faith in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
I go for refuge to the Buddha, I go for refuge to the Dharma,
I go for refuge to the Sangha.
or, the Tibetan (Mahayana) version:
Until I am enlightened, I go for refuge to the Buddha, Dharma and
Sangha. Through the virtue I create by practising giving and the other
perfections, may I become a Buddha to benefit all sentient beings.
