GOING FOR REFUGE

"Taking refuge" makes the difference between Buddhists and non-Buddhists. It is not even necessary to take refuge in a formal session with a teacher, but it may help to clarify your choice and to remember your commitment.

"How do I become a Buddhist?
Once there was a man called Upali. He was the follower of another religion and he went to the Buddha in order to argue with him and try to convert him. But after talking to the Buddha, he was so impressed that he decided to become a follower of the Buddha.
But the Buddha said: "Make a proper investigation first. Proper investigation is good for a well-known person like yourself."
Upali: "Now I am even more pleased and satisfied when the Lord says to me: 'Make a proper investigation first.' For if members of another religion had secured me as a discipline they would have paraded a banner all around the town saying: 'Upali has joined our religion.' But the Lord says to me: Make a proper investigation first. Proper investigation is good for a well-known person like yourself."
In Buddhism, understanding is the most important thing and understanding takes time. So do not impulsively rush into Buddhism. Take your time, ask questions, consider carefully, and then make your decision. The Buddha was not interested in having a large number of disciples. He was concerned that people should follow his teachings as a result of a careful investigation and consideration of the facts.
From: Good Question, Good Answer by Bhikkhu Shravasti Dhammika

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 of life is threefold: the Buddha, his teachings (the Dharma) and the spiritual community (the Sangha). Taking refuge means that 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, or even better, to avoid future uncontrolled rebirths.

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. "To take refuge in the Buddha is to take refuge in someone who has let go of holding back just as you can do. To take refuge in the dharma is to take refuge in all the teachings that encourage you and nurture your inherent ability to let go of holding back. And to take refuge in the sangha is to take refuge in the community of people who share this longing to let go and open rather than shield themselves.The support we give each other as practitioners is not the usual samsaric support in which we all join the same team and complain about someone else. It's more that you're on your own, completely alone, but it's helpful to know that there are forty other people who are also going through this all by themselves. That's very supportive and encouraging. Fundamentally, even though other people can give you support, you do it yourself, and that's how you grow up in this process, rather than becoming more dependent."
From the book 'Start Where You Are' by Pema Chödrön

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?

^Top of Page

THE DHARMA

Dharma (Sanskrit) or Dhamma (Pali) means 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

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.

REFUGE VOWS

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, always implicit in taking refuge, is not wanting to harm other sentient beings. Please note that depending on tradition and teacher, some differences can appear in the exact definitions of the vows.

Optional other vows are:

1. Not killing: refers to humans and animals; it is both harming sentient beings.
2. Not stealing: not taking what is not given; (this includes not 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.

"Question: What is the difference between making a commitment by formally taking refuge (and precepts) and simply not harming? Why is the formal commitment important?
Answer: Suppose you make a commitment never to kill a dragon. Most people will never see a dragon in their entire lives; some think dragons don't exist. So, you might ask, why would anyone make a commitment not to kill a dragon? If you never kill a dragon, you aren't creating any non-virtue, yet at the same time you're not creating any virtue (merit). From the day you make a commitment not to kill a dragon, and continue to uphold that commitment, you're accumulating virtue. In taking refuge, you accumulate great virtue minute by minute as you uphold your vows.
From Chagdud Tulku: Gates to Buddhist Practice: Essential Teachings of a Tibetan Master

^Top of Page

 1. Primary guidelines

 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.

^Top of Page

HOW DO I TELL MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS?

• Perhaps it is not needed or even well-advised to make a public statement when you study Buddhism or have become a Buddhist (taken refuge). Instead, try to study and practice what you learn in everyday life; it is possible that people around you will begin to notice changes in you and when they begin inquiring, you can try to answer honestly and modestly. If people react on your positive changes you already made a very valid point why you practice. No philosophical discussion can ever beat your positive example.
• Try to avoid a heavy yes/no discussion on religion, but show what you mean with your attitude by remaining calm, not over-enthousiastic and respectful. When people notice too great excitement about your new discovery, they may fear you lost it a bit and you will now shave your head, wear robes and wander off to some strange sect etc.
• Buddhism should be taught only when others ask for it, so don't be too over-enthousiastic by throwing "the Buddhist view of the world" to everyone who comes near you, it may well have the opposite effect.

When people ask about your changes and Buddhism, it is good to reflect on below questions a bit. I have tried to give some simple answers that may be suitable for Christians (as this was my own background).

What about the changes we see in you?
I am learning about Buddhism, and I am trying to put some of their philosophy into practice. I hope the changes you see are not negative?

Do you believe in God?
That depends on how you define 'God'. I don't really believe in a God who created the universe, or who is 'all-poweful' (omnipotent). Instead, I think it is possible to develop our mind so far in a positive direction that we can become omniscient like a Buddha, really happy, and teach others to be happy.

What about the Gods in Buddhism?
Well, these are not at all like the omniscient and all-powerful God in Christianity, Judaism or Islam who created the universe. You could consider them more similar to the Greek gods, they may live happier lives then humans, but ultimately they will die and be reborn as for example a human or animal - just like us.
Because of translation issues, sometimes also Buddhas are called gods, this can be confusing in some texts.

Where did the universe come from if not from God?
In Buddhism, the universe is a cyclic process, like life, it arises and ends, only to arise again. But in a philosophical sense, we cannot answer this question easily; a philosopher could also ask a Christian, "Even if God created the universe, where did God come from?".

Do you believe in rebirth/reincarnation?
I think we will not completely stop at the time of death, but our mind continues to experience for example a hellish or heavenly state, as a human, or as an animal. Of course, even in most traditions of Christianity, Judaism or Islam, people believe in going to heaven or hell etc. in the 'afterlife', so also there something appears to continue after death.

If we all come back, where do all the new people come from; human population on the earth keeps growing?
We can be reborn in may other places in the universe, or even as animals as well. If you look at how many species of animals are dying out, just these numbers easily make up for the extra humans.

Will you shave your head and wear robes now?
Just like most Christians do not become monks or nuns, only people who like may chose to become Buddhist monks or nuns. Lay-persons do not wear robes or need to shave their heads or be celibate.

What about this altar thing you have with an image of the Buddha and offerings?
I do not worship the Buddha like the Christians worship God, but it is a way to remind myself of and show respect to the Buddha and his teachings by making offerings.

What is karma?
In Christianity, God punishes us for a negative, selfish life and rewards us for a positive life lived for others. Similarly in Buddhism, we think that positive actions will result in happiness and negative actions (like killing, stealing and lying etc.) will result in problems for ourselves. However, these good and bad results are not handed out by a God, but it functions like a law of nature. The deciding factor in karma is the motivation we have for doing an action.

What do Buddhists believe in?
The Buddha explained that life inevitably means problems, frustration and pain (latest at death). These problems are caused by our ignorance, confused emotions and negative actions. As we decide everything with our own minds and we can all change our minds, it is possible to end problems and pain by changing our own minds and leading a wiser and more positive life. Once we completely understand the world, we can make an end to all our suffering and go to Nirvana, which is not unlike the permanent Christian heaven or even become a Buddha with an all-knowing mind.

You may want to surf through the Frequently Asked Questions page for more similar questions and answers.

^Top of Page

Traditional Refuge Prayers

Namo Buddhaya
Namo Dharmaya
Namo Sanghaya

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.
 

Refuge Prayer by Thich Nhat-Hanh

At the foot of the Bodhi tree, beautifully seated, peaceful and smiling,
the living source of understanding and compassion, to the Buddha I go for refuge.
The path of mindful living, leading to healing, joy, and enlightenment,
the way of peace, to the Dhamma I go for refuge.
The loving and supportive community of practice, realizing harmony, awareness, and liberation,
to the Sangha I go for refuge.
I am aware that the Three Gems are within my heart, I vow to realize them.
I vow to practice mindful breathing and smiling, looking deeply into things.
I vow to understand living beings and their suffering, to cultivate compassion and loving kindness,
and to practice joy and equanimity.
I vow to offer joy to one person in the morning and to help relieve the grief of one person in the afternoon.
I vow to live simply and sanely, content with just a few possessions, and to keep my body healthy.
I vow to let go of all worry and anxiety in order to be light and free.
I am aware that I owe so much to my parents, teachers, friends and all beings.
I vow to be worthy of their trust, to practice wholeheartedly,
so that understanding and compassion will flower,
and I can help living beings be free from their suffering.
May the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha support my efforts.

LINKS

An extensive text on Refuge on the Access to Insight website (Theravada).

Just for fun:

Drawing on my fine command of language, I said nothing.
Anonymous

I don't want to belong to any club that will accept me as a member.
Groucho Marx

Honesty is the best policy, except when a woman asks, "How do I look?"
Anonymous

Previous Page | ^Top of Page | Next Page - Behaviour