Taking refuge

3 posts · started by raychin on 06/05/02 at 22:10:30 · last post 06/06/02 at 06:06:31

raychin06/05/02 at 22:10:30#1

when i took refuge i didn't even know what tibetan buddhism was. i was always interested in buddhism. didn't even know that u had to take refuge in order to practice it. so when i took refuge and gave my donation to GM, i just said "what the heck? I'll give this a shot." my friends took refuge in GM already. my question is if i didn't make any vows or committments when i got the certificate, does that hinder my practice? do i need to take refuge again w/ the full intention of committing myself to GM?

thanks. ray

Last edited 08/12/02 at 18:32:05 by Buddhafly

Buddhafly06/06/02 at 06:05:43#2Re: taking refuge

Hello Ray.

I can only answer from my own experience. When I first took refuge, I had no idea of the precepts or the commitments etc. When I found out then I took everything more seriously as time went on. If you took remote refuge then by taking refuge with a Master it would be more ........powerful....I am not sure if that is the right word.
I am unsure if one can take refuge with another Master besides Grand Master Lu.

If anyone has more of how to answer Ray's question please do.

Thanks.
Brenda

lian hua dance06/06/02 at 06:06:31#3Re: taking refuge

:)
My understanding:
I have never seen any reference to having to take refuge over again. GM mentions that it is OK to have empowerments over again (just OK, not necessary). For empowerments, he says that if someone has an empowerment, but doesn't do the practice, the empowerment remains good, but inert, until activated by the cultivator doing the practice.

I would think taking refuge might be somewhat similar. If someone takes refuge without really knowing what it is about, it will be less powerful, but as understanding and practice grow, the meaning and power of the original refuge will grow with the cultivator. You aren't going to leave the refuge behind somewhere as you progress. You will be giving meaning to it from your side. The empowerment from GM's side is already there, and not growing moldy.

You ask if i didn't make any vows or committments when i got the certificate, does that hinder my practice?
Making vows or committments would strengthen your practice, no matter when you make them. When I got my certificate, I thought "Hey, what a cool certificate!" I don't think I will be judged for the superficiality of my appreciation of what I was getting in to.

I am sure I didn't know just what I was doing when I took refuge. I am glad I did, though! I didn't know what I was doing when I chose a college, career, etc., but I don't have to apply to college all over again after I discover that I actually like attending the college I ended up at!

So everything is just fine from every perspective, and you are a lucky guy. Don't wait for an extra piece of paper intend to fully commit yourself to GM. The intention and the commitment are the currency. You already have the passport and are living in the country. An extra passport will not bring you any closer!

lian hua dance