Learning Buddhism starts with Taking Refuge

An Eternal Now SG

www.jenchen.org.sg

Volume 8 no 1
Voice of Bliss
Learning Buddhism starts with taking refuge in the Three Treasures

Many people share a common opinion that it suffices for a person to have a good heart and therefore there is no need to take refuge in the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha). However, do they know the true extent of their goodness?

Even if a person’s heart (mind) and his actions are so virtuous that they are reborn in the realm of heavens, and for that matter in the highest levels of the heavens which is the heaven of “non-thinking and non-non-thinking” (Naivasamjnanasamjnayatana), although there is no form (body), there is still mind-consciousness. If in this mind-consciousness there is a seed of killing which was previously planted in the mind-consciousness, that seed may still emerge and cause the person to descend to hell.

Therefore, people have to form an affinity with the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, and be illumined by the brightness of the Buddha so that they can be liberated. Such an affinity is formed by taking refuge in the Three Treasures and thereafter cultivate diligently.

The Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are the rarest and most invaluable treasures in the world. They are different from the worldly treasures, for they could not be bought nor can they be exchanged with whatever worldly materials. However, people can resonate with the Three Treasures through their faith and sincerity.

The Three Treasures of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha in Buddhism are further broken down into different perspectives. The “Sustained Three Treasures” refer to the Three Treasures that live on and sustain the Buddhism that exists in this world so as to spread and pass on to the later generations. These include the images of the Buddha which may be made of stone, clay, wood, metal, or drawings, referred to as the Buddha Treasure; the Tripitaka, the records of the teachings of the Buddha, are referred to as the Dharma Treasure. Ordained monks and nuns (bhiksu and bhiksuni) who renounced the world to cultivate and create conditions for others to practise the Buddhist path, promote the teachings of the Buddha and benefit sentient beings, and thereby continuing the wisdom-life of Buddha, are referred to as the Sangha Treasure. These are the Sustained Three Treasures.

The “Own-nature Three Treasures” refer to three attributes that everybody has. Every human being has the same pure awareness-nature as the Buddha. This is called the Treasure of Own-nature Buddha. When unorthodox or wrong thinking does not arise in our mind, and we hold right understanding and right views, then that is Treasure of Own-nature Dharma. When we learn the teachings of the Buddha and put them into practise thereby illumining our own pure brightness, that is the Treasure of Own-nature Sangha. These are the Three Treasures of Own-nature and are inspired only through the sincerity in taking refuge in the Three Treasures and cultivating according to the teachings. People should not set unrealistic goals and make casual remarks that they possess the Own-nature Three Treasures, and thus there is no need to take refuge in the Three Treasures. Such talk is sowing the seeds for hell.

The objective of taking refuge in the Three Treasures is to learn from them. Therefore, people who aspire to learn from the Buddha have to take refuge in the Three Treasures. As an illustration, a person who is studying in a certain university cannot simply say that he merely wants to pursue his studies and there is no need to bother with the enrolment. But, to obtain a recognized university qualification requires enrolment in the university, registration for examinations, diligence in the studies before one can graduate with a degree from the university. However, if a person is not enrolled in the university but he completed the course books through self-study at home, he is not recognized as having graduated from the university.

Hence, a Buddhist has to take refuge in the Three Treasures, learn the teachings of the Buddha and put them into practice. Only then may he be called an authentic practitioner of Buddhism. On the other hand, there are many people who believe in the teachings of Buddhism but they have not yet taken refuge in the Three Treasures. We cannot say that they are not Buddhists. Instead, they are better described as would-be Buddhists because they will take refuge in the Three Treasures in the future.

As Buddhists, after we have taken refuge in the Three Treasures, we still need to constantly take refuge in the “”Own-nature Three Treasures” too. When our mind resonates with the Three Treasures, we will illumine our wisdom and brightness. We will constantly be with Buddha. This is the significance of taking refuge in the Three Treasures.

Beautiful951 SG

How do we take refuge. If one chants the buddhas names. Is that considered?

An Eternal Now SG

You should find a dharma center, a monastery, whose teachings you think you resonate with.

Then, take refuge in that center, with the master or guru as witness.

You need to check out with the center/temple/monastery/etc.

Beautiful951 SG

You should find a dharma center, a monastery, whose teachings you think you resonate with.

Then, take refuge in that center, with the master or guru as witness.

You need to check out with the center/temple/monastery/etc.

That's a good thing to do. But I don't have much time for the time being.

An Eternal Now SG

That's a good thing to do. But I don't have much time for the time being.

Try to find time. Taking refuge is an important matter. It creates a karmic connection with the triple gems and is an important start of the Buddhist path.

There are many things to do in life... many times we are often so busy. But if we take into consideration the countless past lives and the possible countless future lives we have to go through if we are not liberated, we will find that our mundane concerns are really not that important after all. In fact we will be so tired of always getting caught up in the samsaric cycle.

That's why its very important not to live life in vain.

Like Bodhidharma said:

To find a Buddha all you have to do is see your nature. Your nature is the Buddha. And the Buddha is the person who’s free: free of plans, free of cares. If you don’t see your nature and run around all day looking somewhere else, you’ll never find a buddha. The truth is there’s nothing to find. But to reach such an understanding you need a teacher and you need to struggle to make yourself understand. Life and death are important. Don’t suffer them in vain.

There’s no advantage in deceiving yourself. Even if you have mountains of jewels and as many servants as there are grains of sand along the Ganges, you see them when your eyes are open. But what about when your eyes are shut? You should realize then that everything you see is like a dream or illusion.

If you don’t find a teacher soon, you’ll live this life in vain. It’s true, you have the buddha-nature. But the help of a teacher you’ll never know it. Only one person in a million becomes enlightened without a teacher’s help. If, though, by the conjunction of conditions, someone understands what the Buddha meant, that person doesn’t need a teacher. Such a person has a natural awareness superior to anything taught. But unless you’re so blessed, study hard, and by means of instruction you’ll understand.

Beautiful951 SG

Try to find time. Taking refuge is an important matter. It creates a karmic connection with the triple gems and is an important start of the Buddhist path.

That's why its very important not to live life in vain.

Like Bodhidharma said:

I was thinking of applying for a kind of talk at the temple at bishan. But did not in the end. I thought that reading the posts here is enough and not having much time then, also I always thought that pureland is a sure method to practice. I cannot be sure that I will go and listen to talks but I will make it a priority.

realization SG

Taking refuge is a one-off ceremony. They usually hold it on important Buddhist dates at least 3-4 times a year at temples such as Guang Ming Shan.

The next one may be on the 9th month of the lunar calendar. Not sure exactly when, but if you like I can find out and let you know.

An Eternal Now SG

It is also very important for pure land practitioners to take refuge - sinweiy can fill me in here.

Furthermore: pure land isn't a 'sure way' - no way is a 'sure way'. It all depends on the practitioner. Other than sincerely and frequently chanting the Buddha name, you also have to cultivate merits and wisdom.

http://www.jenchen.org.sg/vol7no3e.htm

7. What are the other methods of cultivation besides reciting the name of the Buddha?

There are 84,000 methods. Reciting the name of the Buddha is one of them.

Many practitioners of Buddhism feel that it suffices to cultivate by reciting the name of the Buddha and disregard the other methods. Although this is a very good method of cultivation, in the teachings of Buddhism there are many other methods or “Dharma-doors”. Speaking of reciting the name of the Buddha, in general, people recite Amitabha Buddha. Actually, this method is not limited to reciting Amitabha Buddha. We can recite the name of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the ten directions and the three periods (8 directions of the compass, the zenith and nadir; the past, present and future), for example, Sakyamuni Buddha, Manjusri Bodhisattva, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and many others.

If we seek to be reborn in the Western Pure Land, then we need to recite Amitabha Buddha frequently. However, there is no guarantee that a person who only recites Amitabha Buddha will definitely be reborn in the Western Pure Land. It is stated in the Amitabha Sutra, “It is not possible through conditions lacking in virtuous roots, blessings and merits to be born in that land (i.e. Western Pure Land).” This means that besides reciting the name of the Buddha, we must also cultivate our blessings and wisdom, and until the fulfilment of many, many conditions relating to our blessings and merits, is it possible to be reborn in the Western Pure Land. For example, cultivating the 3-steps-1-bow is also a method of cultivating blessings and lessening our sickness, sufferings and misfortunes.

The teachings of Buddhism are not limited to reciting the name of the Buddha. There are 84,000 methods or Dharma-doors through which we can enter, and all of them are equally reliable. The 3-steps-1-bow is one of them.

I No Stupid SG

The Jen Chen article is too long and there are holes. I am curious of this question in the first paragraph "However, do they know the true extent of their goodness?"
A person who does good knows in his heart, there is NO need to know the true extent of his goodness. What is true??

Next, to learn the dhamma, one need not begin by taking Refuge. This requirement was compare to pursuing a study in university and the need for enrolment. One can pursue a study by just simply going ahead to study. Enrolment is merely an administrative requirement. I see where the flaw is.

The attainment of nirvana does not require one to be a Buddhist. Anyone who follows the NEP, strive diligently to rid of defilements and the 'three poisons' is on the way to liberation.

Refuge-taking is an initiation rite just like joining a triad society. One 'officially' becomes a Buddhist and vows to observe the precepts. It is not a guarantee that one will attain nirvana. Thus, I would use the same analogy of the university - enrolment does not guarantee graduation!

2009novice SG

of course... enrolment does not gurantee graduation- that's because you never work hard, breaking precepts all the time!

don't twist and turn your meanings pls.

I No Stupid SG

of course... enrolment does not gurantee graduation- that's because you never work hard, breaking precepts all the time!

don't twist and turn your meanings pls.

you certainly didn't get what I was trying to say. learning the dhamma does not require one to take refuge first! and taking refuge is no guarantee of attaining nirvana. get it now???

2009novice SG

you certainly didn't get what I was trying to say. learning the dhamma does not require one to take refuge first! and taking refuge is no guarantee of attaining nirvana. get it now???

what's your main concern of taking refuge...? it also mean u are humble enough to learn from Buddha... u knw what i mean???

An Eternal Now SG

Someone not taking refuge is like a sick person trying to heal himself without relying on a doctor's medicine and prescription. He will not be able to heal.

If one does not decide to seriously rely on the triple gems, how can one hope to gain enlightenment?

I No Stupid SG

what's your main concern of taking refuge...? it also mean u are humble enough to learn from Buddha... u knw what i mean???

My response was to the article's claim that one must take refuge first before learning the dhamma, not about being humble! I know all these talks about being humble, etc. When you learn the dhamma, you are respecting the Buddha already! No need to go perform rites! Buddha himself was against rites and rituals.

An Eternal Now SG

The rites was of course not the main point. The main point is to take refuge.

I No Stupid SG

Someone not taking refuge is like a sick person trying to heal himself without relying on a doctor's medicine and prescription. He will not be able to heal.

If one does not decide to seriously rely on the triple gems, how can one hope to gain enlightenment?

//Someone not taking refuge is like a sick person trying to heal himself without relying on a doctor's medicine and prescription. He will not be able to heal.

If one does not decide to seriously rely on the triple gems, how can one hope to gain enlightenment?//

Absolute rubbish and delusional. Where in the 4NT was it stated that refuge-taking is a requirement for attaining enlightenment???

An Eternal Now SG

Do you say Dhammapada is rubbish?

4NT already implicitly implies the necessity to take refuge.

Why?

Only the Dharma, the Eight Fold path leads to cessation of suffering.

Therefore it is only by relying on and taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and Sangha that we can end suffering.

There is no other way.

lastime SG

LOL bickering with words again..haiz..you know mr INS you are right in this point enrolment doesnt = graduation. Going to refuge ceremonies is just like a ritual to show others(and convince your self) or a symbol that we were try to make a commitment on this particular teaching,however anyone can meditate,keep as many precept as we want even if we dont take refuges.But with the commitment that we have gone through a refuge ceremony it give one less excuses to start our bad habits again and again, and with practice + resolutions it will make the practice deeper and stronger with time to come.

Its good to make some resolutions initially and then try to stick to it,if we are honest to our selves and others it will keep us in touch with the vows we try to unhold.

Side track abit,just like getting married and registered with the ROM or doing it the old style way just within the family.The former if you break your marriage vows you are answerable to the law and your wife-y and the family,the latter just your wife-y and family.If both sides are truly faithful and commited how they are married of course it doesnt matter at all becos the ending is the same.

In reality this is common not the case with ups and does(things like 7 years itch adultery etc etc) with all this commitment in place dont you think the married couple in the modern ceremony will seriously consider more than the latter if anyone of them try to be funny?

I No Stupid SG

Do you say Dhammapada is rubbish?

4NT already implicitly implies the necessity to take refuge.

Why?

Only the Dharma, the Eight Fold path leads to cessation of suffering.

Therefore it is only by relying on and taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and Sangha that we can end suffering.

There is no other way.

Can you say the Dhammapada cannot contain rubbish? Who wrote the Dhammapada?

The 4NT did not mention taking refuge - as in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. This is your own 'implication'. The Buddha explicitly said the the dharma only - check what he said upon his parinirvana.

You are absolutley wrong - there is one way only - the 4th NT.

An Eternal Now SG

lastime said it well. I rest my case.