What
is Taking Refuge?
Taking Refuge means to return and rely. From where do we
return from and to what do we rely upon? When we take refuge in the Buddha, we
are returning from our deluded state of mind and relying upon an Awakened, Understanding
mind. When we take refuge in the Dharma, we are returning from deviant views and
relying upon proper views and understanding. When we take refuge in the Sangha,
we are returning from pollution and disharmony and relying upon Purity of Mind
and the Six Principles of Living in Harmony. Taking refuge in the Triple Jewels
restores the complete wisdom and abilities of our Self-Nature. We will attain
Purity, Equality, Honesty, Contentment, Compassion, and overall, True Happiness.
Centhe
Buddha Jewel
"Buddha" is a sanskrit word which means 'Awareness
and Understanding'. When we take refuge in the Buddha, we vow to return from blind
faith and delusion and rely upon Understanding and Awareness as a way of life.
We are not relying upon the statues or Buddha-images, but rather the spirit of
Understanding and Awareness they represent.
As students of the Pure Land
Teachings, we learn to rely upon Amitabha Buddha's lessons on wisdom and compassion.
'Amitabha' stands for Infinite Light and Infinite Life. When we follow his teachings,
we will attain wisdom, happiness, and longevity.
This is taking refuge in
the Buddha.
The
Dharma Jewel
"Dharma" means 'Right Understanding and Views.' Delusion
has obstructed us from seeing the true face of people and the reality behind matters
and objects. This has caused us to look at life and the universe in a distorted
and deviant way. When delusion is cleared and our minds are pure to an extent,
we give rise to wisdom. With wisdom, we are able to see all people and matters
completely and clearly. When our hearts are pure, we can see the past, present,
and future. Only when we have clearly seen the Whole can our viewpoint and Understanding
be considered 'Right'.
The Buddha's mind is pure without the slightest pollution
and therefore sees everything clearly and entirely. We can rely upon the Sutras
(recorded teachings of the Buddha) because they speak entirely of the truths the
Buddha has seen. They teach and show us the way to attain Purity of Mind, to see
life and the universe most clearly, and become just like the Buddhas.
As
students of the Pure Land Teachings, we should rely upon the Six Sutras of Pure
Land as guidelines of practice:
1. The Sutra of Amitabha's Purity, Equality,
and Understanding.
2. The Amitabha Sutra
3. The Sutra on Observing Amitabha
Buddha and His Pure Land
4. The Chapter of Universal Worthy Bodhisattva's
Conduct and Vows
5. The Chapter on the Foremost Attainment of Great Strength
Bodhisattva Through Buddha Recitation
6. Vasubandhu Bodhisattva's Report
on the Way to Reaching Pure Land
This is taking refuge in the Dharma.
The
Sangha Jewel
"Sangha" means 'purity and harmony'. Today's world
is full of pollution. Pollution of mind, spirit, views, and body. Even the earth
and atmosphere are hazardly polluted. The Buddha taught, "The environment
changes according to our state of mind." We should return from all these
pollutions and rely upon purity of mind. Purity of Mind is the key to saving our
Earth.
There is also great disharmony in our world today, among spouses,
families, friends, societies, and countries which has brought us much suffering
and disasters. The Buddha taught us to rely upon the Six Principles of Living
in Harmony to establish harmonious relationships between ourselves and others.
As students of the Pure Land Teachings, we should rely upon the choice of
wisdom and compassion as our way of treating others and dealing with affairs.
Great Strength Bodhisattva represents wisdom. His choice of the Buddha Recitation
method of practice is wisdom in its highest form. Kuan Yin Bodhisattva represents
compassion; when we help introduce the Pure Land Teachings to others, we are practicing
the complete compassion of Kuan Yin Bodhisattva.
This is taking refuge in
the Sangha.
To
the Buddha I return and rely,returning from delusions and relying upon Awareness
and Understanding.
To the Dharma I return and rely,returning from erroneous
views and relying upon Proper Views and Understanding.
To the Sangha I return
and rely, returning from pollutions and disharmony and relying upon Purity of
Mind and the Six Principles of Living in Harmony.