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Taking Refuge
There is only one Buddhist Association in my city. It's a house run my Buddhists nuns. I've emailed them because I'm unsure of the etiquette and wanted to know when someone could visit. Other than that, I would have to go out of town to find a monastery or temple.
Please excuse my ignorance, but does it matter where I go to take refuge formally? I've read some other threads on here, but couldn't find the answer to my question.
Informally, I have taken refuge in the Three Jewels and I could even make a ceremony of it, I suppose. But I'd like to do it by way of an ordained monk. I've never been to a temple of any sorts...so I'm feeling a little lost here.
Please excuse my ignorance, but does it matter where I go to take refuge formally? I've read some other threads on here, but couldn't find the answer to my question.
Informally, I have taken refuge in the Three Jewels and I could even make a ceremony of it, I suppose. But I'd like to do it by way of an ordained monk. I've never been to a temple of any sorts...so I'm feeling a little lost here.
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Comments
Why do you want to take refuge with an ordained monk? Are these nuns not ordained, or haven't they at least taken some sort of vows?
I myself am a 59-year-old man and have taken refuge vows with one of the highest lamas in the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, but if I had a chance to do it again with Buddhist nuns I'd jump at the chance. It's difficult to do refuge vows too much. Because of my health, I have to lie down for specific periods during the day, and I recite the refuge vows every time I lie down because I do mantra and visualizations when I lie down (before I fall asleep).
I'm curious about why you want to take refuge with an ordained monk instead of these nuns.
Along @sherabdorje's line of thinking, perhaps you could take refuge among the nuns, if and when they offer it, and then take it again at some later time with someone else as well.
In the Zen center I once attended, students practiced for a while and only after that was there a formal ceremony.
I haven't had a reply from the email yet...that is all. I have no idea how any of this works (can you tell? lol) But if, once I hear back from them, they'll help me with this next step then I'll happily and graciously accept. Nuns, monks..all ordained. I have no preference.
Perhaps it's just impatience on my part and I'm already trying to plan what else I should do because I haven't had a reply. Obviously, patience isn't my forte.