Refuge vows/ceremony question

karasti

Hi everyone

I have been studying Buddhism for several months, but only more recently found a teacher. I live in the sticks about 350 miles from the closest Buddhist center. My teacher is out of the country until late fall, which is why I am asking here.

My teacher is a Tibetan-Nyingma teacher. He is not a Lama. Does a person performing a Refuge ceremony need to have a certain title? What might I expect to have happen during a vow ceremony? We have a smallish local Sangha that meets in my hometown, but our leader operates under the direction of our spiritual teacher, Khenpo Sherab Sangpo. I would really like to take Refuge Vows in person with an actual teacher (as opposed to on my own). I have looked online and found a very large variety of vow ceremonies, and many of them do not state the tradition. I am most curious about gift offerings, as I would want to make sure to offer something proper. Who all is to receive a gift offering? Can I offer a gift to the Sangha as a whole or should it be to the teacher specifically who performs the ceremony?

Of course, I will speak to my teacher about this, but he will not return until late October and he will be visiting our local Sangha in November.

Thanks for any direction you may provide.

Many blessings.

vinlyn

You don't have to have a formal ceremony to take refuge.

federica

Taking Refuge with whistles, bells, chanting, music incense and all the associated clutter is all well and good, but actually is no more meaningful, significant worthy or legitimate than doing it for yourself, at home in any way that you feel is significant for you.

there may well be some traditions that say this is not correct, or there may be others who devalue that "DIY" process...but if Taking Refuge were only legitimate or possible through a specific, 'official' public ceremony, then every Tradition would have one.

but they haven't.
and opinions differ.....

Some people choose a Day of Importance on the Buddhist Calendar to Take Refuge.
I did such a thing during Vesak celebrations in 2008.
but to be honest, the small, intimate, private personal ceremony I had held for myself a few years earlier, (A whoopin' tootin' party for one - woo~hoo! :rolleyes: ) was actually far more meaningful and significant.
and you can make it as ornate, or as simple as you want - but it counts, and it's for you.

karasti

I know you can do it yourself. However, I've found in past experiences that such things, for me, are better done with support and in this case that would be with my teacher and/or my Sangha present. I am honestly not as good as I'd like to be at upholding promises made only to myself. When I know I have told others of my intentions I am better at upholding these types of things. I realize of course that the precepts and refuge vows are not promises in that way, but I don't know how else to explain it. I just personally would prefer to do it with my teacher and Sangha, and my teacher tends to be very traditional so I was hoping to know what I might expect in a very general sense. I have a lot of social anxiety over things I have not experienced before, which is why I ask. Even going to a new restaurant is stressful for me when I don't know what "protocol" is and knowing even a little of what to expect eases that burden for me.

Songhill

karasti

My teacher is a Tibetan-Nyingma teacher. He is not a Lama. Does a person performing a Refuge ceremony need to have a certain title?

I have attended such a cermony with Gyatrul Rinpoche. You need to find a Nyingmapa Lama. It is not a long ceremony, and no big deal, but I think you will find it rewarding. See if Gyatrul is still around (I love the old dude )

Jeffrey

Theres a chapter about taking the refuge by yourself in the Jewel Ornament of Liberation, which is a Kagyu text. The JOoL is by Gampopa.