Question about taking the triple jewel vow

ordinarybeing

If you said it mentally instead of allowed with the same sincerity, would it still count?

Bunks

I can't see why not?

Personally, I don't see the point in taking the vow at all but that's just where I'm at with my practice at present....kinda dropping the baggage and seeing what happens.

Good luck!

Jason

ordinarybeing said:

If you said it mentally instead of allowed with the same sincerity, would it still count?

Yes. Taking refuge basically means taking the Buddha, his teachings (Dhamma), and those who have 'practiced well' (Sangha) as guides, and making an internal commitment to put the teachings themselves into practice. In fact, according to Bhikkhu Bodhi, "Strictly speaking, as soon as there arises in his mind an act of consciousness which takes the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha as his guiding ideal, that person has gone for refuge to the Triple Gem and become a Buddhist lay disciple (upasaka)" (Going for Refuge & Taking the Precepts).

vinlyn

ordinarybeing said:

If you said it mentally instead of allowed with the same sincerity, would it still count?

I think you're seeing it as a ceremony, which it can be. But, as a Theravadan monk once said to me when I asked about such a ceremony -- "If you think like a Buddhist and act like a Buddhist, then you are a Buddhist."

ordinarybeing

ok then, there is an easy way to solve this. Sorry if this is out of context but...."Zen, Just do it." so,... Here goes nothing and something. I take refuge in the buddha, the one who brought us the Darhma. I take refuge in the sangha, all those who follow the Darhma of the Buddha, including all boddhisattvas and ordinary beings. I take refuge in the Darhma, the teachings of the Buddha who are brought to us to teach us how to end the suffering of ourselves and all beings.

Invincible_summer

If it helps you understand it any better, I take refuge on a regular basis. It's not really anything special and I don't make a huge deal out of it, but it does help me re-affirm my faith in the Dhamma. Your mileage may vary.

karasti

I did it with my teacher, but that was just my preference. I recite the refuge vow frequently. It helps me a lot when I lose my focus in meditation. Or my non-focus, as the case may be, lol. I also remind myself of it when I am struggling with something. It brings me peace. Congrats on taking your vows. Enjoy the ride

how

I take them when I seem rattled, when something stirs my spirit and strangely enough just before I lose consciousness in sleep.

chela

We take refuge every Sunday at my Dharma Center. We chant it in Pali upon the first sitting meditation. I enjoy it every week. I think saying it out loud isn't necessary at all, but yet it seems to strengthen my resolve. I suppose it creates a stronger attachment to Buddhism, and since I know I have all these other attachments I'm working with, I may as well have an attachment to help relieve my attachments. :buck: