Buddhist Faith?
lobster
Crusty Veteran
I take refuge in the Buddha.
I take refuge in the Dharma.
I take refuge in the Sangha.
Special bonus prize for Tantric Buddhists:
I take refuge in the Lama/Guru
That is a declaration of confidence/faith in the Middle Way. It is our resonance and alignment. Without that basis we are just another spiritual dilettante. It gives us the confidence to question everything, not a requirement of course. Do we know what is useful and expose bad gnus, wannabe Buddhas, rubbish dharma and soppy sanghas, if we are earnest? Perhaps ...
The three jewels an ideal that we bow to, respect and know deserves our devoted attention.
Here is a Chinese version of formal bowing designed for 88 Buddha practice, whatever that is ...
I take refuge in the Buddha.
I take refuge in the Dharma.
I take refuge in the Sangha.
Comments
@lobster. I have done the 88 Buddha Repentance Ceremony. As the sole western person I was given a welcome that was astounding. By people who were truly examples of loving kindness.
Good news @grackle
Look like Pureland practitioners?
As far as I am concerned a practice like this is very grounding. Powerful physical exercise. If we do 88 or rounds of 108 or even as a means of pilgrimage, weight reduction and we might begin to understand refuge ...
Thanks guys
Here is some bowing to 88 [count them] Buddhas. Perfect.
Have floor, can bow.