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Going for formal Refuge
Hi fellow Sangha members and old friends from BWB,
On the 18th of this month I will be going to Garchen institude and monistary to take Formal Refuge. Rimpoche will be cutting hair from the crown of our head. I am not sure what I should do and what is the protachol in thanking him? I am also on a work study program so I can attend the retreat. Lord Buddha has blessed me.
Thanks to everyone who has encouraged and helped me.
With Much Metta
Gail
On the 18th of this month I will be going to Garchen institude and monistary to take Formal Refuge. Rimpoche will be cutting hair from the crown of our head. I am not sure what I should do and what is the protachol in thanking him? I am also on a work study program so I can attend the retreat. Lord Buddha has blessed me.
Thanks to everyone who has encouraged and helped me.
With Much Metta
Gail
0
Comments
Only a tiny amount of hair will be cut. It's usual to give a kata (white offering scarf) and a small gift to the teacher who gives Refuge in a Tibetan Buddhist Refuge ceremony.
More about Refuge here:
http://www.khandro.net/Buddhist_becoming.htm
and here:
http://www.kagyu.org/kagyulineage/buddhism/bec/bec00.php
You should contact the centre to get more details about the ceremony and what to do.
Kind wishes,
Dazzle
I am very excited. The sites you posted really helped.
Metta,
Gail
Thanks you brought a smile to my face. As the days pass I become more excited and want to shout for joy.
Blessings to all,
Gail
Wishing you every happiness
Susie
x
Wonderful news, thanks for sharing it with us .... so pleased that the conditions are favourable for you.
Taking refuge was a significant beginning and remains a powerful reminder for me.
Would encourage you to do as Dazzle has suggested and to contact the centre
Warmest wishes
I am starting to feel things that I can't describe. Sort of becoming a new and different being with a different outlook and goals. I appreciate you all so much!!
Metta
Gail
Its Beautiful. Congratulations,:)
only remember while you're shouting for joy that millions of children are dying of hunger...:mad:
people like me are being selfish, confused and useless.:mad:
other people are murdering and raping people..:mad:
I hope instead of being giddy and happy, u accept this new responsibility as serious! you are taking REFUGE from this!!!
never forget sadness and the people like me, still left outside in the STORM... be honest and open minded please ....and I will bow down before you .
good luck my friend..:rolleyes:
Edit - sorry, was kind of shocked by that response. Do you know what taking Refuge actually means, TheFound? o_o
LOL forgive me though if I am confusing it with something else..
(dont hesitate to say, Thefound , you are dumb and don't know what you are talking about)..
I imagine she's at a point in her practice where she understands what Refuge and vows entail and what her responsibilities will be. You view it as sad because of attachment to ego. This is a selfless commitment, and it shows what her practice has achieved, and we should be happy for her and not try to take away from it.
Thank you for shareing that beautiful experience. Just to read it gave me chills. We are all blessed to have found this way of life.
With Metta,
Gail
I felt compelled to respond to what you wrote. You are correct these things happen every day. That is the very reason we take Refuge and the Bodhisattva Vow. It is the reason we study Dharma. I realize this is not an easy road to walk but there is no choice.
I don't often share but I was one of those who were raped and abused. I have learned to love my enemy and forgive. If I could I would embrace you and tell you that all things are a learning experience and in learning the lessions we grow, aquire wisdon and the ability to love all sentient beings no mater what. So Dearest 'The Found', I send love to you and I sincerely thank you for shareing your thoughts.
With Blessings and Much Metta,
Gail
Hi Brigid,
Thank you for pointing put my error in writing. When HH Dalai Lama came to Long Beach Ca. I attended his teaching. He gave two initiations "The Medicine Buddha" and "The Amitabha Buddha". We were also offered "Five Precepts and the Bodhisattva Vow. However before we recieved the initiations or took the precepts and the Bodhisattva Vow we were given Refuge in the Three Jewels. So you are correct They are different.
As I am relatively new to Buddhism I do not have the vocabulary to properly discuss things as I would like. My frame of reference is my Native American Path that I have walked for over 37 years. In that path we also take vows much the same as the Bodhisattva Vow.
I have found in Buddhism an understanding of many of my experiences in life in general and my spiritual path in particular. I appreciate constructive criticism and am willing to listen and correct any mistakes I may make. I hope I have explained this correctly.
Blessings and Metta
Gail
This fiction is saddening, because it is a very popular thing to be a boddhisattva. They are seen somehow in a special light that hinders the awakening of other beings rather than helping them. It perpetuates the myth that enlightenment is a long and difficult thing, which people have to strive for and do prostrations and generate good karma and cultivate virtue in order to attain.
This, as in all things, is your choice to make. You may take the vows if you choose. But do not make the mistake of thinking even for a second that your choice will affect anyone else in such a way as to lead them to enlightenment.
Do not feel sad for me but rejoice. I am not taking on the karma of others but vowing to help sentient beings until all reach enlightenment. There is no choice.
As stated in a previous post I am somewhat new to Buddhism but have walked a Traditional Native American Spiritual road. The vows and precepts on that path are much the same though worded different. So this is not new but a continuation of what I believe.
It is only through prayer, non violence and the desire to share can we change the world. If I were younger, in better health and without obligations I would enter a monistary.
Your writing is greatly appreciated. We each have our own road to walk and yours is different then mine but we both want the same things. It is much like a great wheel with spokes or roads. Each lead to the center which is enlightinment. Each road represents a different teaching but all lead to the same thing. I hope I have explained my feelings.
With Blessings and Much Metta
Gail
In no way were you rude. I believe you were asking if the Bodhisattva Vow were part of Refuge. It was a point which needed clarification. Thank you for that.
Namaste and Much Metta
Gail
With Metta
Gail
Metta,
Gail
You are quite right; I have a small book where I can take Refuge daily and reafirm the Bodhisattva vow. Included are prayers to purify any negative acts committed.
The book is titled: Daily Purification, A Short Vajrasattva Practice. The Book is published by " the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archives" www.LamaYeshe.com. Most of the books at this site are free.
Blessings and Metta,
Gail
Are you sure you've got this 100% right, TOT?
I have experienced a lot of saving grace rubbing off on me from the works of others in my lifetime. Also I have been fortunate to have had a guru who has taken a lot my troubles upon him and has lightened my burden immensely. I am much the richer for that!
Whether its nature is one of transferability or just influence, no act of kindness is ever wasted. An educated good will and a hand extended in blessing are sources from which forgiveness and liberation spring, and those who are laborers in this vineyard are Saviors and Beacons of light. Many of us are babes in the woods —mere children, who need guidance, protection, and prayers.
As for me, I don't much care for all this metaphysical interpretation of "karma." It can be just another concept-trap for bewitching people into superstitions. Karma is derived from the Sanskrit "Kri," to do, and basically just connotes action and work. I believe in KISS, keeping it simple, stupid (or sweetheart)!
In those simple terms (work, action), I believe that karma can be and is carried with you. Along the way more can be taken on and lots of the bad stuff can be shed, also, if we are skillful or have good guides.
Now, whether karma is basically just character tendencies —desirable or undesirable— we all basically know that what we set in orbit around us due to our behavior tends to surround us in ripple-effects long after we've completed particular actions. So a boddhisattva comes, distracts us and points out a better way to go and we follow. Will not there come a day when our former ripples are so faint as no longer to have any impressionability (power) over us anymore? Does that bodhisattva not have to suffer any consequence from the families the new man or woman has left behind to seek a new path —or something along those lines?
Thundreams, I think you let TOT off the hook too easily.
I believe the above quote to be categorically unprovable and an indefensible statement.
May you always be well and do well!