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What Does "Taking Refuge" Mean To You ?
Shoshin
No one in particularNowhere Special Veteran
"I go for/take refuge to/in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha !"
In a nutshell sense, (that is, with all the mumbo jumbo religious ceremonial trappings removed) I just see it as a commitment to become more aware of what 'is'....( so I guess that could be seen as an 'awakened' mind ie, taking refuge in an 'awakened' mind )
Many moons ago (when I first set foot on the path) at times I would think "Oh bugger this!..I'm going back to sleep"
What Does "Taking Refuge" Mean To You ?
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For me it simply means that I'm examining this person known as the Buddha, and his teachings. Part of this examination is spent here, as I have no 'real-world' sangha, and haven't spent too much time on other on-line groups.
That's it. No great insight coming from me on this one.
From what "I" gather....@Walker when you are examining the "Buddha" you are also examining your potential [non] 'self'....
Looking for happiness and meaning via the teachings of Buddhism rather than looking for them in outer things.
For me, taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha is like taking shelter from the storm of suffering.
Where I go to recharge, heal and strengthen so I can endure and be of help.
When I take refuge, I am reaffirming to myself that I will refocus on being mindful and try to be the best "me" I can be.
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I do not give importance to rituals nor I believe in any monk unless he is enough trained himself in dhamma.
For me the text of Buddhism and grasping it to apply in real life is essential. Eightfold path is great to start with. I want to read more about Buddhism to know more about how to behave but I always found myself not looking in basics I.e eightfold path and answer lies there. Talks of many elder and knowledgable monks is also my source of knowledge. For me following path is more essential to be true follower than just to born in some family adhering to particular religion.
This is I called refugy where our mind knows truth to follow and knowing source of true information and inspecting it on our own.
Well I am a heretic (just a hobby)
So the Buddha covers any awake person
The Dharma is any law or lore based on Truth
... and the Sangha is any path workers heading towards awakening.
Do I take 'shelter' (refuge) in such arisings. Yes.
I suppose I am aligning with the way out of the matrix, rather than its programming ...
I think of it as saying "I have trust in"
That's how I think of it. Finding the eye of the storm, so to speak.
It is a grounding thing for me. I do it every morning when I meditate. I know some who do it constantly but it seems to be back when I was a kid and said the Lord's Prayer because I was told to and not because I was sincere about it.
I actually take a minute to envision each part. When I take refuge in the Buddha, I envision him sitting before me and recognize what he did and why and remember that is why I follow this path. I envision Dharma (in the forms of books or Buddha teaching, or whatever) and remind myself of my commitment to practice. And the Sangha, both my smaller local and larger regional sanghas, and the worldwide sangha, as my companions side by side.
It is a reminder every day of why I chose this path and my commitment to it and my practice of it.
After reading, study, and practicing for quite some time I pin point it as devoting yourself to know the true nature of life, of suffering, in order to help others out of it. Taking refuge to me is helping people from suffering. Its hard. Did twice in a row and its heavy on the body. Taking refuge is thanking The Buddha, reassessing and practicing the Dharma, and hopefully have a Sangha for support. Vows give the ump. But they arent whst actually moves the ball. Just reminds you that the ball doesnt stop.
I like the idea of putting ones' trust in the teaching it reminds me of 'this'
The Buddha = sanctuary
The Dharma = wisdom
The sangha = companionship, friends, support
I place my trust in all 3, and it grows stronger as I learn and practice the path. I have wobbles, questions, doubts and confusion, but slowly finding my way, no physical sangha where I live at the moment, but the essence of the Refuge is always with me.
Good points guys,
I feel the trust/confidence/refuge does grow based on ones experience.
The very nature of the three jewels turn from the outward to the inner.
The Buddha becomes an understanding of the emptying, our Inner Being.
The Dharma, the resonance with qualities such as compasssion, wisdom, stillness.
The Sangha, our arisings perhaps in outer form but increasingly our inner communion/contemplation/beings.
Practicing Buddhism has allowed me to relax into life and enjoy it, even when "horrible things" happen.
The practices have made life fascinating, vital, rich and full .... in such a way that it does not matter what is or isn't happening in my life or with my aging body.
As I move in the world, Buddhism is my eyes, ears, feet, heart and mind. My refuge. The harbor where the winds are calm and the waters placid even when a storm is raging outside.
15 years of practicing, with the guidance of a Tibetan geshe living and teaching in my city.
I love this question. I think of refuge as a "safe place." Somewhere to be especially when feeling vulnerable or weak (or at any time). I have tons of places of refuge to suite the particular feeling I'm having. Sometimes the refuge is music, nature, family, friends, or alone time in my own inner dreams. I think it's important for everyone to find their refuge...we all need that safe place.
@inyo, I think the OP means taking Refuge specifically in the Triple Gem....
oh right! hehehe oops. It's way past my bed time. Hmm I'll be pondering this.
Coincidentally, I was thinking about these three terms the other day when I suddenly felt the impulse to prostrate after meditation. But I also felt the necessity to define to myself what I was prostrating to.
What I came up with is Buddha=everything; Dharma=truth, truthfulness, however small or large; Sangha=friends (not just personal ones).
I'm CONSTANTLY taking refuge this week and remembering that even though work is stressful and particularly demanding with rude people, this is not permanent and will pass. It's how I deal with it that affects me.