Taking Refuge in Buddha
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Dear Karma Tsetchi,
From the side of the Buddhas there is no lineage, name, or tradition. These are from us. Hence whatever tradition you have taken refuge in, then as long as you are taking a Buddha for your meditations there is no conflict. Tsongkhapa is not a Gelugpa Buddha but a Buddha full stop.
Good luck to you,
Tsem Rinpoche
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In the Buddhist tradition, the purpose of taking refuge is to awaken from confusion and associate oneself with wakefulness. The first step in practicing Buddhism is taking refuge in the Three Jewels. Taking refuge means relying on these Three Jewels so that they become the main focus of our lives. Once we have taken refuge in the Three Jewels, we should not take refuge in any other religion nor blend Buddhism and other religions. Taking refuge is a matter of commitment and acceptance and, at the same time, of openness and freedom. By taking the refuge vow we commit ourselves to freedom and to give up our attachment to basic security. Go all the way nor matter what happened along the way to achieve our ultimate goal in our spiritual path. Thank you Rinpoche for this sharing.
Human tends to label this and that. The truth is as long as we inspire to be Buddha and work toward this goal..this will be the real practice.
A short, simple and sincere advise from Rinpoche. These simple words are effective in conveying deep meanings. Duality exists on our side, not on the Buddha’s side. We discriminate, judge, categorize and label. I don’t necessarily consider these actions as good or bad anymore, just the way of our habituation. It is almost crucial for us to quantify and shrink everything to fit our level of awareness, because the vastness of the universe is incomprehensible. We will be lost without the boundaries we set. Or will we? Without quantification, will we be liberated? I don’t know. But for now, a Buddha is a Buddha not matter in what form, what religion, what lineage or tradition.
Saw this post by you in a widget on the right hand side of your blog. “tsemtulku: I am so glad you visit my blog and read my posts. It gives me great pleasure to know that. I like to share a lot. But do leave a comment or a hello on whatever post you have read so I know you have visited. I would love that. Thanks!!” So, Hello! Casteven Lim (KH JB) posted the link to this short article in the blog-chat a day ago which is how I got to this article. As a student of Nyingma School, I have had this same thought before. That I am somehow in the wrong for reciting Migtsema instead of accumulating more 7 Line Supplication to Guru Padmasambhava or Vajra Guru Mantra. You’ve said this statement before in one of your videos which is where I learned that my worries about reciting Migtsema is just wrong view (Tsongkhapa Daily Practice Video Commentary shot on the beach if I am remembering correctly).
Today found out that this post is in response to Karma Tsetchi’s comment left under this blog-post: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/inspiration-worthy-words/something-easy-to-do-daily-yet-powerful.html …lol. Also in the comments section of that blog-post is a comment by Beng Kooi with 9-line Migtsema Mantra then another comment by You giving english translation of 9-Line Migtsema Mantra. i’m going to try out reciting the 9-Line Migtsema. Thanks!
When we find a lineage that we can relate to best, we should stick to it. This is because when we take Refuge in Buddha, we are taking Refuge to all Buddhas no matter what lineage, what religion.
It is a way to show our faith and have an outlet for us to rely on based on our religion. Through the religion it gives us faith and courage to move on in life when we are lost.
I think when we take refuge in Buddha, we are actually taking refuge in the universal truth. We are taking refuge in karma, the law of cause and effect, and ultimately we are taking refuge in ourselves as we are the only person who can be responsible for ourselves.
So there will be no difference between different Buddhas and Deities, as when we take refuge in them, the ultimate purpose is actually the same.
In this article http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/great-lamas-masters/various-aspects-of-tantra-by-his-holiness-kyabje-trijang-rinpoche.html towards the end of it, H.H. Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche emphasized there is no difference between any shools or lineage, their objectives are all the same, to lead practitioner to enlightenment.
There is more than one way in taking Refuge in a Buddha. One way is you take Refuge before a Buddha Statue and think that the statue represents all the qualities of the Buddha. And in your mind you want to be a Buddhist and want to take the vows of a buddhist and think of the Buddha’s qualities and vow you will try to practice it to gain enlightenment. The commonest way for people to take Refuge is in a human Guru who all Buddhist will percieve as a Buddha. It is easier to take Refuge with a Guru as a Guru will be able to guide and teach you should you go wrong in your practice. People will feel more confident and safe with a Guru representing the Buddha. Taking Refuge is taking refuge in the qualities of thr Buddha’s body, speech and mind.
It is said that for those new to the Dharma, to formally take refuge in the three Jewels, The Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, is to acknowledge that one is a buddhist,and willing to accept the ways of the holy dharma and its holders, the Sangha. Taking refuge in the Buddha,is, like what our guru said, taking refuge in an “Enlightened Being” for our meditation. Taking refuge in the Dharma, is taking refuge in the truth that the Buddha expounded to bring about the cessation of sufferings. And refuge in the Sangha is equivalent to taking refuge in a community of individuals who come together to practise the Dharma, and who know what to accept or reject in order to go forward onto the path to achieve enlightement. Hence, when we seek refuge, we accept the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha as means to eradicate all sufferings, other mental disturbances and ultimately to adchieve a good rebirth to escape the sufferings of the 3 lower realms.
When we say we take refuge in Buddha does not mean we only go infront of a Buddha statue or a monk and say three times refuge prayer and we will be blessed without having to do anything. When you take Refuge in Buddha, it is like you are accepted in a family and they are part of you and the members are responsible for taking care of you. And you must also abide by the discipline an d benefits the family can give you. Similarly Buddha has a lot of teachings and qualities he can give us. And if we follow. We can be assured that Buddha will be there to protect and guide us like a father or mother would protect their child. A full fledge B uddhist is one who has taken Refuge in Budhha.
Thank you Rinpoche.
It’s warming my heart to read this 🙂
Where can I find the practice of Lord Tsongkapa?
I wish you all the best !