The act of taking refuge is the first step that sets us on the Buddhist path.
To formally become a Buddhist, a practitioner “takes refuge” in the
three jewels: the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha. We pledge to find
home in the Buddha’s example, in his teachings, and in the community of
fellow spiritual practitioners as we move along the spiritual path.
Taking refuge in the three jewels provides a basic sense of safety and
belonging that becomes the foundation of all of our spiritual work.
Whenever challenges arise, this is the place that we return to.
While taking refuge is a formal process and a religious ritual, it’s
also a deeply personal act. The act of taking refuge can change us on
the deepest level, with the potential to completely alter the way we
engage with the world. Beyond words or formalities, the act of taking
refuge reminds us that there is a home that we can always return to—no
matter how turbulent or uncertain our lives become.
What does refuge look like in our lives? Perhaps the best way to
discover the true meaning of refuge is to hear from Buddhist
practitioners on how taking refuge has impacted them.
In this week’s Three Teachings, Buddhist teachers and practitioners reflect on what refuge means to them.
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