Refuge in the Buddha

[Will001]

Hi everyone,

I've started to really investigate what the refuges mean. What are they in our daily lives, in our ordinary mind?

What does the first refuge mean to you? How does it play out in your life?

[Nengei]

Will, what a beautiful question you have asked. Thank you.

For me, taking refuge in the Buddha is making a choice for hope. I accept that taking the Buddhist path can bring an end to suffering, that the thing we call samadhi is something we can attain. But maybe more importantly, that this path we are on can bring about tikkun olam, a Hebrew term meaning the repair of the world. Maybe that's not so Buddhist, but for me, taking refuge in the Buddha, and the Jewish concept of healing the world mean aligning myself with hope. With all the wrong in the world, I choose, through taking refuge, to believe that there is great good. With all the terrible things people do, people have the capacity to do wonderful things. With all the illness, there is great capacity to heal. We can choose to hold each other closely and to build community, while simultaneously reaching to put aside our attachments and find liberation from suffering.

Gassho,
Nengei
Sat today. LAH.

[Shonin Risa Bear]

Clear question, strong and helpful answer.

gassho
ds sat

[Will001]

Thank you Nengei, this seems to be a shared perspective from other folks I've spoken with.

Gassho,
W
Sat

[Kokuu]

For me, taking refuge in the Buddha is making a choice for hope. I accept that taking the Buddhist path can bring an end to suffering, that the thing we call samadhi is something we can attain. But maybe more importantly, that this path we are on can bring about tikkun olam, a Hebrew term meaning the repair of the world. Maybe that's not so Buddhist, but for me, taking refuge in the Buddha, and the Jewish concept of healing the world mean aligning myself with hope. With all the wrong in the world, I choose, through taking refuge, to believe that there is great good. With all the terrible things people do, people have the capacity to do wonderful things. With all the illness, there is great capacity to heal. We can choose to hold each other closely and to build community, while simultaneously reaching to put aside our attachments and find liberation from suffering.

[Jundo]

Hi Again, Will,

We actually discuss this each year as part of our annual Jukai (Undertaking the Precepts) preparations, which includes a vow of refuge in Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. You can see the most recent reflections here ...

PRECEPTS I - JUKAI and THE THREE REFUGES

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?20721-PRECEPTS-I-JUKAI-and-THE-THREE-REFUGES

I will say this for my own heart: Taking refuge in the Buddha is taking refuge in something that is always here, never needs to be taken refuge in although we cannot always see and feel so. It is like looking for the air in that way, just present. It is so present and whole, that it is the ultimate refuge, like a shelter or net which is always here, seen or unseen.

However, if we do not fan the air, if we do not live gently by the Precepts, the Buddha is not visible and manifest. Our acting gently, with Wisdom, makes the refuge appear.

To take "Refuge in the Buddha" is also to take refuge in the Teachings (Dharma) passed down to us from Buddhas of the Past, such as the fellow in India, and in the community (Sangha.)

Gassho, J

stlah

PS - Will, would you do me a favor? Would you add a human face photo to your postings and remember to sign your first name (which is "Will," I am guessing )?

Also, would you remember to sign "SatToday" or the like before posting? It encourages others, and helps keep us centered on sitting. Thank you.

SatToday - Make sure you have SAT before joining in forum CHAT!

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?12995-SatToday-Make-sure-you-have-SAT-before-joining-in-forum-CHAT%21

[Seiko]

Will, what a beautiful question you have asked. Thank you.

For me, taking refuge in the Buddha is making a choice for hope. I accept that taking the Buddhist path can bring an end to suffering, that the thing we call samadhi is something we can attain. But maybe more importantly, that this path we are on can bring about tikkun olam, a Hebrew term meaning the repair of the world. Maybe that's not so Buddhist, but for me, taking refuge in the Buddha, and the Jewish concept of healing the world mean aligning myself with hope. With all the wrong in the world, I choose, through taking refuge, to believe that there is great good. With all the terrible things people do, people have the capacity to do wonderful things. With all the illness, there is great capacity to heal. We can choose to hold each other closely and to build community, while simultaneously reaching to put aside our attachments and find liberation from suffering.

Gassho,
Nengei
Sat today. LAH.

Thank you.

Gasshō
Seiko
stlah

[Risho]

Nengei that was awesome

I love this discussion during precept study that Jundo Roshi referenced. In one of those readings, it may be Josho Pat Phelan I cannot remember, the question is posed what do you take refuge in? I know I can easily and do take refuge in my ego, in feeding anger, in quick dopamine hits.

Gassho

Risho
-stlah

[Ankai]

I see refuge as finding shelter.
We find refuge in the Buddha, whose awakening means it's possible for all of us.
Refuge in the Sangha is the shelter and security of being in the company of like-minded fellow travellers on the path.
Refuge in the Dharma is the shelter and comfort of following a path and map left by those who have traveled ahead of us and arrived safely.

That's what it means to me, anyway.

Sat today.
📿🙏🪷🙏📿
- Karl