"The incomparable and profoundly exquisite Dharma!
It is rare that it can be met with, even in hundreds of thousands of millions of ages!
We are now permitted to see it!
We are now permitted to hear it!
We are now permitted to accept it!
We are now permitted to hold it!
May we truly understand the meaning of these words of the Tathagata!"
The above verse is called the "Gatha for opening Sutras (Written Teachings)" and it is quite appropriate that your first steps in formally becoming a Buddhist begin with this thought. In these few pages you will receive the basic instruction required to formally and fully begin the practice of the Middle Way. Since this will provide the foundation upon which you hope to grow, it is very important that these first steps be clearly understood and accomplished.
To make your progress easier, these Internet pages have been carefully prepared by the Sangha of the Dragon Flower Ch'an Temples and are thus presented to you now in the sincere hope that you will not falter on the journey.
The earliest method of formally becoming a Buddhist was to ask the Buddha Gautama (Shakyamuni) for admission to the Order. This was done by looking to the Buddha for direction and teaching, looking to the Teaching itself as a source of one's advancement and comfort, and looking to those who were already the Buddha's followers for guidance and companionship. Thus the Three Great Refuges were born and, in the traditional formula, were taken by the petitioner's saying: I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sangha.
While this sacred formula has been said in many languages from that time to this, thus changing its outward form, it is not in any way different now than it was in the time of Shakyamuni, and Buddhists of all sects have always taken this as the first and basic step to sincere Buddhist practice.
It is always preferable to receive the Refuges directly from a fully Ordained
Monk or Nun, who serves as "Refuges Master" for this rite. Since that
is not always possible, this web page gives forms for both directly (1st form)
and expediently (2nd form) receiving the Refuges. Even if you will be using
the second form, studying the first form may bring you into closer harmony with
the meaning of this Rite.
Those who are to take
part in the Rite are brought to the Temple and led to the Main Altar and the
Refuges Master, who is dressed in full robe and kesa.They stand attentively,
and when the attendant sounds the small gong they perform a deep bow to the
Altar and the Refuges Master. The Refuges Master returns the bow and steps forward
to accept the stick of incense that each who is taking the refuges now offers
as a gift. The Refuges Master then faces the Altar and performs an Incense Offering
with the gift or gifts.
The Refuges Master then faces the assembled applicants
and says:
It is excellent that you come thus, bringing gifts of pure sandalwood to honor the Tathagata. Having given these alms, is there a higher purpose to your presence here today?
Assembled Applicants (AA):
Venerable One, I come today to present myself before the Buddha and ask for refuge from the sufferings and entanglements of the world.
RM:
How shall you do this?
AA:
It shall be done by my single-mindedly taking refuge in the Buddha, for it is he who has pointed the way and from His Great Compassion given us the Dharma. It shall be done by single-mindedly taking refuge in the Dharma, for it is the living testimony of the Great Awakening and was left behind as a guide for the salvation of all living beings. It is thus the law of the Sangha. It shall be done by taking refuge in the Sangha, which is the Great Community of Monks and Nuns who follow the Teachings of the Great Dragon, the Completely Enlightened Buddha and thus with every breath work diligently to spread the Great Way of Salvation from the Wheel of Karma and the Endless Sufferings of the Cycle of Birth and Death. In this way it shall be done, O Venerable One!
RM:
Well Come, Well Spoken,Well Taken and Well Done. From such good roots as this shall certainly spring forth the Buddha Fruit in times to come! If this is what you sincerely wish, I commend you to begin.
AA: (All now perform a complete prostration and repeat after the Refuges Master:)
I take refuge in the Buddha!
(All rise, then make a second full prostration before repeating after the Refuges Master:)
I take Refuge in the Dharma!
(All rise, then make a third full prostration before repeating after the Refuges Master:)
I take Refuge in the Sangha!
(Refuges are said three times.)
Now all rise, face
the Altar in the Position of Salutation, and with the Refuges Master say:
AA:
Because the Buddha is the Most Perfect Teacher!
Because the Dharma is the Most Perfect Teaching!
Because the Sangha is the Compassionate Assembly who diligently follow the Buddha and the Dharma!
To the Buddha, Hail!
To the Dharma, Hail!
To the Sangha, Hail!
Now all offer three
bows and,following the example of the Refuges Master, each offers a piece of
incense before the Main Altar.
RM:
Because you have thus planted these good roots, you are certainly assured of future success! However, so that you do not add to the debt that must always be repaid, please avoid all heterodox teachings and do your best to follow the Three Pure Precepts that I am about to give you. These Precepts, the Three Pure Precepts, are the Living Dharma of the Buddha and each word is worth ten hundreds of thousands of millions of other words. Listen well then:
From this day forth, I commend to you that you "Cease to Do Evil."
From this day forth, I commend to you that you "Do Only Good." From
this day forth, I commend to you that you "Do Good for Others." One
who is like this is not different from the Buddha himself!
Having given these precepts, my duty is fulfilled; you have been given your
wish, and your duty is now just begun. Thus I commend you to the Protection
of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Nagas and Devas who guard the Dharma and to those
who support by their thoughts, words and deeds the Triple Jewel of Surpassing
Greatness!
The Refuges Master
now bows to those before him and they return his bow before leaving.
The Refuges Master may present you with a Certificate
of Refuges which will give your name and the date and place of the ceremony.
Those who receive the Refuges commonly receive a new name also. If the Refuges
Master is of Chinese, Japanese or Korean lineage, this name is usually two Chinese
characters and is similar to the names given to Monks and Nuns when they are
Ordained. The Tibetans have their own similar system. However, this ceremony
is in no way to be considered an ordination, but rather is a statement of faith.
To take the Refuges
in this expedient fashion, you should first prepare a place of solemn and tranquil
nature. Since the Buddha is everywhere, a complete Buddhist Altar is not necessary;
however such an Altar may help you to focus the mind. When all is prepared and
you yourself are in a state of calm purposefulness, with clean garments and
body, kneel facing the Altar (or the North) and repeat aloud:
Because He is the most perfect Sage and Teacher, who caused His Own Liberation and thus made clear for all future generations the Excellent Path of Salvation from the Sufferings of Birth and Death,
I take Refuge in the Buddha.
Because the Buddha's Great Compassion was recorded for the benefit of all living beings and the Truth He revealed is Unsurpassed by lesser doctrines and teachings,
I take Refuge in the Dharma.
Because He himself wore the Kesa and thus began and guided the Compassionate Order,
I take Refuge in the Sangha.
(Repeat Refuges three times.)
Now perform three full prostrations and, if possible, make an incense offering. Do not rise immediately, but spend some few moments single-mindedly reflecting on the Three Refuges and the Triple Jewel they represent.
Consider the Three Pure Precepts:
Cease to Do Evil
Do Only Good
Do Good for Others
and make a vow to yourself that these will be the new guiding principles of
your life.
Now that you have taken the First Steps, it is natural for you to have questions
about how to begin living the Life of a Follower of the Enlightened One, the
Blessed Buddha.
Generally such questions can best be answered by local members of the Sangha,
or from the F.A.Q. Page on this site, but if this is not possible they may be
asked here, via a special question page. If this
is difficult, you may write directly to:
DRAGON FLOWER CH'AN TEMPLE
P.O. Box 64952 Tacoma, WA 98464
Explain that you have read this Web Page, have taken the Refuges (or wish to do so), and would like additional information about the Daily Practice of The Middle Way.
If you would like a Refuges Certificate, please be certain to give us your
address also or use this link: Refuges
Certificate .If wish to become a member of DFCT, please indicate this in
your letter or message.
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