You can go to a regular temple to take refuge. Taking refuge is not taking refuge in an individual, but taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha, and the Three Jewels. Only in this way can we become a disciple of the Three Jewels.

If you are just starting to learn Buddhism, please read Master Shengyan’s "Buddhism with Authentic Faith", "Doubts in Learning Buddhism" and "Introduction to Buddhism".

Easy to understand.

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The meaning of taking refuge is posted below for your reference:

Those who take refuge in the Three Jewels must not be unaware of the following issues:

First, taking refuge is not a vegetarian diet , it is not to be ordained, nor to become a monk. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is just an oath to believe in the Three Jewels for life, and vow not to change the belief again.

Second, taking refuge in the Three Jewels allows you to respect gods, ancestors, and pagans, but you should know that respect is different from conversion. Respect is politeness, and conversion means fully investing your body, mind, thoughts, and beliefs in the Three Jewels.

Third, taking refuge in the Three Jewels is not a temporary, one-time or one-time refuge. Taking refuge lasts forever. The original saying of the Yoga Precepts is: Not taking refuge for one day is a violation of the precepts. Taking refuge is not only taking refuge in Buddhism, but also taking refuge in the Sangha, not taking refuge in an individual.

After taking refuge, we need to use Buddhism to regulate our body and mind, strengthen our beliefs, change our temperament, turn past greed into joy, turn hatred into compassion, turn laziness into courage and diligence, and turn negativity into courage. Turn pessimism into positivity and optimism, and then seek the five precepts at home, the eight precepts, etc. to enhance your level of faith and plant the seeds of enlightenment.

The meaning of refuge

Refuge means "to take refuge" and "to rely on", and it also means relief and rescue. The Three Refuges refer to taking refuge in the Three Jewels, relying on the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. With the blessing and protection of the merits and virtues of the Three Jewels, one can stop the boundless wheel of suffering of life and death, stay away from all fear, and be protected and liberated from all sorrows. distressed.

People in the world can obtain material life by relying on the "treasures" of gold and silver; if they can rely on the "treasures" of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, they can obtain the stability of spiritual sublimation.

The book "The Way to Become a Buddha" says: "From the past to the present, from the present to the future, in the process of life after life, living beings rise and fall in the sea of ??suffering, and they urgently need to rely on the Three Jewels. Only by sailing can we reach the other shore. However, all sentient beings are ignorant and do not know how to take refuge. Some people know how to seek refuge, but mistakenly believe in evil teachers and heretics, or are even obsessed with worldly treasures, power, family members, life, etc., but they do not know that property is owned by the five families*. **Sometimes, if you encounter floods or fires, encounter thieves, evil kings, or give birth to unworthy children, your wealth will be lost in an instant, and your lofty power will also be lost. As recorded in the "Sutra of the King of Life": The wheel-turning king unites the four continents, ascends to the Trayast Heaven, and governs the heavenly palace with Emperor Shakti. Eventually, he will inevitably fall to the human world and die of sorrow. Once impermanence comes, he will also be separated. Furthermore, there are Death is inevitable in life, so life is not enough to rely on, and the country and society are always in chaos and are constantly changing. Therefore, these are not the ultimate refuge. Therefore, it is said that "seeking refuge everywhere, the Three Jewels are the most auspicious." "

Volume 34 of "Abhidharma Mahavipasha Lun" says: "People are driven by fear and take refuge in mountains, gardens, jungles, and solitary trees. This is Refuge is not victory, this refuge is not honorable. If you do not take refuge for this reason, you can be liberated from all sufferings. All beings can take refuge in the Buddha and the Dharma and the Sangha. They should always observe with wisdom in the Four Noble Truths, know the origin of suffering, and know that they will always transcend all suffering. Knowing the Eight-branched Noble Path leads to peaceful nirvana. This refuge is the most superior, and this refuge is the most noble. This refuge will surely liberate you from all suffering."

This refuge is based on deep faith and deep belief. The Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are indeed the true refuge, and we can obtain various merits and virtues from them. Knowing that the Three Jewels have such merits, we vow to be a disciple of the Buddha, believe in them, practice them, and seek the mighty virtues of the Three Jewels for their blessing and acceptance. Attribute your body and mind to the Three Jewels, and no longer believe in demons and heretics.

Volume 10 of "Mahayana Yi Zhang" says: "Returning to surrender, so it is called surrender. The appearance of returning to surrender is like a son returning to his father; the meaning of dependence is like the people relying on the king, and the timidity relying on the brave. ”

Generally speaking, conversion is faith. The hope is to receive external help and receive help from other forces. This is the religion of other forces. Buddhist conversion certainly has this meaning, but in addition, it is even more objectionable to foreign religions, because the deepest meaning of conversion is , the ultimate goal is to take refuge in one’s own mind and nature. This is the true meaning of refuge as the Buddha taught his disciples in his Nirvana session: "Rely on self, rely on Dharma, and rely on nothing else."

This clearly shows that disciples should rely on their own strength, practice according to the true Dharma, and rely on their own Buddha nature to become a Buddha. Therefore, the true body of one's own body and mind is Dharma Nirvana. Being able to have this understanding is the true meaning of taking refuge.

Those who take refuge in the Three Jewels are like getting a panacea, which can cure the heart diseases of greed, hatred and delusion; like lamps, candles, stars and moon, they can guide us when we are lost; like a boat sailing on the sea of ??suffering, we can escape from the sea of ??life and death; like a poor man finding a treasure , can solemn our body and mind.

Volume 14 of "Kusashastra" says: "Taking refuge in the Three Jewels can ultimately liberate all suffering."

Volume 10 of the "Mahayana Chapter" also cites three points of the purpose of taking refuge in the Three Jewels. :

1. To stay away from the evil and unwholesome consequences of life and death.

2. To seek transcendent nirvana.

3. To benefit all living beings.

"The Upasaka Sutra" says: "In order to break all suffering, eliminate troubles, and enjoy the supreme joy of peace, we take refuge in the Three Jewels for this reason."

"Prajna" "The Sutra" says: "All saints are named after the non-action method. Inaction means no leakage. Therefore, the three treasures always live in the world and are not deceived by the world's laws. Therefore, they are called treasures, just like the treasures in the world that are possessed by all living beings. Now these three treasures are worshiped by all living beings and the three vehicles and seven beings." "The Good Life Sutra" says: "If a person accepts the three self-returns, the rewards he will receive are inexhaustible, just like the four great treasures throughout the world. The blessings of those who take refuge in the Three Jewels will be immeasurable in seven years." "The Sutra on How to Measure Merit and Virtue" says: "If you complete the three thousand worlds. Among them, the Buddhas Tathagata are like bamboos, reeds, sugar cane, rice and flax. Those Buddhas, World Honored Ones, and the most truly enlightened ones. If there are good men and good women, for twenty thousand years, they will always use all the tools for entertainment, clothing, food, bed, soup, medicine, and all kinds of things. Even after he has passed away, he collects his relics and builds seven pagodas. Each pagoda is covered with incense, flowers, musical instruments, banners, flags, incense, candles, and oil lamps. The Buddha said: Ananda! It is not as good as this good man and good woman who said this with a pure heart: I take refuge in the Buddha, take refuge in the Dharma, and take refuge in the Sangha. The merits I have gained are hundreds of times, a thousand times, and thousands of times greater. It is incalculable. It is beyond the reach of words.”

The Zagama Sutra says: “If you accept the three refuges, you will live in heaven for the rest of your life. If you are pregnant, your child will receive the three refuges; after you are born, you will be born. If you have knowledge and insight, you should teach the three refuges again. Suppose a slave is pregnant and has a child. If you buy a slave, if you can accept the three refuges and the five precepts, then buy it. If you can't, don't buy it and even borrow money and pay interest. Three refuges, and then take refuge with the three treasures. If the World Honored One hears the name of the mantra and vows, he will be reborn in heaven. , the greatest merit, I have to accept it."

There is a record in the "Dhammapada Sutra": "In the past, the five virtues of the Emperor Shakti were separated from the body, and the five signs of decline appeared. He knew that his life was over, and he was about to fall into the trap. The beast was conceived by a donkey in a pottery family. Emperor Shitian immediately rushed to the Buddha's place, bowed his head and bowed, and before he got up, his spiritual consciousness reached the Tao family's donkey. In the belly. At that time, the donkey had no ropes to tie it up, so it broke the vessel while moving, and the owner whipped it. The donkey suffered abdominal pain and injured its fetus. Its spiritual consciousness immediately returned to its original body, and its five virtues were restored. He was the Emperor of Heaven. At that time, the Buddha taught him the truth. Emperor Shitian understood the essence of impermanence, understood the changes in sins and blessings, and understood the root cause of rise and fall. From then on, he happily believed in and accepted the Three Jewels, so he further attained the Sotapanna Path.

< p>Also, it is recorded in the volume of "Old Miscellaneous Parables": "In the past, when the Buddha went to the Trayasa Heaven to preach to his mother, one day a man was about to expire. After his death, he was reborn in the country of Kuyi and suffered from scabies. The sow was carrying a baby in its belly. At that time, the Trayast deity was worried and had no solution. Another deity told him that he should go to the Buddha for help. After hearing this, the deity immediately went to the Buddha and said to the deity, "I want to get rid of the pig." The body should take refuge in the Three Jewels." For three days, the devas followed the Buddha's instructions and took refuge in the morning and evening. After seven days, the devas' lifespan was over, and because of the fate of taking refuge, they were born as the sons of elders in the country of Veiyali. ”

From what has been said above, we can know that the merits of taking refuge are incomparable, so all living beings should take refuge in the Three Jewels. Through the power and blessing of the Three Jewels, we can purify our body and mind, inspire good causes and good conditions, accomplish all things, find the value of life, re-recognize our precious pure nature, and develop the Tathagata Buddha nature inherent in every living being, and the equality of all living beings. Dharma nature and pure sincerity.

The Call of the Three Jewels

1. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels can make life more colorful, more practical and safer.

2. If you want to enrich your life, you must first take refuge in the Three Jewels.

3. Life cannot be without faith. The first step to take faith is to take refuge in the Three Jewels!

4. The turning point in life, turning confusion into enlightenment, turning evil into righteousness, turning evil into good, is to take refuge in the Three Jewels.

5. The most important life event in life is to take refuge in the Three Jewels.

6. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is the support of the soul; taking refuge in the Three Jewels is an eternal treasure.

7. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is the shortcut to happiness!

8. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is the path to the truth and understanding oneself.

9. Take refuge in the Three Jewels. Once you enter Buddhism, you will enter the mystery of Buddhism.

10. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is the basis for receiving the precepts and the foundation for becoming a Buddha.

11. If you want to avoid suffering retribution, you should take refuge in the Three Jewels, believe in the principle of cause and effect and reincarnation, and do not create bad karma.

12. Good faith should be recommended to good friends - take refuge in the Three Treasures together.

13. Recommend carefully, the ultimate refuge - the Three Jewels is the most auspicious.

14. The real hometown - comes from the Three Treasures; the real reliance - comes from the Three Treasures.

15. Toward the road of truth - take refuge in the Three Jewels.

16. Open the window of the soul - take refuge in the Three Jewels.

Seventeen. Rebuilding a happy life - taking refuge in the Three Jewels.

18. Retrieve the true nature - take refuge in the Three Jewels.

19. Light up an eternal heart lamp - take refuge in the Three Jewels.

20. The establishment of a pure land on earth - everyone takes refuge in the Three Jewels.

21. The beginning of spiritual rebirth - taking refuge in the Three Jewels.

22. Navigation of life - take refuge in the Three Jewels.

23. Let go of the burden of life - now is the time to take refuge in the Three Jewels.

24. How long do you have to hesitate about the Buddha’s cordial call? Quickly return to the arms of Sanbao.

Twenty-five, a beacon of light at night, a kind sailing boat on the sea of ??suffering, a field of good blessings, a wise master.

26. To protect the environment of the soul, to have a clear stream of life, and to be a good doctor for patients, we must take refuge in the Three Jewels.

27. The sincere call from the 2,500-year-old Buddha - take refuge in the Three Jewels.

28. Use compassion to replace resentment, use Prajna to influence evil, use charity to help stinginess, and take refuge in the Three Jewels to purify yourself and society.

29. If you take refuge in the Three Jewels, the Three Jewels will be with you!

Thirty. A perfect life begins with taking refuge in the Three Jewels!

The merits and benefits of taking refuge in the Three Jewels, it can be said that in life, the total benefits gained are not as great as the merits and benefits of taking refuge in the Three Jewels. "Buddha Said Xiyou Calculation of Merit Sutra" says: The merit gained from taking refuge in the Three Jewels is so great that if one makes four offerings, or even builds a seven-jewel pagoda to offer relics, it will not be as much as one percent of the merit gained from taking refuge in the Three Jewels. "The Three Jewels are rare to encounter in a lifetime or a thousand catastrophes. Those who take refuge will have immeasurable blessings; those who recite the rituals will destroy their sins. For example, the magic elixir can cure all diseases and eliminate them. In the dark night, the Three Jewels are like lamps. Candles; in the roaring sea of ??suffering, the Three Treasures are the boat; in the house of flames, the Three Treasures are the rain." From this we can know the merits of the Three Treasures.

If you don’t take refuge in the Three Jewels, even if you worship Buddha and burn incense, you can only be regarded as a respecter of Buddhism, not a Buddhist. If you are a Buddhist, the first condition you must meet is to take refuge in the Three Jewels.

What are the merits and benefits of taking refuge in the Three Jewels? To summarize the merits and benefits in the classics, there are the following ten points:

First, I found the greatest saint in the universe, Sakyamuni Buddha, as my teacher and became a formal disciple of Buddha.

Second, the sutra says: "If you take refuge in the Buddha, you will not fall into the hells; if you take refuge in the Dharma, you will not fall into the realm of animals; if you take refuge in the Sangha, you will not fall into the hungry ghosts." Therefore, once you take refuge in the Three Jewels, you can immediately be removed from the lower realms. God has a share.

Third, if you wear a jeweled crown or gorgeous clothes, your body will immediately be solemn; if you take refuge in the Three Jewels, your morality, personality, and faith will be improved.

Fourth, the Buddha instructed the Dharma-protecting dragons and gods and all good gods to protect and bless all disciples of the Three Jewels who have taken refuge in the Dharma Ending Age.

Fifth, be able to gain the respect of the people in the world and be regarded as a role model.

Sixth, disasters can be avoided, peace and auspiciousness will prevail, and all good things will come true.

Seventh, being able to accumulate great merit and obtain great wealth is like creating a smooth road for the future of life, like having a boat sailing in the vast sea of ??suffering.

Eighth, reduce worries, meet good friends, and find convenience everywhere.

Ninth, have the qualifications to be ordained.

People who take refuge in the Three Jewels can accept and observe the Five Precepts, participate in the Eight Precepts, etc.

Tenth, one day, you will definitely be saved. Even if you have no practice, as long as you take refuge in the Three Jewels, you will be saved by Maitreya Bodhisattva Longhua in the future.

An upright life and an upright belief

Although some people in society say they have certain beliefs, in fact, they are more superstitious, and some are even more superstitious. It's an evil belief. So what is true faith? How to obtain a righteous life and faith?

(1) From disguised belief to true belief

The general public tends to be superstitious and evil because they have not obtained true belief. He does a lot of stupid things in a careless manner. For example, reading Feng Shui, timing, fortune telling, horoscopes, divination, and burning tin foil, gold and silver paper are all superstitious behaviors and are not allowed by Buddhism.

There is a Longevity Garden Cemetery in Fo Guang Shan. People often want to bury their relatives or friends in the cemetery because they have passed away. If I meet them, I often say to them: "It is best not to bring Mr. Geography to see Feng Shui." "Some people don't understand why, because when you ask Mr. Geography to check Feng Shui, you must first give him a red envelope from the person who manages the cemetery. If he doesn't give it to him, after he looks at the cemetery, even if the person in charge of the bereavement feels satisfied, he will make excuses. : "The direction of this land is not good. If your parents are buried here, it will offend your descendants." After hearing this, you must think that is okay. In order to bury your parents, you will offend your children. You absolutely cannot want this. piece of land. Another example is building a house. Even if you have your eye on a piece of land, if Mr. Geography says: "It is not good for the house to face this way, because facing this direction is not good for your parents." Just imagine, can you take this taboo? Superstition is to use a terrifying method to seize the weakness of human nature so that you dare not disobey his beliefs. If a person does not have the wisdom of righteous faith, he cannot be freed from superstition. The Buddha has repeatedly instructed us in the Sutra: "Don't predict good or bad luck, look up at the stars." Therefore, what I have followed throughout my life is the wise saying "Every day is a good day, and everywhere is a good place." As long as our intentions are fair, we can go anywhere; as long as everyone finds it convenient, every moment will be auspicious. True Buddhists are never superstitious, and those who are superstitious are never true Buddhists.

The other type is evil belief, such as Yiguandao. What exactly is Yiguandao? I am afraid that few people can truly understand it; but why do so many people believe in it? Perhaps it is its mysterious color and the oath that holds you firmly. You dare not violate it and have no choice but to keep believing. However, faith should not be so rash. Just because of human feelings or selfishness cannot be regarded as true faith. Therefore, we must abandon the superstition of disguised cults and choose the true Buddhist faith.

(2) From the belief in destiny to the belief in autonomy

Most people usually believe in destiny, and everything comes under the arrangement of heaven. Food is given to us by God; benefits are obtained from God. Of course, there is nothing sinful about this kind of thinking. It’s just that you give your sovereignty to God unconditionally and let God be the master and rule us. People who don’t know that they have sovereignty and can rule over themselves, He is truly the most stupid and pitiable person in the world. Why should a person's happiness in life, happiness in life, spiritual joy, and bright future be controlled and bestowed by gods? Buddhism teaches that "everyone has Buddha nature", which is to enhance the sovereignty of each of us. Let us be alert to the fact that we can control everything about ourselves. Dark things can be changed into light; miserable things can be turned into happiness; rough things can be paved into a broad road of life. To believe in Buddhism, to put it more clearly, is to believe in oneself. Isn’t it more meaningful to create everything with your own hands than to rely on the control of gods?

(3) From the belief in human feelings to the belief in righteous faith

There are many people who often go to this temple to socialize or go to that temple, and in the end they are accepted by many people. Surrounded by favors, one cannot choose true faith. In fact, faith should be based on the law and not on people. The Buddha said that there are "four reliances", namely, 1. "Relying on the Dharma and not on others": People who believe in Buddhism should seek "faith, understanding, practice and realization" based on the Buddha's teachings, and should not give up because of the merits of others (the person who teaches the Dharma). Belief; or just be a believer in a certain temple or a certain monk, while ignoring the entire Buddhist dharma.

2. "Rely on wisdom rather than knowledge": Wisdom is intelligence, like bright light, you can see the true face; consciousness is difference and distinction.

Only those who study Buddhism can obtain the true essence of Buddhism by pursuing the Dharma without discriminating knowledge; those who study Buddhism should use their wisdom to internally realize the truth in order to gain liberation.

3. "Rely on meaning rather than words": People who believe in Buddhism should understand Buddhism from the perspective of meaning and should not scrutinize or care about language.

4. "Relying on righteousness but not relying on righteousness": Buddhism without meaning is just a convenient way to persuade new believers or people with shallow foundations; to believe in the truth, you should believe in the ultimate one-way path to liberation.

The "Four Reliances" are principles that every believer in Buddhism should know and implement them practically.

(4) From the faith of the temple to the faith of the Sangha

We believe in Buddhism. We should not just be believers in one temple, but should be believers in the entire Buddhist Sangha; To be a disciple of a certain person, you should be a disciple of the entire Sangha. As a Buddhist, you should protect any monastery; you should help the Sangha with all your heart in everything that you can do, and you should care for the Sangha as much as you care for your own home. There are many temples all over the province and there are many believers. It is often seen that some lay believers walk between each temple and compare the enthusiasm of the monks towards them. Some even go so far as to stir up trouble and cause disharmony between temples. This kind of This is not the behavior that a true Buddhist should do. Believing in the Sangha and protecting the Sangha are the responsibilities of Buddhist disciples.