DISCOVERING BUDDHISM: Refuge in the Three Jewels

Get informed about what it means to take refuge in the Three Jewels – the Buddha, his teachings, and the spiritual community. Discover the difference between a worldly refuge and one that can lead us out of cyclic existence. Find out about the lay vows, refuge commitments and essential practices.

There is no requirement that you become a Buddhist, but this course enable you to make an informed decision. There is both the outer and the inner refuge, and understanding the meaning of these can enhance our spiritual practice immeasurably. We will know we have developed a successful practice of refuge when we are no longer distracted from meaningful activity!

Before taking ultimate refuge, you must check up. Lama Zopa Rinpoche explains, there are four qualities which make Buddha the ultimate refuge:

– Buddha is free from suffering and the cause of suffering
– Buddha is expert in the methods to free others from suffering
– Buddha has no discriminating thought and has equal compassion and care for all
– Buddha works to benefit every sentient being whether they benefit him or not

UNIT 7: Refuge in the Three Jewels
We have requested Geshe Tsultrim to bestow the Refuge Ceremony at the end of this year, so this unit is the perfect preparation for that – as well as your way to find out if you are ready!

We are half way through the 13 units, but you are most welcome to join the course at any time. Come along for a couple of classes and see how the course suits you.

Topics include:
– Reasons for going for refuge
– Valid refuge objects
– Qualities of the Three Jewels, their ultimate and relative meanings
– Measure of having gone for refuge
– Causal and resultant refuge
– Benefits of having gone for refuge
– Refuge commitments
– What the five lay vows are and the benefits of taking them
– Introduction to refuge preliminary practice

Presented by FPMT registered teacher:

“Our mind also has buddha nature, the fully enlightened being’s nature, which is the clear light nature of the mind, which is pure, it doesn’t exist from its own side and is not oneness with mistakes… Buddha nature is clear light, the nature of the mind is clear light. This is the fundamental reason which gives us all the possibilities, all the opportunities for good things, all the hopes for good things.”

– Lama Zopa Rinpoche

“We are practicing Dharma, practicing meditation and actualizing the path in order to become the result refuge, Buddha, the Sangha and to actualize the Dharma within our own mental continuum. This is the ultimate taking refuge. We are practicing meditation, practicing Dharma for this, so that we can become a perfect guide, able to do perfect work for all sentient beings.”

– Lama Zopa Rinpoche