Taking Refuge

Question 1

What is taking refuge part of

Answer 1

The Three Jewels of Buddhism or Triratna

Question 2

What do Buddhists take refuge and why?

Answer 2

‘I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sanhga’
Outlined by the Buddha in the Tipitaka as a prayer called the Refuge Formula

Question 3

Why do Buddhists take refuge?

Answer 3

Taking refuge is a source of strength to rebuild and refresh a Buddhist, it’s making a commitment on how they are going to live their lives and consciously identifying the ultimate aim of enlightenment

Question 4

Why do Buddhists chant the Refuge Formula

Answer 4

Reaffirm their own identity

Question 5

What’s a quote from the Buddha?

Answer 5

“One is one’s own master, one’s own refuge”

Buddhists believe you can only find happiness within yourself

Question 6

What’s another quote (scholar)

Answer 6

“By taking refuge we commit ourselves to freedom”, Chogyam Trungpa

Question 7

What do Mahayana Buddhists believe about the refuge formula?

Answer 7

Through chanting it your experiencing Buddha nature

Question 8

What three ways to Buddhists take refuge?

Answer 8

1) By participating in the refuge ceremony
2) As an Act of worship throughout their lives
3) By focusing their life on the three jewels as sources of strength

Question 9

Explain the first way to participate in Refuge

Answer 9

1) Refuge Ceremony
Heritage Buddhists first time normally around the age of 7 in the local monastery in the presence of monk, they recite the refuge formula three times.
Convert Buddhists this marks the point at where they join the religion

Question 10

Explain the second way Buddhists participate in refuge

Answer 10

2) As an act of worship
Reciting the refuge formula everyday as a constant reminder of their commitment, morning and evening prayers begin with the formula

Question 11

Explain the third way Buddhists take refuge

Answer 11

3) By focusing their life on the three jewels

Not by using rules but an existential act or a shift in one’s way of life towards the Buddha, Dharmma and Sangha

Question 12

What is the Theravada view on taking refuge?

Answer 12

• Acknowledging the historical role of the Buddha and discovering the path to enlightenment and the Dhamma
• Show respect and gratitude towards status, bowing, lighting candles and offering incense NOT WORSHIPPING

Question 13

What is the Mahayana Buddhist view on taking Refuge

Answer 13

There are three different understandings of the Buddha which are called the ‘Three Body Doctrine’

Question 14

What is the three body doctrine?

Answer 14

Mahayana belief in taking refuge within the Buddha
Nirmanakaya = form body meaning all enlightened beings
Sambhogakaya = bliss body meaning Bodhisattvas in celestial realms
Dharmakaya = body of truth meaning ultimate truth we all have the potential to realise

Question 15

How do Tibetan Buddhists take refuge?

Answer 15

In spiritual masters who have reached enlightenment and has upaya to make the Dhamma accessible to others ie Dalai Lama

Question 16

How do Zen Buddhists take refuge?

Answer 16

Within their own Buddha nature not an external figure

Question 17

How to Buddhists take refuge in the Dhamma?

Answer 17

Through accepting and studying the teachings of the Buddha until you embody them ie Three Lakshanas, Universal Truth of the universe - Wisdom, Sila and mental discipline and meditation

Question 18

How do Mahayana Buddhists take refuge in the Dhamma?

Answer 18

Different views on what’s included

Mahayana Buddhists include the teachings of spiritual leaders and lotus sutra

Question 19

What is taking refuge in the Sangha to Buddhists?

Answer 19

Fourfold Sangha = monks, nuns, laymen and laywoman

They recognise the role it plays within the religion ie Field of Merit and being of exemplary moral conduct

Question 20

What does going for refuge in the Sangha mean to Mahayana Buddhists?

Answer 20

Includes the spiritual guides of Bodhisattvas