Taking Refuge in the Vastness and Boundlessness of Buddhism

Just as precious stones such as diamonds, rubies and sapphires are treasured gems of this world, the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are treasures that pertain to the mundane and the gems of true wisdom. To learn and practise Buddhism, the first step is to take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

Nan Hua Temple organized a Triple Gem Refuge Taking Ceremony on the first day of 2009 where over 200 people accepted the Buddha’s teachings and became His true disciples.

Venerable Hui-Fang, Abbot of Nan Hua Buddhist Temple and Presiding Monk of the ceremony on behalf of Venerable Master Hsing-Yun, told the 1500 congregants in the Main Temple, “In the dark night, the Triple Gem is the illuminating light; In the blazing house, the Triple Gem is the benefiting rain; In the uncertain forked road, the Triple Gem is the guiding compass.”

The Abbot explains that the Triple Gem is like a navigator who can bring the ship through the stormy seas into a safe haven. Everyone knows one has to return home at the end of the day. Taking refuge in the Triple Gem and being mindful of its merits, we can rely on its protection and sail through the sea of life, eventually reaching home by returning to our true nature.

It is impossible to fill a contaminated vessel with clean water. Similarly, we cannot accept the Triple Gem if our minds are filled with arrogance, skepticism or impure thoughts. In preparation for taking refuge in the Triple Gem, the Abbot led everyone to repent in earnest, “All the unwholesome karma that was created in the past by greed, anger and ignorance in innumerable kalpas¹ and from the body, speech and mind: I now repent for them all”.

Venerable Yi-Chun, elder of the temple, encouraged everyone, “As a Buddhist disciple, from this moment on, we should understand cause and effect and karmic retribution and follow Mahayana Buddhism to liberate self and others. We should also cultivate meditation, disciplined conduct and strive for enlightenment.”

We pray to the compassionate Buddha:

May we all extinguish violent behaviour;

May we all eradicate angry and hateful crime;

May we all remove suspicious and jealous thoughts;

May we all be able to learn the tranquility of a compassionate heart;

May South Africans be tolerant and practice loving-kindness;

May South Africa be filled with peace and harmony.

kalpas¹ – a measuring unit of time in ancient India, a kalpa is an immense and inconceivable length of time.