i have wanted to take refuge for the longest time. to explain in layman's term, the simplest explanation i can think of is that taking-refuge is something akin to getting baptised for the catholics. it formalises a person's commitment to the buddha, his teachings (the dharma), and his followers (the sangha). this, to me is the closest i can get to making my commitment to what i beleive in short of getting myself ordained as a monk. no, i am not ready for that. i first suggested this to my mum sometime in the late 80s/ early 90s. but she suggested i should put it off until i am very certain i want to do it. and when i brought it up again couple of years later, she told me to same. i have since not brought it up to her.
sometime last month, i brought it up to my mum again. she did not disagree. neither did she ask me to put it off. instead, she told me of the commitments i have to make if i did it and that i should not turn back if i did it. in a way, her not asking me to put it off is a signal to me about her approval. this was significant to me. i want to have her blessings when i do it. last week, i went to the temple to check the dates and how i can go about registering for it. have been advised to check the website for details. the next refuge taking ceremony is in early august.
:-)
sometime last month, i brought it up to my mum again. she did not disagree. neither did she ask me to put it off. instead, she told me of the commitments i have to make if i did it and that i should not turn back if i did it. in a way, her not asking me to put it off is a signal to me about her approval. this was significant to me. i want to have her blessings when i do it. last week, i went to the temple to check the dates and how i can go about registering for it. have been advised to check the website for details. the next refuge taking ceremony is in early august.
:-)
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