Travel Day 1075 – Kopan Monastery, NEPAL
After spending a couple of weeks in a Buddhist monastery and while finishing up the second class, the question arose if it would make sense to take refuge in the three jewels: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha…
Refuge in Buddha, Dharma, Sangha
Officially becoming a Buddhist seemed to be almost the most logical consequence, especially after appreciating and living by the Buddhist teachings for a couple of years now. So, when a refuge sign-up sheet was passed out after finishing the class, I too was amongst those few people who put their name down to be initiated. But then when we had a meeting to discuss the meaning of taking refuge in greater detail, I started to second guess my decision…
As it turned out, becoming a Buddhist was more serious than I had initially expected. Thinking of Buddhism rather as a philosophy than a religion, taking refuge for me meant simply the confirmation that one was willing to accept the teachings of the Buddha as the main guidance to leading a good life. But unfortunately in this case, taking refuge and being a Buddhist meant to stop being a Christian altogether and to acknowledge the Buddha as the only spiritual leader…
Personal Refuge Book for new Buddhists
Since I had been a Christian for all my life, even if not really a practicing one, it still seemed a bit drastic to give that up entirely since my whole education and my moral value system was based on Christian believes. Furthermore, by this stage I had accepted Amma, who was representing and teaching Hinduism, as my spiritual Guru. So taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, while becoming a Buddhist seemed to lead me on a few different levels into some sort of moral conflicts…
The natural conclusion was to take a step back and not to rush into this life changing decision. It seemed that if I really felt strongly about becoming a Buddhist, I could always do so at any future point in time, when I had studied and understood more about the essence of Buddhism and when I would feel more comfortable about making a real commitment. For right now, it seemed more than enough to live by the teachings of the Buddha and to practice Dharma as much as possible…
Commitments of Refuge in the Buddha
I could still live my life according to the five precepts. I could still live a virtues life and make sure that my senses would not become too excited, leading only to uncontrolled actions and negative karma. I could still have a compassionate attitude towards others. I could still abide in equanimity and be free from hatred and attachment. I could still generate Bodhichitta, trying to overcome the Ego and seek liberation or even enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings. I could actually still do all these things without being officially a Buddhist…
So after going back and forth on the decision of taking refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, I decided to stay a Christian and to practice Buddhism while having a Hindu Guru…
Find all Kopan Monastery 2013 Photos here.
It is a bit similar to me. As a child I always loved the Buddhism, but I was afraid to lose my Christian roods. Some years ago my meaning about religion changed and Jesus was no god anymore because he was born as a god, he was just a simple guy who understand the live, the universe, because he felt it. Some month ago I met Amma and saw and felt that incredible power. And I met people like you. Everyone knows a bit more about live and some know everything, like Jesus and Buddha. I think there is a path for everyone and the live/god shows you this path every day and you learn. I think nobody should narrow his possibilities and hold on rituals and rules because they are written in a book or a community/religion want you to do that. If you really feel it, it is absolutely clear and it is your own decision, than it is your way.
I was thinking and reading a lot about the Buddhism the last days. And maybe I felt in the same way. Maybe we have the same topic in the moment.
Your article was really helpful for me.
I say thank you to the god in you and send you love from Bali.
Hey Thomas,
Thank you for your kind words! You are definitely right when you say that everyone needs to find their own way and walk on their own path. The Dalai Lama once said: “Just because someone is not on your path doesn’t mean that he/she is lost…”
I think that is very true and of course all those people you are mentioning like Jesus, Buddha and even Amma have all rather looked inside than taking refuge and followed someone else. Just finding once very own path seems to be the challenge sometimes, but on the other hand we are already on it… : )
Much love back from Bangkok!
Thank you for the great post! It’s interesting because in 2010 and in 2011, I almost took refuge but was unable to give up or let go of my Catholic roots and practice. I was reading books on Buddhism while still attending Mass and also doing retreats at Tibetan Monasteries.
I recently had to take a theology course at a Catholic Jesuit University as part of a core requirement for my degree (everyone has to take theology). After taking this course and debating the old/new testaments I finally knew that Christianity isn’t my path and knew I wanted to take refuge. I have always thought it was interesting that the crucial turning point for me away from Christianity and towards Buddhism was the course I took at a Jesuit college…..
I think there are many religions and paths to follow for many different types of people. We are also lucky to have choices and decisions to find and follow the path that makes most sense to us.
I enjoy your blog! Hope you are having a nice time in Thailand!!
Hi Kristin,
Thank you for your thoughts! I personally don’t think that Buddhism and Christianity contradict each other in the essence of the teachings. I would also rather regard Buddhism as a philosophy and not so much as a religion, because it doesn’t have a creator god or the requirements for bind faith.
On the one hand this is why Buddhism appeals to me so much and on the other this is why I don’t believe it conflicts any of the other regions. Actually because Buddhism seems very pragmatic and accessible, studying it helps me a lot to better understand the essence of the other religions.
But best of all, it is not even really necessary to take refuge. You can still explore the different choices while following the teachings of the Buddha and practicing the dharma at the same time…
Thanks for liking my blog and enjoy life wherever you are at the moment… : )
Nice thoughts!!! I absolutely agree with some things you mentioned but disagree with others :). Have you had time yet to read Essence of the Heart Sutra by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama? There is a wonderful chapter: Religion in Today’s World. I think his explanation is outstanding. I will defer to his beautiful words and knowledge.
Here are some things he mentions:
“We can divide all religions into two broad based camps: the theistic ones, which assert the existence of a creator, and the non-theistic ones which do not. Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism are all examples of theistic religions. Buddhism, Jainism and one branch of the ancient Indian tradition known as Samkhya are examples of nontheistic religions.”
“Although the world’s religions differ widely in terms of metaphysics and philosophy, the conclusions these differing philosophies arrive at-that is, their ethical teachings-show a high degree of convergence…..in some form or other, the philosophies of all world religions emphasize love, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness and the importance of self-discipline. ”
His last paragraph I find important. “We begin with a broad based education from grammar school through college, almost everyone initially studies a similar basic curriculum. But if we wish to pursue advanced training, perhaps a doctorate, we can do so only in a particular field. From the point of view of the individual spiritual practitioner, as one goes deeper into one’s spiritual path practicing one religion and one spiritual truth becomes important. So while it is essential that human society as a whole embrace the reality of many paths and many truths, for an individual, it may be better to follow one path and one truth.” HH
However, one path or many might work for some but not for others. The joy is that we are lucky to be able to study, learn and practice what appeals to us most. We live in a fortunate world!!
With many blessings and warm thoughts for your experience in Thailand!!!
Kristin
Hi Kristin,
That sounds really quite interesting and I did not know that the Dalai Lama is seeing Buddhism in that way.
On the other hand the Dalai Lama is representing Tibetan Buddhism, the Mahayana Tradition and the Gelugpa order. Since this is a very specific type of Buddhism, I wonder if what he is referring to as Buddhism applies to all different types and branches.
In general it seems to me that the Tibetan Buddhism is quite a unique construct anyway since Tibet was probably the last country to adopt Buddhism and it only did so while incorporating a lot of the animistic beliefs originating in Tibet’s strong roots in Bon. I believe it was Padmasambhava who mixed the philosophy of Buddhism with the religion of Bon and the result was what we know today as Tibetan Buddhism, which is today probably closer to a religion than to a philosophy…
Anyhow, I will hopefully be staying in a Hinayana Monastery while in Thailand and it will be great to see how their approach of Buddhism differs since Hinayana is supposedly more authentic and not influenced by Bon. I will certainly keep you posted on my experiences… : )
Many warm thoughts back from Thailand,
Dennis
I don’t believe in the idea that there is one form of Buddhism that is purer from another. I believe that there are Shakyamuni’s teachings, his disciples, great interpreter’s of his words and many different schools of thought associated with the understanding of his teachings. The wonderful thing is that we can search and find the school of thought that best resonates with us.
When Buddhism traveled through Asia it was incorporated into different cultures and thrived regardless of the culture and beliefs at that time. That is the beauty of Shakyamuni’s teachings…the Four Noble Truths, the Cessation of cyclic existence, etc. etc….
So whether or not it is Hinayana or Mahayana or another school…There is only one Shakyamuni, there are only his teachings. There exists a path to enlightenment that we can follow from different schools that makes most since to us.
In Mahayana this is expressed: The first sermon at Varanasi after enlightenment is the “first turning of the wheel of dharma” and framework for the Four Noble Truths etc… The teachings emphasize suffering and it’s cessation.
Is this strictly Hinayana? I haven’t studied the Hinayana interpretations
The Mahayana texts come from the “second turning of the wheel of Dharma.” Taken from the sermons mostly taught at Vulture Peak, they mostly emphasize emptiness. In Mahayana there are also teachings that come from the “third turning of the wheel of Dharma” (I haven’t attempted to study that yet
I believe the Gelug school was formed by Tsong Kha Pa. I am reading his Lam Rim Chen Mo right now and will hope to understand and know more later….we shall see
I have enjoyed our discussions, you have made me think. And I am quite looking forward to hearing about your stay at a Hinayana Monastery. Not only are you crossing cultures, you will be experiencing a different school of thought!
Have a wonderful time with new experiences!
Kristin
Hi Kristin,
Actually the monastery I stayed at, Wat Suan Mokkh in Thailand, claimed to be a Theravada Buddhist monastery. Now I am not really sure how that is different from from Hinayana, but in any case, everything in this monastery was about simplicity. We had to sleep on hard concrete surfaces with a wooden pillow, get up at 4am, eat only two meals per day and so forth…
I just started writing about my experiences and eventually I will do a little comparison between the two approaches of Buddhism, but at least at Suan Mokkh they stated quite clearly:
Buddhism is not a Religion, it is a Way of Life…
Best wishes,
Dennis
Hi Kristin,
Did you have the chance to see that I finally managed to write a little comparison between my stay at the Mahayana and the Theravada Buddhist monastery? Please have a look:
http://www.seetheworldinmyeyes.com/travel-diary/southeast-asia/thailand/mahayana-and-theravada-buddhism/
I hope you will enjoy reading it.
Best wishes,
Dennis
Hello Danis,
how do you say about the experience about taking refuge in the Buddha, dharma and Sangha?
Thank You