Taking refuge: Outer and Inner

[Guest guest]

Hello All,

 

So much appreciation here for your gifts of all the lovely posts.

Espoecially to John Metzger for the long story poem by Thich Nhat Hanh

and the various samadi posts by so many of you. While going thru a

rather quiet time for speaking myself, may I offer something back, on

which the inner refuges speaks to all. Much love, Gloria

---_

->

 

There are two aspects in Refuge : Outer refuge and Inner refuge.

Outer refuge is so strongly emphasized in entering the path of

Buddhadharma. We take refuge in the Buddha as an example, in the

dharma as

the path, and in the Sangha as our companion. These are the three

outer

refuges.

 

In the initial ceremony, we're principally concerned with the outer

refuge.

1) We take refuge in the Shakyamuni Buddha.

2) We take refuge in the Dharma, the teachings of Buddha.

3) We take refuge in the Sangha, the Assembly, as our companion.

 

The outer form of refuge is simply a confirmation through our body,

speech,

and mind of the inner-most discovery of refuge, of taking refuge

simply

within our heart, within our mind. Taking refuge in the outer sense,

which

we are going through right now, is the process of re-strengthening and

confirming our confidence, our trust, and our basic sense of courage

in

order to further our understanding and realization of this enlightened

heart.

 

 

When we go further to talk about Inner Refuge,

 

1) We take inner refuge in buddha -

The innermost sense of refuge is the discovery of our own basic nature

of

mind which is the nature of Buddha's wisdom. We're making a commitment

to

discover our own basic nature as being the wisdom of Buddha, to

uncover

that, to work on the development of our basic potential of Buddha, the

dharmakaya Buddha. Dharmakaya is always within our being, within all

sentient beings. We possess the basic qualities of the Buddha from

beginningless time.

 

 

2) We take inner refuge in the dharma

Becoming one with the path of fully developing this discovery of

essence,

this discovery of seed. The point at which your mind and the Dharma

are

totally mixed, and you become the Dharma. Ultimately, it is the mixing

of

the meaning of Dharma with your mind such that your actions and state

of

body, speech and mind are always in accordance with the Dharma. So the

real

Dharma is realization and, as an ultimate source of refuge

 

3) We take inner refuge in Sangha

After you have discovered this basic heart of enlightenment, after you

have

familiarized yourself with that, internalized it as the path, then

whatever

comes out of it as a product and as a result is what we call the

Sangha.

The warmth, the loving heart which manifests out of these two first

discoveries is what we call taking refuge in Sangha. So that is the

companion. Our companion is loving-kindness, our companion is

bodhicitta,

our companion is love for others, our companion is compassion for

others.

 

Inner refuge is directed towards this seed of enlightenment, this

inner

Buddha-nature. We recognise that, ultimately, we are our own refuge.

 

At this point a question may arise. "If taking refuge is a matter of

relying on our own inner wisdom, why do we have a formal refuge

ceremony?

Why is this ritual necessary?" The answer is that it reminds us how

critical the moment of taking refuge is: it marks our arrival at a

crucial

insight into our own nature. So many times in the past we have sought

security in trivialities, but now we have discovered our innate

capacity to

fulfil the most exalted destiny of all: complete emancipation from

suffering. We are determined that, from this moment on, rather than

taking

refuge in ephemeral fictions, we will take refuge in our own pure,

clear

wisdom-energy and set out on the path to liberation. The ceremonious

action

of taking refuge strengthens this determination.

 

For vajrayana practises(Tibetan), there will be a total of 3 refuges.

Inner,Outer,Secret.

1) The outer refuge objects are the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha,

2) The inner refuge objects are the guru(Root of Blessing ), daka or

yidam

(Root of accomplishments) and dakini (Root of activities),

3) The secret refuge object is your own Buddha nature.

 

Varjayana traditions as mention above are a little bit different but

the

essence is the same.

 

 

Source :

http://www.zamba.com/BuddhasVillage/teachings/ly_refuge.htm

http://www.nalandabodhi.org/inner_refuge.html

http://www.nalandabodhi.org/outer_refuge.html

 

 

 

>Hi fellow brothers and sisters in the Dharma,

>I have discovered recently that there are some buddhists

organisation

>in Singapore are carrying out some funny ceremony which I think is

>funny. In part of taking refuge in Triplegem, they still carried out

>ceremony like taking refuge in certain specific Buddhas or

>Bodhisattava recently. Is it that taking refuge in Triplegem will be

>the same as taking refuge of all Buddha and Bodhisatta in all the

ten

>directions? Pls englighten me if I am wrong.

>With Metta,

>Johnny Ng

Cheers,

Dan

 

 

 

Dharma-Direct-

[Guest guest]

Greetings Gloria and all

Yes, much love to you, too, friend; my sentiment too

is "offering something back" for all the soul-food that

is served here. Thanks a lot, John

 

 

 

 

, "Gloria Lee" <glee@i...> wrote:

> Hello All,

>

> So much appreciation here for your gifts of all the lovely posts.

> Espoecially to John Metzger for the long story poem by Thich Nhat

Hanh

> and the various samadi posts by so many of you. While going thru a

> rather quiet time for speaking myself, may I offer something back,

on

> which the inner refuges speaks to all. Much love, Gloria

> --

-_

> ->

>

[Guest guest]

Gloria...

 

Beautiful... first read brought happy tears... re-read brought

more happy tears.Thank you.

 

Much love, Robert

 

PS - good morsel.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gloria,

Thanks for the Refuge discussion. Its a topic thats been much on my

mind recently. You seem familiar with Vajrayana practices, and I'm

wondering if you would give me an answer or opinion on a question. And

also anyone else who is familiar with this topic.

 

In the Tibetan traditions, how much is Outer Refuge said to create a

link or bond to the Lineage and/or Teacher who is the preceptor for the

vows?

 

Thanks,

Lynne

[Guest guest]

-

Lynne <lkeilman

 

Thursday, September 07, 2000 12:39 AM

Re: Taking refuge: Outer and Inner

 

 

Hi Gloria,

Thanks for the Refuge discussion. Its a topic thats been much on my

mind recently. You seem familiar with Vajrayana practices, and I'm

wondering if you would give me an answer or opinion on a question. And

also anyone else who is familiar with this topic.

 

In the Tibetan traditions, how much is Outer Refuge said to create a

link or bond to the Lineage and/or Teacher who is the preceptor for the

vows?

 

Thanks,

Lynne

 

-----------------------

 

Dear Lynne,

 

Actually, I know very little. Victor might help with this question, as he goes

way back with the Tibetans. But here's what I do know. Traditionally, the

joining with a teacher within a lineage, meant that he personally would take on

your training and discern your fitness for moving thru the various initiations

into teachings, which back in Tibet were mostly resreved for those in the

monastic schools and not so much given to lay people, at least the "higher

teachings." There are like 4 main lineages in Tibet, some teachings are held "in

common" with all four, then obviously there are some differences too. More info

is on the web, of course.

 

This system has not been so workable in the west, except for the fortunate few

who can hook up and be dedicated to a Tibetan lama (there just aren't enough to

go around to duplicate the one to one relationship of former times), and now

many of the teachings are disseminated in huge mass initiations of vow taking,

such as the Dalai Lama giving the Kalachakra initiation in Indiana this past

summer. Or thru books of course, teachings and other information are available,

even the esoteric. Victor recommends a terrific book he shared with me which was

out of print, but Amazon will have it again soon: Self-Liberation through seeing

with naked awareness. Some more closely guarded oral teachings do survive, again

not so readily available. A huge library of Tibetan texts exists, and much

remains to be translated into English. Annette (Rainbo) knows a couple people

working on this.

 

The above all might apply more to what you can be consciously aware of..and

learn with your mind. Direct contact with a teacher allows for more direct

influence, of course. Other than that, it is perhaps optional to your belief,

how much of a role grace plays in your unfoldment from behind the scenes of your

conscious awareness. To me, grace is like the whole shebang, tho some see this

as "too mystical." What was said in the original post about the inner refuge is

pretty much in line with Ramana saying that there is only one Guru, and it is

the Self. When you start hearing "the same thing" being said by all the known

'greats' of realization, you pay attention. There is often a forest obscuring

the trees, if you know how I mean this.

 

Victor recommends a terrific book he shared with me which was out of print, but

Amazon will have it available again soon: Self-Liberation through seeing with

naked awareness. Translation and commentary by John Reynolds.

 

If this doesn't answer what you are asking, please keep asking. I may not have

heard your question clearly. Thanks.

 

Gloria

[Guest guest]

Hi Glora,

 

What a pleasant and well-written reply to Lynne! Good sense and good heart

shine from every sentence!

 

Love,

 

--Greg

 

At 02:54 PM 9/7/00 -0400, Gloria Lee wrote:

 

Dear Lynne,

 

Actually, I know very little. Victor might help with this question, as he goes

way back with the Tibetans. But here's what I do know. Traditionally, the

joining with a teacher within a lineage, meant that he personally would

take on

your training and discern your fitness for moving thru the various initiations

into teachings, which back in Tibet were mostly resreved for those in the

monastic schools and not so much given to lay people, at least the "higher

teachings." There are like 4 main lineages in Tibet, some teachings are

held "in

common" with all four, then obviously there are some differences too. More

info

is on the web, of course.

 

This system has not been so workable in the west, except for the fortunate few

who can hook up and be dedicated to a Tibetan lama (there just aren't

enough to

go around to duplicate the one to one relationship of former times), and now

many of the teachings are disseminated in huge mass initiations of vow taking,

such as the Dalai Lama giving the Kalachakra initiation in Indiana this past

summer. Or thru books of course, teachings and other information are

available,

even the esoteric. Victor recommends a terrific book he shared with me

which was

out of print, but Amazon will have it again soon: Self-Liberation through

seeing

with naked awareness. Some more closely guarded oral teachings do survive,

again

not so readily available. A huge library of Tibetan texts exists, and much

remains to be translated into English. Annette (Rainbo) knows a couple people

working on this.

 

The above all might apply more to what you can be consciously aware of..and

learn with your mind. Direct contact with a teacher allows for more direct

influence, of course. Other than that, it is perhaps optional to your belief,

how much of a role grace plays in your unfoldment from behind the scenes of

your

conscious awareness. To me, grace is like the whole shebang, tho some see this

as "too mystical." What was said in the original post about the inner

refuge is

pretty much in line with Ramana saying that there is only one Guru, and it is

the Self. When you start hearing "the same thing" being said by all the known

'greats' of realization, you pay attention. There is often a forest obscuring

the trees, if you know how I mean this.

 

Victor recommends a terrific book he shared with me which was out of print,

but

Amazon will have it available again soon: Self-Liberation through seeing with

naked awareness. Translation and commentary by John Reynolds.

 

If this doesn't answer what you are asking, please keep asking. I may not have

heard your question clearly. Thanks.

 

Gloria

 

 

 

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<<<<

[Guest guest]

On Thu, 7 Sep 2000, Gloria Lee wrote:

>

> This system has not been so workable in the west, except for the fortunate few

> who can hook up and be dedicated to a Tibetan lama (there just aren't enough

to

> go around to duplicate the one to one relationship of former times), and now

> many of the teachings are disseminated in huge mass initiations of vow taking,

> such as the Dalai Lama giving the Kalachakra initiation in Indiana this past

> summer. Or thru books of course, teachings and other information are

available,

> even the esoteric. Victor recommends a terrific book he shared with me which

was

> out of print, but Amazon will have it again soon: Self-Liberation through

seeing

> with naked awareness. Some more closely guarded oral teachings do survive,

again

> not so readily available. A huge library of Tibetan texts exists, and much

> remains to be translated into English. Annette (Rainbo) knows a couple people

> working on this.

 

 

Actually, depending on where you live, it can be quite easy to find a

lama. There are 3 that regularly come through where I live, and one who

lives here. Not to mention a wonderful Zen master or two .

 

i consider myself fortunate.

 

One note on mass-initiations, like the Kalachakra. Kalachakra is the only

highest yoga tantra that i know of that is given publically like that.

Other times, what i've seen for "mass" initiations are the outer tantras.

Things that require maybe a small commitment, and can be practised often

without the initiation.

 

If you remember me from before on HarshaSatasang, i get a little bit nuts

about what is "public" and what is stuff that should only be gotten from a

teacher. Its just that in my life, such wonderful blessings have come from

the traditional interaction, that i can't imagine wanting to only read

about it and not do it.

 

Its true what they say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears.

Actually the Guru was always there, the student finally learned to see

him/her is all

 

maitri, (lovingkindness in Sanskrit)

 

--janpa

[Guest guest]

Hi janpa,

 

I've seen that too. There's a phrase called "nightstand Buddhists," for

those who just want to read about it, maybe to get nice feelings and

thoughts before drifting off to sleep. A whiff is enough, for the moment.

Imagine! All the books in Barnes and Noble and Amazon about Buddhism, and

how few folks in the meditation halls, temples, monasteries and retreats...

 

Amituofo!

 

--Greg

 

At 10:13 PM 9/9/00 -0500, Debora A. Orf wrote:

 

Its just that in my life, such wonderful blessings have come from

the traditional interaction, that i can't imagine wanting to only read

about it and not do it.

 

Its true what they say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears.

Actually the Guru was always there, the student finally learned to see

him/her is all

 

maitri, (lovingkindness in Sanskrit)

 

--janpa

[Guest guest]

Hey, what is this ami - tofu? Mary keeps trying to poison me with tofu.

I love her just the same...

 

Love, mark

(still in fetus position)

 

Gregory Goode wrote:

>

>

> Hi janpa,

>

> I've seen that too. There's a phrase called "nightstand Buddhists,"

> for

> those who just want to read about it, maybe to get nice feelings and

> thoughts before drifting off to sleep. A whiff is enough, for the

> moment.

> Imagine! All the books in Barnes and Noble and Amazon about Buddhism,

> and

> how few folks in the meditation halls, temples, monasteries and

> retreats...

>

> Amituofo!

>

> --Greg

>

> At 10:13 PM 9/9/00 -0500, Debora A. Orf wrote:

>

> Its just that in my life, such wonderful blessings have come from

> the traditional interaction, that i can't imagine wanting to only read

>

> about it and not do it.

>

> Its true what they say, when the student is ready, the teacher

> appears.

> Actually the Guru was always there, the student finally learned to see

>

> him/her is all

>

> maitri, (lovingkindness in Sanskrit)

>

> --janpa

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

On Tue, 12 Sep 2000, Mark W. Otter wrote:

>

> Hey, what is this ami - tofu? Mary keeps trying to poison me with tofu.

> I love her just the same...

>

> Love, mark

> (still in fetus position)

>

 

Amitabha, the buddha of limitless light. Western pureland.

 

Red in colour, sitting in meditation, holding a begging bowl.

 

Sits on Avolokiteshvara's head.

 

Also sits on Tara's head...

 

Amida Bul.

 

--jt