Teaching from the Abbot
There is a saying that the authentic Dharma is like the beauty of moonlight. This teaching will mainly cover refuge, development of Bodhicitta and Tathagatagarbha, the Buddha nature. Refuge is the entrance to all the different practices of Buddhism First, let me explain the importance of refuge. Refuge is the entrance, the doorway, to all the different practices of Buddhism, whether Theravada, Mahayana, Sutrayana or Vajrayana. It is a method that will lead to ultimate liberation. This is why it is said that all Buddhists believe in taking in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha – the Three jewels. Refuge is classified according to the motivation with which one takes it. There are two types of refuge : the mundane or worldly and the supreme or world- transcending. Mundane refuge is the refuge that one takes to obtain the temporary happiness of gods and humans, simply to avoid the suffering of the three lower realms, i.e. the realms of hell, hungry ghosts and animals. Supreme refuge comprises refuge for the Theravada and the Mahayana Buddhists. In Theravada, motivated by the fear of samsara, one takes refuge in the three jewels to seek individual liberation, so that one can attain the state of Sravaska, or the Solitary Hearer. In Mahayana, one takes refuge in the Three Jewels, with the altruistic and great compassionate motivation to seek liberation for the sake of all beings. It is not sufficient just to feel compassionate for the beings in samsara; one must be determined to liberate them from their sufferings. Therefore, one takes refuge in the three jewels to free oneself and others from the perils of both samsaric existence and the peace of nirvana until enlightenment is attained for all. This particular refuge in Mahayana consists of causal refuge, which is provisional and resultant refuge, which is ultimate refuge. The Tibetan word konchok refers to quality of the three jewels and means “rare” and “supreme”, like the wish fulfilling jewel which is difficult to obtain, and it means that to meet the three jewels is extremely difficult and precious. If there are no previously accumulated virtues, it is impossible to meet with the three jewels; therefore it is “precsious”. If you meet with the three jewels, it is like getting the wish fulfilling jewel which is so difficult to obtain and so rare and previous. Taking refuge because of fear of samsara Why is it necessary to refuge? It does not matter where you take rebirth, whether in the higher realms or the lower realms, everywhere in samsara is like a burning fire, a dangerous place of Raksha and a cave of poisonous snakes. If you understand the suffering nature of samsara and you are afraid of this suffering, you need to believe that the three jewels have the ability to remove this suffering, you need to believe that the three jewels have the ability to remove this suffering. Believing in this, you take refuge. Taking refuge is a very important step. For example, when you get sick, in order to recover from the sickness, you need to seek help from a skilful doctor so that you will be cured. When we are hungry, we need food; when we are cold, we need warm clothes; when we walk, we need to depend on the walkway; on our daily life, we need the help of our guru; otherwise we will not be able to accomplish anything.
