I have not yet taken refuge formally – I look forward to it – sometimes the call is so strong, I wonder how silly or illogical it may look running to the nearest temple and asking it of the first robed person I see. I wouldn’t even know what to expect after. Anyway, I’m almost certain it isn’t done that way. So I can only do it in spirit and in waking meditation. I’m such, as some slang would put it, a n00b.
But I’ve been lucky in that, in addition to a supportive family, I’ve had good luck finding supportive online communities. So I took refuge online also. In the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy, there were a lot kind words to be found – Dailykos.com was as always filled with supportive, level-headed people, and it was there someone posted excerpts from Al Gore’s speech at the Columbine Memorial Service, and I was moved to tears. (And since I always have time to post asides of Al Gore, you know, my “boyfriend”: the town of Al Gore’s residence in Tennesee, has now finally given him the green light to put solar panels on his 70-year-old home. He’s gotta be excited.)
On the not-so-happy side, there were people who noticed that when the news said the shooter was “Asian”, there were online forums where people were convinced the shooter was Arab and Muslim, wondering if the news media were using “Asian” to describe a Middle Eastern. It was a little distressing to see that was happening. And to be honest (and it’s easier to admit it now), I totally understand and sympathize with the author of this article: In Aftermath of Va. Shooting, Ethnic Groups Prayed, “Let It Be Some Other Asian”. Hey, I’ve been an Asian foreign student in the US, I know the fear and know the prejudices and real dangers of racism that exist, not just on campuses but everywhere, even some in historically multiracial societies like Singapore. I truly hope people will refrain from committing more violence against Asians (or anyone) in the aftermath of the shooting. For lack of a better word, that’s so stupid. In Blacksburg, or truly anywhere in the world, we have suffering enough.
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April 19, 2007 at 1:05 pm
Ah Heng
I think if one takes refuge, it should ideally be with a teacher that one actually has a connection/relationship with.
During Vesak Day last year, I signed up at a Chinese Mahayana temple to take part in a ceremony in which one takes refuge in the Triple Jewels. It was a mass ceremony involving over a hundred devotees, and was conducted by a monk that I had never met prior to the ceremony. There was lots of bowing, accompanied by chanting and singing in arcane Chinese verses read from a book provided to us. It lasted for over an hour and I couldn’t help but feel bored and alienated by the impersonalism of the rituals. The high point of the whole ceremony was when it was announced that those who were only taking the refuges could go while those who were taking the precepts had to stay. Class dismissed!
If I had to conduct any refuge ceremonies, it would last fifteen minutes to half an hour and would involve one or just a few aspirants. It would be an informal and personal ceremony, in which the importance of the Triple Gems was explained and a short and sweet “I take refuge in the Buddha…the Dharma..the Sangha” from the aspirants would suffice.
April 20, 2007 at 5:28 am
zlyrica
Before taking the Refuge, you might want to consider attending these talks:
http://kmspks.org/events/refuge_qna.pdf
And a discussion on 5 precepts of Morality on 26 April : http://www.kmspks.org/youth/wsdpapr07.htm
There’s a Refuge taking ceremony on the 29 April and the talks are on 22 & 26 April.
If i’m not wrong, the Refuge taking in kmspks is in both chinese and english. Hope these are helpful
April 20, 2007 at 1:08 pm
singaporecityzen
Ah heng, I like your idea of a refuge ceremony.
The biggest thing is for me is for the ceremony to be in a language I can completely understand! I think half a Chinese-only ceremony would have gone over my head.
zlyrica! Useful links! THANK YOU!
April 26, 2007 at 7:31 am
Raymond Lam
Congratulations on your decision. Like any other meaningful decision it is not meant to be taken lightly, but it can be incredibly rewarding once you take the plunge and give it a go. I hope this marks a new milestone in your life.