Today, seven of my students formally took Refuge vows, distinguishing themselves from “seekers” of the Dharma, and making the commitment to live as practitioners.
Edward Kunga Vantassel describes the act of taking Refuge vows as “the refinement of an impulse that is at the foundation of our being.” And indeed, I believe it is; because the Dharma path serves no other purpose, than to align our minds and actions toward the ultimate goal of relieving suffering – not only for ourselves, but among all sentient beings.
When one takes Refuge, they are orienting themselves toward alignment with the principles of the Dharma. Their commitment is really to themselves, not to any external beings or concepts. They take Refuge in their own Enlightened-nature (realising that they are already an enlightened being – a Buddha or a Christ – which has yet to reveal itself); they take Refuge in the Way - having determined rationally the Truth of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, committing to follow the Eight Dharma Gates; and they take Refuge in the Fellowship – realising that we are all ONE… that there is no “other”, no “them”, just “Us”.
Before taking their vows, each of these students spent considerable time (some, more than three years, others a little more than one year) exploring the value and sensibility of the Dharma of Compassion – as a philosophy – and integrating that into their spiritual practices. There were two nuns among those who took vows: one an Anglican Franciscan, and the other, a Roman Catholic. There was a married couple, and several college students. Each of them, through their own investigation and study, believe that the Dharma principles make sense – that their efficacy and simplicity are a useful approach to relieving suffering.
On the surface, these students took vows to align themselves with the Buddha (the Teacher), the Dharma (the Path) and the Sangha (the Fellowship); however, their deeper commitment, as Ani Pema Chodron explains, is to affirm: “a basic expression of [their] aspiration to leap out of [their] nest.”
As a result of their vows, which they reaffirm three times each day privately, theses seven students will begin to develop the altruistic mind, which we call Bodhicitta – which dedicates its actions, words and thoughts to relieving the suffering of others.
I think it is especially nice that they did this today, on a day when many people observe the secular and commercialised tradition of exchanging “Valentine’s” cards, gift, and copious amounts of chocolate. Instead of these superficial expressions, usually directed only at those to whom we are somehow attached, these seven people made a formal and public commitment to all of those beings who live, and who will one day live… a commitment of love, generosity, altruistic joy, compassion and kindness.
Tonight, I bow to them… and to you.
Namasté!
- dharmacharya gurudas śunyatananda
http://dharmadudeunplugged.com
If you’d like to know more about the Dharma of Compassion, please consider purchasing the book by the same name, online at: http://stores.lulu.com/dharmadude (Note: environmentally-friendly digital copies are also available from the same source.)
Copyright ©2008, Dharmacharya Gurudas Śunyatananda (Dr. F. Gianmichael Salvato). All rights reserved. This article may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire blog, including by-lines, contact information and this copyright remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.
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