057-060 Regarding taking refuge (in Buddhism)

057 Regarding Taking Refuge (1)

What is the difference between taking refuge and not taking refuge?

Disciple asks: Venerable Master, is it necessary to take refuge to study Buddhism? What is the difference between taking refuge and not taking refuge?

Venerable Master Bao replies: Studying Buddhism does not require taking refuge, researching Buddhism does not require taking refuge, and praying to the Buddha does not require taking refuge. The Buddhist scriptures themselves do not explicitly state that one cannot practice Buddhism or chant mantras without taking refuge.

In the records of Avalokiteshvara’s manifestations and Tara’s manifestations, it can be seen that even those who were not originally Buddhists, when they encountered difficulties, prayed to Avalokiteshvara. Some were originally Hindus, and when they saw the image of Tara, they felt joy and prayed to Tara, and then received a response or blessings, etc.

When you have faith, even if you haven’t taken refuge, praying and chanting mantras still have power! Because the faith that arises at that moment leads to prayer, you will still receive blessings and responses, etc.

What is the difference between taking refuge and not taking refuge? Taking refuge means truly studying Buddhism. “Truly” means truly entering the path, becoming a disciple of Buddhism. If one has not taken refuge in Buddhism, they are not a genuine Buddhist; they are merely an observer, or they only study Buddhism as a philosophy or as a form of spiritual guidance. They are not bound by Buddhist precepts, and they do not receive the precepts themselves.

Buddhism takes precepts as its teacher and foundation. Buddhism compares precepts to the entire earth. If the earth did not exist, humanity would not exist either. Temporary merits, sometimes due to chance encounters or karmic relationships from past lives, may still occur even without taking refuge in Buddhism. However, all the merits of Buddhism are built upon the precepts. If you have the precepts and the precept body from taking refuge, you will receive the merits obtained through the precepts. Therefore, there is a difference between taking refuge and not taking refuge.

In terms of precepts, there is a difference between receiving the precept of not killing and simply not liking to kill. One is that you have this vow, this commitment, a commitment to the Three Jewels and to all sentient beings; the other is without a commitment, you refrain from killing, which is merely an inherent virtuous deed, without the specific restrictions of precepts, or the merit of having received precepts.

The Buddhist scriptures also mention that there is a hundred-thousand-fold difference between those who have received precepts and those who have not, when performing virtuous deeds. Reciting one Buddha’s name or reciting it a hundred thousand times yields the same merit. This means that if you have received the precepts, reciting one Buddha’s name brings immense merit; if you don’t have the precepts, although there is merit, the merit received is less. This is what we call the difference between having taken refuge and not having taken refuge.

Currently, the global Buddhist population is estimated to be between 300 and 400 million, with some estimates reaching 500 or 600 million – a significant difference. Why such a large discrepancy? One method uses a standard for counting, the so-called standard being the threshold of Buddhism—the refuge precepts! Those who have received the refuge precepts are considered Buddhists, and those who haven’t are considered non-Buddhists. Using this method, the Buddhist population is not very large, approximately 300 million.

Some people simply believe in Buddhism but haven’t received the refuge precepts, or they have dual faiths, believing in Christianity, Catholicism, and Buddhism; some believe in Hinduism and Buddhism; and many believe in Taoism and Buddhism. If we include those with dual faiths, the Buddhist population would be between 500 and 600 million, a difference of a factor of two.

Therefore, in terms of Buddhist precepts, there are differences in taking refuge, differences in merit, and differences in self-discipline.

058 Regarding Taking Refuge (2)

Can online refuge be taken?

Disciple asks: Venerable Master, can online refuge be taken?

Venerable Master Bao replies: At the request of some people, taking refuge and making vows don’t necessarily have to be online, but (during this pandemic) it is possible.

Those who have already taken refuge can receive the precepts again through a supplementary method, meaning that any transgressions after taking refuge can be confessed, and the pure precepts can be regained. If it is the first time taking refuge, then the refuge precepts are received. The refuge-taking stage requires great concentration and attention. The conditions for taking refuge are sincerity and faith in the Three Jewels. Faith is necessary, and then you need to recognize your identity and mission; all of these are needed.

Now, we will perform a simple ceremony for taking refuge. “Everyone, cultivate faith in the Three Jewels,” this is the key!

First, contemplate the merits of the Three Jewels and all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and the purpose of taking refuge. The purpose of Mahayana refuge is “to attain enlightenment for all sentient beings.” This is crucial, most important, and must not be forgotten!

Before you are the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, Shakyamuni Buddha. “For the sake of all sentient beings to escape samsara and attain enlightenment, we take refuge for all sentient beings.” Accept this with this mindset.

During online refuge-taking, the disciple receives the refuge precepts simultaneously with the transmission. If it is not received simultaneously, but viewed later through a recording, it does not count as receiving the precepts.

059 Regarding Refuge (3)

What if after taking refuge, I want to renounce worldly life and dislike worldly affairs?

Disciple asks: Venerable Master, since taking refuge, I strongly desire to renounce worldly life, I don’t want to work, and I dislike worldly affairs. What should I do?

Venerable Master Bao replies: This is not acceptable. This is the arising of renunciation due to receiving the blessings of the patriarchs. It’s very good to experience this renunciation for a period of time; it’s a sign of receiving blessings. However, worldly affairs still need to be completed. If worldly affairs are not completed, you still need to do them; you cannot abandon worldly affairs until retirement.

You still need to diligently perform worldly duties. Sometimes, even if you don’t want to work, you still have to.

060 Regarding Refuge (4)

Is taking refuge necessary for studying Buddhism?

Disciple asks: Venerable Master, is taking refuge necessary for studying Buddhism?

Venerable Master Bao replies: Before formally entering Buddhism, one can research, study, and meditate on Buddhist teachings… taking refuge is not necessarily required. However, to become a traditional Buddhist, one needs to take refuge.

After taking refuge, firstly, one cannot abandon the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), which are the source of spiritual support; secondly, one must not kill; the three refuges and five precepts are personal vows.

In short, wherever Buddhism goes, it enriches the local culture.