DDM Abbot President Venerable Guo Huei Went to Hong Kong to Transmit the Three Refuges and Five Precepts to Believers

Dharma Drum Mountain Hong Kong Centre held the "2023 Praying for Blessings and Refuge Taking Ceremony" at its venue in Lai Chi Kok on July 8. A total of 210 participants received the Three Refuges and Five Precepts. With the blessings of 60 witnessing family members and friends, the participants jointly vowed to take refuge in the Three Jewels-- the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha-- in front of the Buddha statue.

When explaining the meaning of the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, Abbot President Ven. Guo Huei mentioned that taking refuge means identifying, accepting, relying on and learning the Three Jewels. To believe and practice Buddhism, we must fully accept the Three Jewels, namely, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Only then can we say we are Buddhist disciples with righteous faith. Ven. Guo Huei encouraged the public not to kill, steal, commit adultery, lie, drink alcohol or take intoxicants, using the Five Precepts as the guiding principles of one's daily life. The Abbot President went on to state that, very often in our lives, we feel at a loss and don't know where to go. As long as we are willing to accept and practice Buddhism, we can find our direction and purpose in life.

After leading the assembly to repent and make vows together followed by transmitting the Three refuges and Five Precepts, the Abbot President explained to the refuge-takers that the Buddha pendant given to the participants has the image of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara on one side and Buddha Shakyamuni on the other. Its aim is to remind and encourage the public to learn from the compassion and wisdom of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The Abbot President also praised the participants for having great karmic blessings to be able to take refuge in Three Jewels. He observed that nowadays there are not many Buddhists who practice the true Dharma. Therefore, he encouraged Buddhist disciples to continue practicing and studying Buddhism after taking refuge and receiving precepts.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic in the past few years, DDM Hong Kong Centre was not able to invite the refuge-takers' family members and friends to witness the refuge ceremony. This year, however, the pandemic has finally eased. In addition to inviting the Abbot President to transmit the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts, the Center also welcomed the public to participate in the ceremony, so that, with the joyful witness of their relatives and friends, the refuge-takers can officially become Buddhists.

DDM Hong Kong Centre indicated that the Centre welcomes the refuge-takers back to the Center to actively participate in various meditation activities and Buddhist courses or devote themselves to social service. In doing so, they further the mutual study and propagation of Buddhism, thereby sharing Buddhism with others, and jointly building a Pure Land on earth.


Text: Shiwei Zhang (張詩偉)
Photo: Dharma Drum Mountain Hong Kong Centre (法鼓山香港道場)
Translation: Christina 
Editing: Keith Brown, YKL