DDM Global News
Hundreds Take the Three Refuges at Nung Chan Monastery
To promote correct Buddhist views and introduce people to the compassionate path, Dharma Drum Mountain held a refuge-taking ceremony at Nung Chan Monastery, Taipei, at 2 pm on April 10, 2021. Following the lead of DDM abbot president Ven. Guo Huei, nearly 1,000 aspirants took refuge in the Three Jewels and received the Five Precepts amid recitation of the Three Refuge Verses, vowing to become formal Buddhists, for the benefit of self and others.During the chanting of Guanyin Bodhisattva's name, the monastics hung the Buddhist amulet around the refuge taker's neck as a blessing. Meanwhile, Ven. Guo Huei explained that taking the Three Refuges signifies returning to, and identifying with, the Three Jewels. From cradle to grave, we may sometimes feel confused and perplexed, not knowing how to calm and settle our minds. By accepting the Buddha's teaching and realizing the Buddhist concepts and methods of practice, we will naturally find shelter in the Buddha's wisdom and compassion.
Ven. Guo Huei encouraged devotees to learn the spirit of a bodhisattva, by developing the habit of recollecting and reciting the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva. He suggested that they can also engage in Buddhist practices such as prostrating to the Buddha, chanting mantras (dharanis), reciting sutras, and doing volunteer work for the Three Jewels. He urged them to take up the responsibility as a Buddhist: always remember to treat others with compassion and treat ourselves with wisdom. Furthermore, by helping people around us grow, we can bring peace, harmony, and stability to society and the world.
Gregory Aiani is an American practitioner who has lived in Taiwan for over 20 years. He started participating in group practice at the International Meditation Group after his retirement. He also attends online Dharma talks given by Master Sheng Yen's western Dharma heirs and works as a volunteer for IMG. Having benefitted from the Buddha's teaching, he now wants to become more devoted, by making the Three Jewels and the Five Precepts part of his life. Taking the Three Refuge Verses as a constant self-reminder, he hopes he can keep practicing and become a better individual, even after returning to America.There were also over a dozen elderly attendees, who became a spotlight in this ceremony. Tsai Mei-Ya, who works in a nursing home, said that these senior citizens had found the Buddhadharma beneficial through the weekly Buddha-name recitation session at the nursing home. They felt touched and very grateful to be able to take the refuge at Dharma Drum Mountain.
DDM has announced that there will be an online refuge-taking ceremony on April 18 presided by Ven. Guo Yuan, abbot of Dharma Drum Retreat Center. People are welcome to join the family of the Buddha and live a life of true happiness in the Buddhadharma.Text: Chang Tian-Pei (張田沛)
Photo: Lee Fan (李東陽), Chang Tian-Pei (張田沛)
Translation: Hsiao Chen-an
Editing: Chang Chia-Cheng (張家誠), Keith Brown