Date: Saturday, August 5th
Time: 7:00 pm PT
Bestowed by: H.E. Khöndung Avikrita Vajra Rinpoche
Taking refuge is the first step on the Buddhist path to enlightenment. Refuge is a ceremony during which a person formally becomes a Buddhist and receives a Dharma name. This differs from the passive refuge one receives at an initiation.
Registration is required – please fill out this form to register for Refuge and the optional Upasaka Vow:
https://forms.gle/Ag8FjYqVbg6AN59N8
The Upasaka Vow (optional):
In this specially requested program, Rinpoche will bestow refuge as well as the lay practitioner or “upasaka” vows. In this ceremony, attendees may choose to receive only the refuge vow or both refuge and the upasaka vows.
The commitment for the upasaka vows is to refrain from: 1) taking life, 2) taking that which is not given, 3) sexual misconduct, 4) wrong speech and 5) intoxicating drink and drugs. Although there are temporary vows that lay practitioners sometimes take for special observance days, the form of the upasaka vow being given by Rinpoche is considered a lifetime commitment.
Courses to take with Refuge:
It is strongly recommended that those who are interested in the Refuge Ceremony take the following courses.
The Significance of Refuge: Monday, July 24th at 7:30 pm PT
When you decide that Tibetan Buddhism is your spiritual path, it is time to take Refuge. We strongly recommend that you take this class before taking the Refuge ceremony. In this class, you will learn the true meaning of Refuge and the Three Jewels. The Refuge Ceremony will be explained so you can understand the meaning and relevance of the ceremony to you.
Recommended reading: Taking Refuge: A Teaching on Entering the Buddhist Path by Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche
Life After Refuge: Monday, August 14th at 7:30 pm PT
What do you do once you have taken refuge? To help with questions like these, we will be offering a regularly scheduled “Life After Refuge” discussion group. The aim is to hold informal discussions on beginning your new spiritual path. This will be scheduled during the week following a Refuge ceremony.