Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem Ceremony at Fo Guang Shan

Due to popular demand, three “Taking Refuge in The Triple Gem” Ceremonies were held at the temple in March, August and now on the 1st day of November. This year there were 270 refuge takers including people of Chinese, Caucasian and Maori descent. In many cases it was whole families take refuge together.

Prior to the Refuge Ceremony, a Medicine Buddha Dharma Function was held, where 41 devotees of different nationality chanted the “Medicine Buddha Sutra”, paid homage and recited the Buddha’s name. Follow the sounds of chanting, the Presiding Minister Venerable Abbess Manshin proceeded to lead the Refuge Takers to chant: “I take Refuge in Buddha, where life after life I shall not take refuge in externalists and celestial demons; I take Refuge in Dharma, where life after life I shall not take Refuge in externalist and demonic teachings; I take Refuge in Sangha, where life after life I shall not follow the ways of externalist and demonic disciples” Therefore proclaiming one’s commitment to become a Buddhist disciple.

Using Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s quote of “Taking Refuge is find oneself, to illuminate the mind’s light and cultivate the mind’s fertile field.” As example, the Abbess reminded everyone to practice Humanistic Buddhism by doing good deeds, say good words and keep good thoughts. This will increase positive and pure seeds within the 8th Consciousness, so we can bring this “take away” wealth with us life after life. Buddhist practitioners are likes rays of shining light in the Saha World, bringing the warmth of light to families, friends and all sentient beings, not unlike lights offered to the Medicine Buddha. The Abbess also shared with everyone her experience of attending the 4th International Buddhist Conference and the 2015 BLIA International AGM.

Ms Xuzhi Wei; once a hospitality volunteer from Buddha memorial centre in Taiwan, recently came to New Zealand for work experience. With this opportunity to Take Refuge, she eagerly exclaimed “Now it’s my chance!” for she has considered this for a long time and now in New Zealand the conditions are finally ripe! Her mother also sent her congratulations for this endeavour from Taiwan.

Due to the influence of his Buddhist wife Lishang Zi, Mr Yeguo Quan took refuge with his 5 year old son. Despite not believing in Buddhism in the beginning and then gradually reading Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s books, he was astonished at his feeling of fulfilment that he was moved to tear during the ceremony. His son Yeyong Cheng loves reading stories of monks on the book “stone soup” and loves drawing pictures of Buddhas. Following mum to the temple, he actually prefers Dharma Functions over children’s Buddhism class. During this Refuge Taking Ceremony he was the centre of attention with his custom made miniature Hai Qing.