Second Seminar for Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem

A second seminar was organised for those who have recently took refuge in the Triple Gem on 22nd November, where Venerable Manshin explained the meaning of the Triple Gem and how apply the theory to our daily practice of Buddhism. This event was attended by 40 members including 5 of English back ground.

“Triple Gem is the term to represent Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, which implies they are the treasured gems of the Dharma body and wisdom life. But what is the Dharma body and wisdom life? How do we manage them?”
The Abbess started by explaining the concept of “consciousness”, where it is “the true owner that leaves last and arrives first” If a person always do good deeds, speak good words and have good thoughts then their Alaya Consciousness will be wholesome and life’s quality will subsequently improve. She continued by emphasising the importance of the Triple Gem by taking lines from the “Mahayana Uttaratantra Sastra” to describe Triple Gem as possessing the qualities of rarity, able to turn away from defilement, power, able to adorn, unchanging and the most supreme.

Furthermore some common questions regarding taking Refuge in the Triple Gem were explained, which were:
• Upon taking Refuge do you need to become a vegetarian?
• Upon taking Refuge are you still allowed to worship your ancestors and deities of folk religions?
• Is taking Refuge only for a temporary period of time?
• Is one only taking Refuge under particular Venerable Master?

The concluding statement is that the real importance of Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem is ensure we can maintain right views and understanding, to deeply believe in cause and effect, to cease all evil and diligently cultivate wholesome deeds.

Another seminar will be organised for next week to teach everyone about how to “Observe the 5 Precepts”