Buddhists refer to lay people who take refuge. Lay Buddhists are Buddhists who are at home. Generally speaking, Buddhists at home are encouraged to keep as many precepts as they can. Keeping each precept will result in merit, but it is not a mandatory requirement. Unless you are determined to take the five precepts, you must do it. Master Hsing Yun taught that taking refuge does not mean becoming a monk or taking the precepts, but it does mean that you are willing to take refuge in the Three Jewels physically and mentally, and devote yourself to believing in the Three Jewels and protecting the Three Jewels. Don't change your beliefs.
The following is an article about the meaning of taking refuge for your reference:
The meaning of taking refuge
Taking refuge means "to take refuge" and "to rely on", and it also includes The meaning of relief and rescue. The Three Refuges refer to taking refuge in the Three Jewels, relying on the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. With the blessing and protection of the merits and virtues of the Three Jewels, one can stop the boundless wheel of suffering of life and death, stay away from all fear, and be protected and liberated from all sorrows. distressed.
People in the world can obtain material life by relying on the "treasures" of gold and silver; if they can rely on the "treasures" of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, they can obtain the stability of spiritual sublimation.
The book "The Way to Become a Buddha" says: "From the past to the present, from the present to the future, in the process of life after life, living beings rise and fall in the sea of ??suffering, and they urgently need to rely on the Three Jewels. Only by sailing can we reach the other shore. However, all sentient beings are ignorant and do not know how to take refuge. Some people know how to seek refuge, but mistakenly believe in evil teachers and heretics, or are even obsessed with worldly treasures, power, family members, life, etc., but they do not know that property is owned by the five families*. **Sometimes, if you encounter floods or fires, encounter thieves, evil kings, or give birth to unworthy children, your wealth will be lost in an instant, and your lofty power will also be lost. As recorded in the "Sutra of the King of Life": The wheel-turning king unites the four continents, ascends to the Trayast Heaven, and governs the heavenly palace with Emperor Shakti. Eventually, he will inevitably fall to the human world and die of sorrow. Once impermanence comes, he will also be separated. Furthermore, there are Death is inevitable in life, so life is not enough to rely on, and the country and society are always in chaos and are constantly changing. Therefore, these are not the ultimate refuge. Therefore, it is said that "seeking refuge everywhere, the Three Jewels are the most auspicious." "
Volume 34 of "Abhidharma Mahavipasha Lun" says: "People are driven by fear and take refuge in mountains, gardens, jungles, and solitary trees. This is Refuge is not victory, this refuge is not honorable. If you do not take refuge for this reason, you can be liberated from all sufferings. All beings can take refuge in the Buddha and the Dharma and the Sangha. They should always observe with wisdom in the Four Noble Truths, know the origin of suffering, and know that they will always transcend all suffering. Knowing the Eight-branched Noble Path leads to peaceful nirvana. This refuge is the most superior, and this refuge is the most noble. This refuge will surely liberate you from all suffering."
This refuge is based on deep faith and deep belief. The Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are indeed the true refuge, and we can obtain various merits and virtues from them. Knowing that the Three Jewels have such merits, we vow to be a disciple of the Buddha, believe in them, practice them, and seek the mighty virtues of the Three Jewels for their blessing and acceptance. Attribute your body and mind to the Three Jewels, and no longer believe in demons and heretics.
Volume 10 of "Mahayana Yi Zhang" says: "Returning to surrender, so it is called surrender. The appearance of returning to surrender is like a son returning to his father; the meaning of dependence is like the people relying on the king, and the timidity relying on the brave. ”
Generally speaking, conversion is faith. The hope is to receive external help and receive help from other forces. This is the religion of other forces. Buddhist conversion certainly has this meaning, but in addition, it is even more objectionable to foreign religions, because the deepest meaning of conversion is , the ultimate goal is to take refuge in one’s own mind and nature. This is the true meaning of refuge as the Buddha taught his disciples in his Nirvana session: "Rely on self, rely on Dharma, and rely on nothing else." This clearly shows that disciples should rely on their own strength, practice according to the true Dharma, and rely on their own Buddha nature to become a Buddha. Therefore, the true body of one's own body and mind is Dharma Nirvana. Being able to have this understanding is the true meaning of taking refuge.
Those who take refuge in the Three Jewels are like getting a panacea, which can cure the heart diseases of greed, hatred and delusion; like lamps, candles, stars and moon, they can guide us when we are lost; like a boat sailing on the sea of ??suffering, we can escape from the sea of ??life and death; like a poor man finding a treasure , can solemn our body and mind.
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