Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple arranged a ceremony for Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem on the first day of January 2013. Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem means that you officially become a Buddhist and embrace the teachings of the Triple Gem. The Triple Gem encompasses of The Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.
More than a hundred people took refuge in the Triple Gem on 1 January 2013 and the group consisted of Easterners and Westerns alike, young and old and from all walks of life.
Venerable Yi Chun presented all those who were taking refuge with guidelines on becoming a Buddhist and explained the main guiding principles on living a virtuous life. She furthermore told a number of Ch’an (Zen) legends on how various deities and people have benefited from Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem, further directing the devotees on a path of wisdom and virtue.
The Abbot of Nan Hua Temple, Venerable Hui Fang presided over the ceremony and proceedings, which started with paying respect to the Buddhas and followed with the chanting of the Praise of the Incense Offering.
Chanting of Homage in Sakyamuni Buddha and the Heart Sutra followed after which the Abbott, Venerable Hui Fang, guided all through the taking of the Vows. Inviting the Triple Gem, repentance and receiving good Karma from Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem also formed part of the ceremony, which was followed by the teachings of the Abbot.
The Abbot discussed how Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem will benefit the lives of those upholding their vows and how, by living in accordance to your vows, will assist you in making the right decisions, helping other people and inviting Truth into your life.
The ceremony finished by the chanting of the Great Compassionate Mantra and The Transfer of Merits followed by the Abbot blessing all new devotees with holy water. Each devotee received beads that were blessed prior to the ceremony, a certificate of their commitment and their Dharma name, which was explained to them by various BLIA (Buddha’s Light International Association) volunteers and Venerable Jue Kai.
Written by Lee Raath-Brownie
Venerable Yi Chun presented all those who were taking refuge with guidelines on becoming a Buddhist and explained the main guiding principles on living a virtuous life. She furthermore told a number of Ch’an (Zen) legends on how various deities and people have benefited from Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem, further directing the devotees on a path of wisdom and virtue.
The Abbot of Nan Hua Temple, Venerable Hui Fang presided over the ceremony and proceedings, which started with paying respect to the Buddhas and followed with the chanting of the Praise of the Incense Offering.
Chanting of Homage in Sakyamuni Buddha and the Heart Sutra followed after which the Abbott, Venerable Hui Fang, guided all through the taking of the Vows. Inviting the Triple Gem, repentance and receiving good Karma from Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem also formed part of the ceremony, which was followed by the teachings of the Abbot.
The Abbot discussed how Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem will benefit the lives of those upholding their vows and how, by living in accordance to your vows, will assist you in making the right decisions, helping other people and inviting Truth into your life.
The ceremony finished by the chanting of the Great Compassionate Mantra and The Transfer of Merits followed by the Abbot blessing all new devotees with holy water. Each devotee received beads that were blessed prior to the ceremony, a certificate of their commitment and their Dharma name, which was explained to them by various BLIA (Buddha’s Light International Association) volunteers and Venerable Jue Kai.
Written by Lee Raath-Brownie
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