The three formulas of refuge " in the three preious to Buddha DHARMA.VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH. Living in a multifaceted life, it is not an easy task for those who want to choose a path and map out a life full of meaning and peace. We are travelers standing at the crossroads, but we do not know where the roads will lead to in the end? Choosing a path to go to a lifetime, must be very wise to not regret in the future. But we have to choose for ourselves, don't ask for help, don't listen to anyone's instigation, because this is the path we go by ourselves, no one can replace us. Choose carefully will go, is the attitude of the wise; Close your eyes, let go or go there, be a fool, carry your whole life as a game. Wise people must look carefully, must consider thoroughly before they take a step on a path. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is indeed putting oneself on a path to the end. To the end of the road is our whole life. To do this, it is necessary to clearly understand, understand thoroughly, to develop the mind of taking refuge. Taking refuge is the direction for our whole life. If there is no understanding, then taking refuge loses all its meaning. II. Define Tam Quy says enough is taking refuge in the Three Jewels. The Three Jewels are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. Buddha refers to Shakyamuni Buddha, because he previously practiced enlightenment and became a Buddha. The Dharma is the teaching given by the Buddha that instructs the way of cultivation. Sangha are those who practice according to the precepts and righteous Dharma of the Buddha. Why is it called Buddha Bao? From being an ordinary person like us to become a real Buddha is a rare thing in this world. Therefore, in the sutras it is often said that the Buddha was born difficult to meet, like the Udumbara flower that blooms only once every thousand years. Because it is rarely encountered, it is said to be Precious. Moreover, he himself has escaped from samsara and enlightened to become a Buddha, and then brought that enlightenment to teach everyone to come out of samsara, which is the noblest thing in the world, so it is called Precious. What is called the Dharma? The rare Dharma of the world is taught by the Buddha, and it is difficult for listeners to understand and comprehend. But once understood, the application of cultivation can turn ordinary people into saints, such a dharma is more precious. The Dharma taught by the Buddha is the truth, no matter how much time passes, it still shines like a jewel. Those who are lost in the dark night, suddenly encountering the torch, are happy and sad, so are the practitioners who meet the true Dharma. People who are sunk in the ocean, see a boat coming to pick them up, happy and loving, and so are those who study the way who meet the true Dharma. That's why it is said, "Hundreds of thousands of eons are hard to find." What is called a Sangha? Sangha is only for a group of monks to follow the Buddha and live together in the spirit of the six points of reverent hatmony. Living in the spirit of Luc Hoa is a rare thing in this world. Because worldly people live in competition to win over lose with each other, never getting along. The six points of reverent harmony. The body is in harmony, the mouth is in harmony without arguing, the mind is in harmony and joy, the precepts are in harmony, understanding is reconciled, and benefits are shared. These six are the spirit of the Sangha. If someone has a round head and a square shirt but does not live according to the spirit of Luc Hoa, they are not called monks. Being in a group of four or more people, everyone living in harmony with the spirit of harmony is a very difficult thing to do. Therefore, a monk who lives according to the spirit of Luc Hoa is a precious thing in the world. Moreover, in their practice, they have alleviated their afflictions and achieved some peace and tranquility, and then led everyone to that peaceful place. That's why it's called Sangha. What is a Refuge? Quy is return, y is refuge. Returning to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha is called taking refuge in the Three Jewels. For a long time we have always chased after sensual pleasures, creating suffering karma, now when we wake up, we will definitely return to rely on the Three Jewels. Take the Three Jewels as a final destination, so as not to create more suffering karma, and then bring us peace in life. This is our conscious recollection, our vow to return. This awareness is the foundation of the wisdom castle, it is the first step on the way to the homeland of enlightenment. Laying this foundation firmly, the new castle of wisdom will last. That is the importance of the spirit of Refuge. III. Take refuge in the Three Jewels Outside The Buddha Dharma Sangha is the object for us to take refuge in. Vow to follow the path of the Buddha and take refuge in the Buddha. Determined to practice his teachings are also recorded in the scriptures as taking refuge in the Dharma. To follow the instructions of their practice is to take refuge in the Sangha. From here on, our lives take the Three Jewels as a model, aim straight ahead and move forward, without having to doubt and groping like in the past. We are the Pilot, the Three Jewels are the lighthouse. Just aim for the lighthouse and steer our lifeboat to the finish line. But in Buddhism, Buddhists decide to believe without hesitation, while the Sangha must be careful not to get it wrong. The Sangha is a group of monks living in accordance with the spirit of Luc Hoa, not an individual personality. If a monk takes refuge in Buddhists, he himself represents the group. Taking refuge in the Sangha is taking refuge with monks who live in accordance with the spirit of Luc Hoa, not just a monk who transmits the three rules to the five precepts. If the representative who transmitted the precepts can cultivate or not, the person receiving the dharma precepts has already taken refuge in the Sangha. When taking refuge in a monk, it means taking refuge in all the monks, if anyone lives in the right spirit of harmony. Buddhists have the right to learn from all the Sangha, should not be limited to their teacher. Yes, that is the true spirit of taking refuge in the Three Jewels outside. If the representative who transmitted the precepts can cultivate or not, the person receiving the dharma precepts has already taken refuge in the Sangha. When taking refuge in a monk, it means taking refuge in all the monks, if anyone lives in the right spirit of harmony. Buddhists have the right to learn from all the Sangha, should not be limited to their teacher. Yes, that is the true spirit of taking refuge in the Three Jewels outside. If the representative who transmitted the precepts can cultivate or not, the person receiving the dharma precepts has already taken refuge in the Sangha. When taking refuge in a monk, it means taking refuge in all the monks, if anyone lives in the right spirit of harmony. Buddhists have the right to learn from all the Sangha, should not be limited to their teacher. Yes, that is the true spirit of taking refuge in the Three Jewels outside. IV. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels Self-Mind Buddha Dharma must always be double-sided, the outer Three Jewels are the object, the inner Three Jewels are the essence. Taking care of the outer Three Jewels, we develop the Three Jewels of our own mind. Inward and outward reciprocity to perfect cultivation practice is the main goal of Buddhism. What is the self-centered TRIRATNA? The inherent awareness in us is the Buddha Treasure. Compassion and compassion to save sentient beings is the Dharma. The mind that is in harmony with everyone is Tang Bao. Thanks to the external Buddha Treasure, we awaken our awareness, return to rely on our awareness, which is taking refuge in the Buddha. Thanks to the outer Dharma Jewel, we arouse compassion for sentient beings, and return to take refuge with our compassion, which is the Dharma Refuge. Because the monks outside remind us to have a spirit of pure harmony, to return to our pure harmony is to take refuge in the Sangha. The outer Buddha Dharma Sangha is a helper to help us generate the Buddha Dharma Sangha of our own mind. For example, a teacher acts as an assistant for a student to expand his knowledge. If there is an industrious teacher, but a lazy student refuses to learn, the teacher also becomes useless. Likewise, having the outer Three Jewels, the Buddhist does not try to awaken his own Three Jewels, the outer Three Jewels also become meaningless. The outer Three Jewels are an essential good condition for Buddhists, but attaining enlightenment and liberation is the ability of the Three Jewels of the mind. Only knowing that there are Three Jewels outside is the deacon. A person who believes in the Three Jewels of his own mind and does not need to know the Three Jewels from the outside is to accept it. V. The Rite of Refuge. The main focus in the ceremony of taking refuge, is when Buddhists kneel in front of the Three Jewels, three times make a vow: "Disciples ... please take refuge in the Buddha for life, take refuge in the Dharma, and take refuge in the Sangha". This vow comes from the bottom of the Buddhist heart, not by any compulsion. Three times of making such a vow is to sow the seed deep into the store consciousness, making it eternal. This is voluntary spirit. The ceremonial form only adds a significant impact to that moment of vow. When we are awake and willing to follow the Three Jewels, our life will be beneficial. If on the path of cultivation there is a time when we are covered by ignorance and do not remember the Three Jewels, we will suffer a loss. Buddhism does not force us to take heavy oaths so as not to give up the religion. Treasures for people, if they agree to accept the word, they will get benefits, if they don't accept it, it's okay, what is required. Unless there is a consequential meaning, it is mandatory to take heavy oaths to not give up. Those who understand this place will see the true value of Buddhism. All the coercive temptation to follow the religion, Buddhists completely oppose. Each person is clearly self-aware of Buddhism and then develops his mind to it, which is the true Buddhist spirit. Understanding and then following is the right action with the spirit of enlightenment. Using magic or miracles to lure people into religion is superstition. Using all rights to entice people into the religion, that is seducing fools, is not in accordance with the spirit of enlightenment. We have a duty to explain to others to understand that taking refuge is a true missionary. The formal ceremony in the refuge ceremony, is just a condition for our vows to be fully fulfilled. This ritual does not mean that Buddha will bless us for a lifetime of peace. BECAUSE. Affirming the Position After taking refuge in the Three Jewels, we clearly affirm our stance: "Take refuge in the Buddha, not take refuge in Gods, Gods, Demons, and Animals" . We have carefully identified the will to follow the Buddha as the enlightened one, there is no reason to follow Gods, Gods, Demons, and Animals. Because Gods, Gods, Demons, and Animals are still unenlightened and are reincarnated like us. But there are also some Buddhists who have taken refuge in the Buddha, but still run after ghosts and spirits. These people, out of greed for profit, because they love mysteries, have gone the wrong way of the Buddhadharma. Even because of their superstition, they revert to respecting ghosts and gods more than Buddha. This is an evil phenomenon for indifferent guests to criticize Buddhism. "Take refuge in Dharma, do not take refuge in pagan religions". The Buddha's Dharma is the truth, helping sentient beings in a practical way, like a doctor to a patient. Understanding this truth, why do we follow pagan heresy? We claim to love the truth, wish for practical relief from suffering, and pagan heretics can still attract us. Only those who have to listen to that wish will have such unreasonable changes. Even if there are sacred foreign spells to get whatever we want, we should not be greedy to follow them. Or there are miraculous spiritual remedies that can cure any disease, a true Buddhist would rather die than beg. This body has been well kept, and eventually decays, lost in the path of the evil kalpa that is difficult to get out of. "Take refuge in the Sangha, do not take refuge in evil friends . " We have chosen virtuous people to follow, bringing our lives closer to virtue. Evil friends against people who know the way should be avoided. Because "near ink, it's black, near the lamp, it's bright" or "near fishy things, we get bad breath, near fragrant things, we smell good". So we must have the courage to follow the path we have chosen, even if we are scorned and insulted, we will still go. Because we are not blind people, but we have to leave the good near the bad. Having a clear stance is someone with a strong will. If a cultivator lacks this will, he is easily swayed by the wind. VII. Conclude Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is the foundation of the building of enlightenment, the first step on the ladder of liberation, the first steps on the road to the birthless homeland. In order for a building to be strong, a solid foundation is required. Need to cross the ladder of liberation, the first step must be steady. Like the peace of the birthless homeland, the first steps on the way back must go right. Without the foundation of the Tam Quy, the building of enlightenment cannot be built. Without the first step, it is difficult for anyone to climb the ladder of liberation. The first steps on the way home were wrong, hundreds of thousands of steps later, the more you go, the more wrong you are. Therefore, taking refuge in the Triple Gem is of great importance. Everyone who wants to come to Buddhism must enter from the refuge door, otherwise, learning Buddhism will lose its foundation. Because it plays such an important role, Buddhists must be careful in taking the vows of refuge. Don't be for refuge for blessings, for healing from illness, for Buddha's blessing through calamities ..., are all reasons of superstition, contrary to the voluntary spirit of Buddhism.END=NAMO SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).GOLDEN AMITABHA MONASTERY=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH.AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.20/6/2021.