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“When we take refuge in the Buddha, we express trust in our capacity to walk in the direction of beauty, truth, and deep understanding, based on our experience of the efficacy of the practice. When we take refuge in the Dharma, we enter the path of transformation, the path to end suffering.
When we take refuge in the Sangha, we focus our energies on building a community that dwells in mindfulness, harmony, and peace.” -Thich Nhat Hanh
It is a traditional Buddhist practice to begin the day or a retreat by taking refuge in the Three Jewels:
The Buddha (the guide)
The dharma (the teachings)
The sangha (the community of practitioners).
Ultimately, we take refuge in our capacity to be free and for all beings to be free.
Each morning at Dhamma Dena we take the refuges and precepts together. Joining us in saying these words in Pali is optional. We invite you to take the refugees if you feel it in your heart, or if you want to try it out and see.
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa (3x)
Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened Buddha
Buddham saranam gacchami I take refuge in the Buddha.
Dhammam saranam gacchami I take refuge in the Dhamma.
Sangham saranam gacchami I take refuge in the Sangha.
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami For the second time...
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami For the second time...
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami For the second time...
Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami For the third time...
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami For the third time...
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami For the third time...
As a dharma spiritual community, everyone who comes to retreat, work, or visit Dhamma Dena agrees to live by the Five Precepts while they are here. This practice of respect and caring puts us into a harmonious relationship with all life around us and is the foundation for the spiritual life. (“A Still Forest Pool”, p50)
I undertake the training to refrain from destroying living beings.
pānātipāta veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi.
I undertake the training to refrain from stealing or taking that which is not freely given.
adinnadāna veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi.
I undertake the training to refrain from sexual misconduct.
kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi.
I undertake the training to refrain from false speech.
musāvādā veramani sikkhāpadam samādayāmi.
I undertake the training to refrain from taking intoxicants, which cause carelessness and cloud the mind.
surā-meraya-majja-pamādatthāna veramani sikkhāpadam samādiyami.
May my conduct be the condition for the attainment of the highest fruits of Liberation.
idam me silam magga-phala-ñānassa paccayo hotu.
The Precepts can also be considered in their positives as:
Reverence for all life, care for all life
Generosity
True love, responsibility with sexual energy
Honest and caring speech. Deep listening.
Mindful nourishment and healing.