Introduction:
 

GTMC regularly organizes the Buddhist Initiation ceremony of Taking Refuge and Receiving Precepts. These significant events often occur during the Buddha Birthday Celebration, typically in May, or at the Ullambana Celebration, which is Honoring Parents Day, usually in August.
 

The First Steps to Becoming a Lay-Buddhist

When a practitioner wishes to become a Lay-Buddhist, the journey begins with taking the Threefold Refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, followed by receiving the Five Precepts. This tradition has been practiced since the time of the Buddha and remains foundational in Buddhist communities.
 

More Information on Taking Refuge and Receiving the Five Precepts or the Five Mindfulness Training

Below are extracts from Buddhanet website that provide additional details about the significance of Taking Refuge and Receiving the Five Precepts.
 

Reasons for Taking Refuge

Careful observation of the world reveals the pain, suffering, and frustrations experienced by sentient beings. A Buddhist seeks to end these conditions, much like a traveler caught in a storm searching for shelter. Upon finding safety, the traveler calls out to others to join him. In the same way, a person chooses to become a Buddhist when they understand the Buddha’s teachings and how the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha offer a path to end suffering. Compassion motivates them to encourage others to also take refuge.

 

The Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha are known as the Triple Gem, representing qualities that are excellent and precious. Once a person recognizes these qualities and is confident that the Triple Gem can lead to happiness and Enlightenment, they take refuge. This decision is made not out of blind faith, but with an open mind and a spirit of inquiry, similar to a scientist who begins research when convinced of positive results.
 

The Buddha

The word Buddha means the “Fully Enlightened One” or “Awakened One.” This title is given to those who have attained supreme Enlightenment. Buddhists see the Buddha as the embodiment of the highest morality, deepest concentration, and perfect wisdom. The Buddha is also called the “Perfected One” because he has eliminated desire, ill will, ignorance, and unwholesome actions, ending suffering and the cycle of birth and death.

 

The Buddha’s wisdom allows him to see things as they truly are, distinguishing what is good and not good for all beings. Out of compassion, he shows the path to the end of suffering. His exemplary conduct, perfect wisdom, and compassion make him an excellent teacher, skillfully reaching out to all followers to help them understand his teachings.
 

The Dharma

The Buddha taught the Dharma out of compassion for sentient beings suffering in the cycle of birth and death. The Dharma is well-taught, pure, and bright like a light that dispels ignorance. Studying and practicing the Dharma brings benefits both now and in the future.

 

The Dharma contains teachings about the nature of life and is found in the three collections of scriptures known as the Tripitaka or “Three Baskets.” These are the Discourses (Sutra Pitaka), the Rules Governing the Discipline of the monastic community (Vinaya Pitaka), and the Philosophy and Psychology of Buddhism (Abhidharma Pitaka).

 

Buddhists learn about the Dharma by reading scriptures and studying the writings and explanations of qualified Buddhist teachers. Once familiar with the Dharma, practitioners realize its truth by practicing it—purifying conduct and cultivating mental development until the teachings become part of their own experience.
 

The Sangha

The Sangha, in whom Buddhists take refuge, is the community of Noble Ones who have lived exemplary lives and gained profound insight into reality. Their achievements demonstrate the possibility of progressing toward Enlightenment.

 

More broadly, the Sangha refers to the fourfold community: monks, nuns, male lay followers, and female lay followers. Monks and nuns are respected for their good conduct, meditation experience, diligence, mindfulness, and ability to teach the Dharma. Lay followers accept the Four Noble Truths and other Buddhist teachings, seeking happiness and Enlightenment as their common goal. They uphold moral values, such as avoiding harm to others, and support each other in times of need.

Analogy of a Journey

The idea of taking refuge can be understood through the analogy of a traveler journeying to a distant city. The traveler needs a guide, a path, and companions. Similarly, a Buddhist pursuing happiness and Enlightenment sees the Buddha as the guide, the Dharma as the path, and the Sangha as companions.

 

The Buddha, having attained Enlightenment, guides practitioners toward that goal. The Dharma is a well-laid path, providing rules of Good Conduct and techniques for Mental Development to overcome distractions, ignorance, and suffering. The Sangha offers companionship, care, advice, and encouragement, helping the lay follower continue on the journey to Enlightenment.
 

The Three Refuge Chant

Buddham saranam gacchami -- (I go for refuge to the Buddha);

Dhammam saranam gacchami – (I go for refuge to the Dhamma);

Sangham saranam gacchami – (I go for refuge to the Sangha).
 

The Five Precepts

Buddhist ethical and moral principles are based on evaluating whether actions—of body or speech—are likely to be harmful to oneself or others and then avoiding those actions. Buddhism emphasizes a skillful mind, which avoids actions that cause suffering or remorse.
 

Moral conduct differs between lay Buddhists and the Sangha. Lay Buddhists train in the “Five Precepts,” which are not commandments but training rules. Breaking a precept calls for awareness and reflection on how to avoid future breaches. The consequences of actions (karma) depend on intention more than the action itself, resulting in less guilt than in some other traditions. Buddhism stresses the importance of mental calm and the avoidance of remorse, anxiety, and guilt to cultivate a peaceful mind.

• No killing: Train to avoid taking the life of beings. This applies to all living beings, not just humans, respecting their right to life.

• No stealing: Train to avoid taking things not given. Beyond stealing, avoid taking anything unless it is meant for you.

• No sensual misconduct: Train to avoid sensual misconduct. This includes not only sexual misconduct but also any overindulgence in sensual pleasures such as gluttony.

• No false speech: Train to refrain from false speech. These covers lying, deceiving, slander, and speech not beneficial to others.

• No intoxicants: Train to abstain from substances that cause intoxication and heedlessness. Indulgence in such substances can lead to breaking the other four precepts.

Further Reading

Going for Refuge & Taking the Precepts by Bhikkhu Bodhi (http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/wheel282.html)

*For more information or would like to go through the Buddhist Initiation Process, please contact GTMC at giactamcommunity@gmail.com