​180 Devotees in Hong Kong Took Refuge in the Three Jewels

On June 10^th, 2024, during the Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) Hong Kong Centre in Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, held the "Praying for Blessings and Refuge Taking Ceremony." The Centre invited the Abbot President of DDM, Venerable Guo Huei (果暉法師), to transmit precepts and give Dharma talks to 180 people. With the largest number of people participating in the refuge taking ceremony in Hong Kong Centre's history, everyone cherished the extraordinary opportunity to take refuge in the Three Jewels. 

DDM Abbot President, Ven. Guo Huei, began by explaining meaning of the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts. He explained that "taking refuge" refers to taking refuge in the Three Jewels of the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. "Taking refuge" connotes returning home, relying on, and recognizing. In our limited life span, we often feel lost and uneasy. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is like having guidelines in life, thereby allowing us to navigate our life forward like a boat with a compass. In addition to joy and peace, the benefit of taking refuge in the Three Jewels not only goes beyond present and future lives but also transcends all of worldly wealth. Abbot President reminded the precept takers of the importance of continuous learning. He also exhorted that taking refuge in the Three Jewels should denote our determination to embark on practicing Buddhadharma. With unwavering faith in the Dharma, it is also the responsibility of the disciples of the Three Jewels to emulate the compassion and wisdom of the Buddhas of the ten directions by neither being antagonistic towards others, nor entangling ourselves in vexation. 

Along with the Abbot President, the participants made the "Four Great Vows," in which they vowed to deliver innumerable sentient beings and the cut off all vexations. Afterwards, the Abbot President encouraged everyone to cultivate compassion and wisdom by reciting Buddhist scriptures, mantras, and the Buddha's name in their daily lives. In doing so, we can not only improve ourselves, but also let people around us feel such a sense of peace, compassion, and wisdom. Its resulting positive influence is helpful for building a harmonious family and social relationships.

With ripened causes and conditions, Tan Ka-ming (譚家明), who is used to supporting the Centre through volunteer service, was able to participate in the refuge taking ceremony this time. He was moved, sharing that the warmth of Venerable's loving care made him feel like coming home. He noted that after taking refuge, he will re-examine and contemplate himself, vowing to continue practicing diligently on the Bodhisattva path.

Li Jing-hung (李靜虹), a longtime volunteer at Buddhist temples, said that she deeply felt the joy and power that Buddhism can bring to the world, since the Buddhist teachings taught at DDM have helped her ease various worries. Therefore, she seized this rare opportunity to take refuge in the Three Jewels to mark the beginning of her journey on the path of spiritual cultivation.

Prior to the ceremony, the Abbot President had been invited to give the Dharma talk on "A World of Blessings" at the Hong Kong Centre on June 8^th, which was attended by 22 Buddhist devotees from Taiwan. During the Dharma talk, the Abbot President shared that there is a way out if there is Buddhadharma, as it offers the compassion and wisdom that can calm people's minds as well as the society as a whole. This is part of the benefit and function that Buddhadharma can bring. He pointed out that in addition to benefitting ourselves with Buddhist teachings, both Buddhist monastics and the laity should also vow to let more people gain access to its benefits.



Original Chinese text / DDM Hong Kong Centre
Photos / DDM Hong Kong Centre
Translation / Li Siang-ling
Editing / Keith Brown, YKL