593 People Took Refuge in the Three Jewels at DDM

On September 8^th, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) World Center for Buddhist Education held the "2024 Praying for Blessings and Refuge Taking Ceremony," where Ven. Guo Huei (果暉法師), the Abbot President of DDM, transmitted the Three Refuges and Five Precepts to 593 people. Amidst the chanting of Guanyin Bodhisattva's name, the monastics presented refuge takers with the Buddha pendants. Nearly one thousand family members and friends of the refuge takers from all over the world, along with volunteers and monastics, expressed their wishes for the new refuge takers. Meanwhile, everyone prayed for peace and happiness in the world.

During the ceremony, Ven. Guo Huei expounded on the meaning of the Three Refuges and Five Precepts. He also explained that "taking refuge" means becoming a disciple of all Buddhas, all Dharma, and all Sangha by taking refuge in the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is like having guidance and hope while wandering on the vast ocean; as long as we follow the teachings of buddhas and bodhisattvas to learn the spirit of compassion and wisdom in the Buddhadharma, we can benefit ourselves and others lifetime after lifetime. 

Ven. Guo Huei led the participants to recite the Four Great Vows; namely, vowing to deliver innumerable sentient beings, cut off endless vexations, master limitless approaches of the Dharma, and attain Supreme Buddhahood. He also encouraged everyone to draw close to places that propagate the Dharma after taking refuge, familiarizing their physical, verbal, and mental actions with the Dharma and further applying the compassion and wisdom of Buddhist teachings in their daily lives. Moreover, he reminded participants that, in order to be positive influence to others, one must uplift one's own character first. Since DDM has affiliates all over the world, people can visit the Dharma centers near them to calm their body and mind by learning and applying Buddhist teachings, thereby receiving the benefits of Buddhadharma.

Since the completion of Lotus Bell in 2006, Lin Ching-siang (林慶祥) has been volunteering at DDM's dining hall for 18 years. He said that when he volunteers, he can leave his worries behind by focusing on the present moment. Moreover, he finds it enjoyable to work with other volunteers. This time, serving as a volunteer at the Ceremony, he felt joyful about helping people fulfill their wishes to take refuge. 

Li Dong-ning (李東寧), a refuge taker, shared that he came to know DDM more than 10 years ago, when he had his father's ashes buried in the Jinshan Eco-friendly Memorial Garden. He participates in group meditation in Yilan, which is close to his place. His brother and sister-in-law also volunteer at DDM. Since his family and friends have taken refuge in recent years, he and his friends came to take refuge today. 

Tsai Ming-huang (蔡銘煌), together with his wife, Yang Shiou-wen (楊琇文), and their three children, the family of five became Buddhist disciples today. Tsai shared that he often watches the videos of Master Sheng Yen's Dharma talks as guidance for his practice. He and his wife have been vegetarians for many years. In addition to reciting Buddhist scriptures as their regular practice, they often share with each other their reflections about Buddhist teachings. Every year, during the Lunar New Year or long weekends, the Tsai family would visit DDM in Jinshan to pay homage to the Buddha. He rejoiced that they could register and take refuge together today.

Original Chinese text / Fu Li-xian (傅莉嫻)
Photos / Fan Lee (李東陽), Fu Li-xian (傅莉嫻) 
Translation / Li Siang-ling
Editing / Keith Brown, YKL