600 People Take Refuge in the Three Jewels with DDM Abbot President Ven. Guo Huei

On September 7 at 4:00 PM, nearly 600 people gathered at the Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education. There, under the guidance and explanation of Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) Abbot President Venerable Guo Huei (果暉法師), they made the vow to take refuge in the Three Jewels — the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. They also pledged to uphold the Five Precepts-- the foundational ethical guidelines of Buddhism-- and officially received certification as disciples of the Buddha.

In his Dharma talk in the Grand Buddha hall, the Abbot President explained that "taking refuge" means returning to one's original nature of the mind. That is, taking refuge means to rediscover our original face by following the guidance of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. During the refuge-taking ceremony, participants engaged in repentance and received the three refuges, vowing to cultivate a pure body and mind while learning and practicing the Dharma alongside a community of correct Buddhist belief. In doing so, refuge takers bring forth their innate compassion and wisdom, thereby helping to improve the environment and eliminate inner afflictions.

After formally transmitting the Three Refuges and Five Precepts, the Abbot President led the participants in dedicating the merit of the ceremony to all sentient beings, wishing them freedom from suffering and attainment of happiness. He also encouraged all those who have taken refuge in the Three Jewels to actively participate in the activities and courses offered by Dharma Drum Mountain, in addition to contributing to the purification of minds and society according to their conditions, abilities, and capacities. The Abbot President emphasized that learning to use the Dharma to help oneself and others improve the quality of life is the true practice of building a Pure Land on Earth.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the DDM World Center for Buddhist Education, many visitors were deeply moved by the ideal of Master Sheng Yen, who advocated for "uplifting the character of humanity and building a Pure Land on Earth" as well as the serene environment of the Center. Inspired by guided tours and meditation experiences while visiting the Center, many signed up for this refuge-taking ceremony to embark on the path of learning the Buddha's teachings.
Cheng Yu-Ching (鄭羽晴), who invited over 30 family members, friends, and colleagues to take refuge together, shared that she had visited DDM World Center for Buddhist Education many times and was especially drawn to its simplicity and the general tone of discipline and spiritual ethos within the monastic community. After attending the Emperor Liang Repentance Ceremony at Nung Chan Monastery last month, she heard a Dharma talk that said, "live fully in each moment, with clarity and awareness." It deeply resonated with her heart, so she seized the opportunity to fulfill her long-held wish to take refuge.

Her companion, Tsao Ling-Hui (曹凌慧), shared how she used to work as a nurse in the ICU and was emotionally affected by the realities of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Over time, she came to realize that religious faith is an essential source of spiritual support. This time, she also invited her mother and two children to take refuge together, hoping that the Buddha's teachings can help improve family communication and foster growth.

Dharma Drum Mountain stated that any member of the public aged six and above who has not previously taken refuge at DDM is welcome to register and participate in the "Praying for Blessings and Refuge Taking Ceremony" held at various DDM branch monasteries and centers around the world.


Original text in Chinese: 張曜鐘 
Photos: 張曜鐘、傅莉嫻
Translation: Patricia Yang 
Editing: Keith Brown