Taking the Refuge

A year ago, taken my Refuge and precepts. I still remember the me then, fascinated by the profound wisdom in Buddhism, yet full of compassion. The young me, with mind full of passion for the vast wisdom decided to embark of the path. Very much clueless of what to do. The ritual was just another significant milestones in my life.

I was born in a "unclear" Buddhist family. My mum took the Refuge since young while my Dad took it recently, and before then was a devoted Taoist. Both followed Buddha more towards pursuing health and peace in the family. My siblings are a "part time" Christian and another is a self/science believer. I spent most of my childhood in a Catholic mission school and running around churches. Taking this ceremony a year ago was a bold move to me. To me then was more like a self recognition move.

A year has passed and I would say learned a great deal, in Buddhism and in life. Foster great synergy with Buddhist of all walks of life including my dentist :0) But entering the Buddhist gate reveals a even greater pasture and yet more challenges for me, and definitely more touching moments.

The ceremony to me is of even greater significant now. A moment to align the path with teachings of Buddha. Buddhism for me now is not just acquiring wisdom but to walk the wisdom. I know I have a lot more to learn and a lot more to render my service in, and importantly the service to myself.

Baptism for Christian and most God believers might mean accept the Gods into their life and do as according to what the God told them, for God is almightly and going along means salvations and recognition by him. I would say its a more external aspect.

In sociological point of view, an initiating ceremony is a symbol of accepting and to be accepted by the religious community.

Yet in a year passed, taking Refuge I feel is less to external expressionism but internal recognition. A more to self awareness than to be accepted by the rest. Walking the Buddhist path is not about attending Sunday Schools or to be in favor of the Gods. Making sure no harm bestowed on to us.

Buddhism to me is the every moment of self awareness towards recognition of thoughts when interacting with the external environment, thus uncovering our Bodhicitta. Of course Buddhism is far more than that. But inability to recognize one self and sees oneself, is just like admiring the scenery outside the window, yet fails to recognize the deco of the room. And yet the house is where we are situated in.

Below is some links to lead to Youtube on the ethics and practises of taking the Refuge and precepts ceremony :)

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%E4%BD%9B%E9%97%A8%E7%A4%BC%E4%BB%AA&search_type=&aq=f