57. The Benefit of Taking Refuge
Longchen Nyingtik Meditation 57
The Beginning
Take refuge and arouse bodhichitta.
The Main Part
Meditate: If you look for refuge in worldly gods, be aware that the gods, in fact, are also roaming in samsara themselves, and thus are unfit as a reliable refuge. In addition, with their capricious minds, they often act in ways harming sentient beings. Therefore, how can they be entrusted as your protector and reliance?
Instead, we must go for refuge to the Three Jewels, through which we plant the seed of liberation, abandon negative actions, and boost positive ones. Taking refuge is the foundation of all precepts, the source of all virtues.
Having taken refuge in the Three Jewels, we will be granted protection by beneficial gods and the guardians of the Dharma, and our wishes and aspirations will be fulfilled. Through this auspicious connection, we can recall past lives, and never will be separated from the light of Dharma. Temporarily, we’ll enjoy happiness in this and future lives; ultimately, we’ll attain buddhahood. In all, taking refuge comes with it many incredible benefits and merits.
Reminder
We must always remember to take refuge in the Three Jewels, our minds are occupied with the qualities of the Three Jewels and our lips are constantly reciting the refuge prayers. Similar to guru yoga practice, taking refuge does not end after 100,000 prayer recitations; rather, it is an ongoing daily practice. A genuine Dharma practitioner will never part from the presence of the Three Jewels in all the activities of walking, sitting, moving, or lying down.
The Ending
Dedicate all the merit of your practice to all sentient beings.
