Monday, 04/20/2026
The 3rd Three-Jewel Refuge Ceremony in 2023
Update: 12/11/2023
0:00
/
4:19
Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is extremely important, marking the time a person officially becomes a Buddhist. From now, all attendees have entered a Dharma house, getting a good spiritual path for their life. Therefore, the Refuge Ceremony was held very seriously and took place all day.
After registering in the morning, participants came to the lecture halls to learn right demeanor when coming to the pagoda, such as the manner of clasping their hands, greeting, prostrating, etc,... . these are very necessary and important rules, because not everyone has also conditions to learn these rules. Next, Junior Thich Tam Truong explained thoroughly the purpose, meaning of Three Refuge and Five precepts, the necessary knowledge to become a Buddhist.
In the afternoon, the ceremony officially took place under the witness of all Sangha at the pagoda. From beginningless eons, drifting in six realms, covered by ignorance, no one avoids making mistakes and sinful things; therefore, each of us should recognize our mistakes and vow not to repeat them. On this occasion, the Master created conditions for the disciples to repent and help purify three karmas before entering the sacred moment, officially becoming a Buddhist. On behalf of pagoda monks, Most Thich Chan Tinh transferred Three refuge and Five Precepts for all attendees. Next, he had some instruction, and encouragement words to new Buddhists.
The Buddha taught that it is difficult to attain a human body, but to meet Buddha Dharma and take refuge is more difficult. If there are not enough causes and blessings, sentient beings falling into the three evil paths will not be able to hear the Buddha's teachings, and will not have enough wisdom to recognize what is right - what is wrong, what is good - what is evil ... now, we are fortunate to be able to become a human being, have enough wisdom to recognize right - wrong, good - bad. No god, or saint blesses - harms anyone; disaster - blessing is caused by each person's cause and effect; sowing the cause, and also picking the fruit by himself. Whether we will be born in a good realm or fall into an evil realm is up to us to decide.
People often have the concept that "any religion is good"; we need to look back at the historical periods, whether this is true or not? The Master pointed out the historical evidence of religious persecutions by various stages in a number of countries including Vietnam. In order to propagate and attract followers, some religions have tried to suppress by force, doing persecutions, monk massacres, Buddhist followers in particular and non-religious people in general. Thus, we need to have the right view, be clear, have the right opinion before the temptations and the forces of paganism, firmly on the noble path towards the truth.
Taking refuge in the Three Jewels with good conditions, each person should try to arrange time to go to the temple during Buddhist holidays, days of practice, repentance, listening to Dharma, practicing vegetarianism, keeping precepts, and practicing Buddha's teachings, in which build a happy family, a world of peace without war.
All worldly materials: wealth, property, spouses, children, etc, cannot be carried with us, life is impermanent, only good or evil karma follows us from this life to the next. As a wise disciple of Buddha, one must understand clearly; from there, diligently practice to have a peaceful and happy life; the future will not fall into three-path evil, then be reborn in a peaceful realm.
The ceremony ended in joy for everyone. Before leaving the temple, Buddhists were given books, such as: A brief Introduction of Hoang Phap monastery, Summary of the story of Shakyamuni Buddha, Lessons for Buddhists, Buddha Dharma Saving My Destiny, Three Refuge-Five Precepts.
Some images recorded:
