Claire, a question. A member of my family is becoming interested in Buddhism and thinking of possibly taking refuge at some point. Is it essential, in order to validly pronounce the vows, to take refuge with a master, as I did and as most people obviously do? Might it be possible to take refuge "privately", by reciting the refuge prayers, not in the presence of a teacher, but with friends or even alone?
That's a great question, Laura. Of course, if it's not possible to take refuge with a teacher, they could visualize a buddha or teacher they respect and recite the refuge verses that way. But part of what's special about taking refuge is that - at least in theory - the person you take refuge with took refuge with their teacher all the way back to the Buddha in an unbroken lineage. It's like you're receiving a living transmission. So I'd say that's the most compelling reason to take refuge with an actual teacher, but obviously if someone doesn't have the opportunity or feels uncomfortable with that, it's better to take refuge internally than not at all.
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Claire, a question. A member of my family is becoming interested in Buddhism and thinking of possibly taking refuge at some point. Is it essential, in order to validly pronounce the vows, to take refuge with a master, as I did and as most people obviously do? Might it be possible to take refuge "privately", by reciting the refuge prayers, not in the presence of a teacher, but with friends or even alone?
That's a great question, Laura. Of course, if it's not possible to take refuge with a teacher, they could visualize a buddha or teacher they respect and recite the refuge verses that way.
But part of what's special about taking refuge is that - at least in theory - the person you take refuge with took refuge with their teacher all the way back to the Buddha in an unbroken lineage. It's like you're receiving a living transmission.
So I'd say that's the most compelling reason to take refuge with an actual teacher, but obviously if someone doesn't have the opportunity or feels uncomfortable with that, it's better to take refuge internally than not at all.
@@ClaireVillarreal Thank you, great answer.