Great Master Yinguang on Taking the Three Refuges
September 4, 2012 One must be aware that Taking the Three Refuges is to return to and rely on the three jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. It is not to return to and rely on an individual. For example, all of you are Taking the Three Refuges today; I am simply here to represent the three jewels to certify that you take the Three Refuges. You are not returning to and relying on me.
Many monastic and laypersons misunderstand the meaning of Taking the Three Refuges. A layperson often says that I return to and rely on so and so venerable; a monastic often says that so and so is my student through Taking the Three Refuges. They miss the big picture and take the narrower view, damaging the meaning of Taking the Three Refuges and mistaking it for a private engagement. It is a pity.
I take this opportunity to explain and clarify it so that there is no confusion in the future. I hope everyone pays attention to this.
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