Taking refuge has a very profound meaning, and Buddhist practitioners take refuge regularly in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha–but there is also a very special refuge ceremony.  In a refuge ceremony, you are formally becoming a Buddhist and creating a deep karmic link with the teacher.  You commit yourself to the path of love and compassion and to awakening the non-dualistic freedom that already exists within you.

If any member of the community would like to take refuge with Rinpoche, he has chosen an auspicious date:  Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 10-11am at the Manjushri Dharma Center.   Please contact him in person or by phone at 831-917-3969 to make arrangements.

Those who have already taken refuge may join the ceremony to renew their vows.

The meaning of taking refuge is very profound, and there are many layers.  Taking refuge does involve certain specific commitments, and Rinpoche wrote about the 5 Precepts and Benefits of Precepts of Refuge.  The Refuge Vow Book  may be presented to each person taking refuge with Rinpoche.   The date & your Dharma name will be added in the back of the book–if no books are available, you will be given a piece of paper with your Dharma name.

• 5 Precepts + Benefits and Precepts of Refuge
• Refuge Vow Book Example

Here are a few additional resources explaining the meaning of the refuge ceremony in Buddhism (these are not directly from Rinpoche):
https://www.samyeling.org/buddhism-and-meditation/teaching-archive-2/choje-akong-tulku-rinpoche/the-meaning-of-taking-refuge/
https://www.lionsroar.com/the-decision-to-become-a-buddhist/

Questions?  Contact Rachel at [email protected].

Image: One of a Pair of Manuscript Covers from the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra (Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita Sutra); Original public domain image from Art Institute of Chicago.