the basis for buddhist refuge vows.

[hope rainbow]

What is the basis for Buddhist refuge vows?
Is it to refrain to engage in actions that harm others?
Is this the basis?

[kurava]

Basic fundamental belief/ conviction of any Buddhist -
1) past and future lives
2) the law of karma

Through logical inference we realize we have created numerous negative causes which will result in negative effects. If we do not purify our negative karma and top up with positive deeds, going down to the three lower realms is inevitable. Strong fear is generated through contemplation on the sufferings of these realms.

Understanding the superior qualities of the three jewels, faith arise in us that ONLY the three jewels can save us.

The above 2 steps is very important for our refuge to be real.

Buddhas by their own examples have proven to us that we can get out from the unending round of samara.
How? By putting his teachings into practice with the support of sangha.

Refuge vows are basically protection to hold us from creating all the causes for suffering and at the same time the vows consolidate our intention to do virtues strong and sincere.

The basis of taking these vows is - we mean what we say, no two ways about it 

[KhedrubGyatso]

K, thanks for clear explanation .
The two authentic causes of refuge are faith and fear.
I would like to add that the generating of faith in Buddhism is not based on blind faith where one simply trust.
We need to progress through 3 levels of contemplation and faith levels .From being inspired and wishing to have the qualities of the 3 jewels understanding its benefits, to actually practicing to emulate the examples of realized masters and holy beings knowing their unsurpassed qualities. In dependance on the above two factors, we develop  an unshakeable conviction and belief in the complete power and reliability of the 3 jewels to help us achieve temporary and ultimate happiness.

In order to develop genuine fear of lower rebirths, one has to meditate on one's precious human life, reality of impermanence & death and dangers of the 3 lower realms of existence.
The above meditations will not succeed if we do not have a firm belief in past and future lives.

Without the above correct reasoning and understanding for taking refuge and the vows, it will be difficult for one to hold the vows even if we have the courage to take them.

[Positive Change]

I would like to also add to what has been shared here... in that, the reason as to why we take vows. For some taking vows seems to be something "scary" as one associates vows with being a monk etc. Why are is one scared? Well, there could be many reasons but it all stems from one's wrong perceptions and a holding on to one's attachment in some way or another.

We could try to argue this statement but the fact remains, we are "afraid" because we think it is a cage not knowing that it is actually liberating. Excuse me for digressing, that is another topic altogether.

Back to why we actually take vows. One can argue but I do not do all these negative actions anyways so why should I take the vows? Well, to be honest, that is great if we think or know we dont but the thing is we do not generate merits this way. We need to tap into the merit field of the 3 jewels by making the vow/vows and holding this "promise".  Case in point... a baby does not kill, does not harm, is not hurtful , etc etc... does the baby generate any merits? NO! Same goes for us...

I actually learnt this from a fellow Dharma friend who told me to take vegetarian vows. My initial refute was, "but excuse me, I have been a vegetarian for many years now, much longer than you have, so don't tell me what to do". When he explained to me why it was important to take a vow it all made sense.

Sometime ignorance is NOT bliss... it is actually quite the opposite...

[hope rainbow]

What is the basis for Buddhist refuge vows?
Is it to refrain to engage in actions that harm others?
Is this the basis?

Thank you for these insights... Here is my take on this:

I don't think that the basis of the refuge vows is to refrain from actions that arm others, per se.

I think that the basis for the refuge vows is to refrain from SELF-DESTRUCTIVE actions.

The side effect is that holding on to such vows results in not harming others
(harming others being a self-destructive action).

Then, when one is FREE from SELF-DESTRUCTIVE COMPULSIONS, one can start benefiting others.

[triesa]

It is really nice to hear all your thoughts on this. And all have a point........

For me, I put this in a very simple perspective, I take refuge becasue I knoe I am not perfect and I aspire those qualities in the refuge vows.

I take refuge so that every time when I am deviated or completely off track from any of the vows, by my refuge in the three jewels, it serve as a reminder to me that keep me back on the good track.

It is like a little girl who wants to be a perfect ballerina, the teacher will correct her posture like poking her little tummy back, or raising her chin up, so that one day, the little girl will know exactly what to do to carry herself as all these will become a second nature to her.

[pgdharma]

I agree with you, Triesa. My refuge vows acts as a guideline for me so that  I will not deviate or go off track.

We all know that the Buddhadharma is good and we want to achieve Buddhahood. Thus we should put into practice and apply what we learned into our daily lives. Sometimes, we may go off track and may not hold our vows well but if we believe in karma, impermanence and the six realms of existence, then we will be more aware of our actions and will pull ourselves back and refrain from doing actions contrary to our refuge vows.

[KhedrubGyatso]

All wonderful inputs here. Agree is HR. Refuge vows is first and foremost to overcome our own harmfulness.This is consistent with Buddha's three exhortations as a summary of all his teachings : Do not harm others; Do good; Train our mind.
If we have evil seeds, it will limit and contaminate whatever actions we do even if they start off as well intended ones.When conditions change, they can trigger those bad seeds and we can change the course of our actions to harm instead of benefitting.
As for the causes of Refuge, everyone can have different motivations . We have to study and practice to improve our initial motivation , even if it is based on simple faith or feel good factor , in order that we can realize the full potential of our refuge objects , the 3 jewels.

[Positive Change]

For me, the basis of our Buddhist refuge vows is simply to guide us and to a certain extent protect us from OURSELVES. Why? Because we are our worse "enemy". We are the masters of our own "destiny" so to speak with the karma we create for ourselves. Hence the refuge vows are there to remind us of who we should be... enlightened perhaps?

[hope rainbow]

For me, the basis of our Buddhist refuge vows is simply to guide us and to a certain extent protect us from OURSELVES.

Thank you PA, I like what you said.
Vows protect us from ourselves.
They extinguish slowly but surely SELF-DESTRUCTIVE COMPULSIONS.

[Tammy]

Thank you all for the posts re this subject, they are very insightful and have provided different perspectives upon which to reflect on my own actions in the light of the refuge vows I have taken.

Thank you again.

[biggyboy]

What is the basis for Buddhist refuge vows?
Is it to refrain to engage in actions that harm others?
Is this the basis?

Below is a quote I have gathered and would like to share here...

"Taking refuge in the Buddha, the dharma and the sangha is something more than a ritual, wrote Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. By taking refuge, we are committing ourselves to freedom."

For me, having the Buddhist refuge vows is a basis to guide us and checking our mind in order to prevent us from going wayward which may one way or another harm or hurt others.  In directly, having Buddhist vows is a way to protect us if we put them into practise.  What do we want?  Ultimate happiness and freedom is what most of us are seeking right?

[sahara]

"Taking refuge in the Buddha, the dharma and the sangha is something more than a ritual, wrote Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. By taking refuge, we are committing ourselves to freedom."
When i just know about Buddhism and become a Buddhist, I really don't know what is 'VOWS'?
I read many book to find out and attend dharma teaching....I still confused but since this few year i been doing many dharma work and learning , slowly i notice that holding the Buddhist refuge vows is a basis to guide us and checking our mind in order to prevent us from going wayward which may one way or another harm or hurt others.Since i know this Dorje Shugden Website is help me a lot to study and give me many information to inprove my dharma knowledge. :)Thank you for all the post.

[RedLantern]

To take refuge in the Buddha is to take refuge in someone who has let go of holding back .To take refuge in the Dharma is to take refuge in all the teachings .To encourage you and nurture who share this longing to let go of holding back.To take refuge in the sangha is to take refuge in the community of people who share this longing to let go and open rather than shield themselves.
If we take our refuge vows seriously,we will improve our mindset and be a better person.It's just like we are making a promise to the Three Jewels and we should be mindful and keep our promise .

[dondrup]

Taking Refuge Vows (and later other higher vows e.g. Pratikmoksa vows, Bodhisattva Vows & Tantric Vows) is the part of the training in moral discipline.  When we are grounded and are able to uphold our moral discipline, we develop concentration.  Concentration is a fundamental aspect of Buddhist practices.  In reality our mind is very distracted with wandering thoughts.  Concentration stops distractions in our mind.  And with concentration, we are able to study the objects and phenomena around us in order to develop wisdom.  Wisdom is the knowledge that will eventually lead us to liberation and enlightenment. 

Moral discipline, concentration and wisdom are part of the Three Higher Trainings.  The Three Higher Trainings is an essential Buddhist practice and it forms the basis for taking Buddhist Refuge Vows.