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Everyday Mage: Refuge Fu Colored The Three Realms are still narrow

Han characters 2025-04-12

The Three Realms are still narrow

(Everyday Master Speaks)

(After taking refuge, what should be stopped and practiced for the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha?)

It was taught in 1994

After taking refuge, what should be done and practiced for the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha? Let's talk first.

1. The most fundamental thing is not to take refuge in all the heavens. We don't seem to have violated it now, but if we actually look at it at a deeper level, it's very difficult to do that, because the scriptures tell us that we have to make offerings to the Three Jewels of Enlightenment in everything we do. But what do we ask for in everything we do? Ask for the powerful people in the world! So the day before yesterday, when we recited "Don't seek the Great Buddha and stop suffering," our problem is here. So what really matters when we encounter anything is that the disciples who take refuge in the Three Jewels make offerings to the Three Jewels of Enlightenment. However, it should be said that those in the world do not ignore it entirely, but can be used as a companion. But we're putting the cart before the horse! I still want to do it in the world, but I have to do it according to the law and reason. Fundamentally, praying for the Three Jewels has very special benefits. If we can do that, then we don't complain about the heavens and others, and we don't ask too much, so we have to pray for the Three Jewels first, and then follow the world. For example, if I want to find a lawyer in a lawsuit, then I should find a lawyer, and if I encounter a difficult dispute and need to find an important person in the local area, I should also go to find it, but after taking refuge in the Three Jewels, I will not use my brain, give him money, and beg him to help me do the other party. On the other hand, if others harm us, we should also do the same thing, because this is karma, and we can only pray. I also know that this is not easy to do, and in my own opinion, it is not good to be a monk, let alone you? But if we don't work hard, we will always have to talk about it, and it will be reduced to empty talk.

Second, what should be stopped is to give up the loss and affliction of all sentient beings. This is particularly important, and we should stay away from happiness and preliminaries, as we should be disturbed and affectionate. It's easy to say, but it's actually not easy, "intentional" is one thing, "unintentional" is another, at least "intentional" must be discarded, "unintentional" is not easy, but if you take refuge and do it in the same way, you can avoid it. And what really matters is that the "intentional" disturbing and sentient beings should be renounced first, and the behavior is certainly not allowed, nor is the pleasure allowed.

3. Do not live outside the road. It is very difficult for you to do this because in your life in the world, you often encounter outsiders, especially your parents at home, and if one of your spouses does not believe in the Dharma, it will be even more troublesome. The above three points should be stopped after taking refuge.

What should I do after taking refuge?

1. Respect the Buddha. We seem to be very respectful, but it's really hard to do, and we say, "Of course the Buddha is respectful, but there is no Buddha!" But when the Buddha actually comes, I am afraid that it will be difficult for us to be respectful, at least not necessarily for the icons. Broadly speaking, we are told that no matter what it is, if it is good or bad, we should respect it as if we were respecting a master, so I made a wish that I hope everyone will do it. A few days ago, I saw a poster printed with a Buddha statue, we felt that there were too many posters, the previous practice was to burn them, this method is not good, I vowed to find a way to do it, and in the future, I saw the Buddha statue regardless of good or bad to be sincerely and respectfully offered. In this way, you will definitely say that there are so many places! For example, in your own home, at least there is an empty space! Speaking of which, I should be very grateful to all of you, I only teach you all day long, and I can't do it myself! The Buddha told us not only to teach you, but to tell you about my experience! So I vow to do it today, and I thought to myself, to prepare a big cardboard box full of another one, and when it was full, to make another one, and to make an offering in the cleanest place very respectfully. At present, I have to wipe it clean on the top of the cupboard in my room, which is for the Buddha temporarily, and in the future, if I have the ability, I should build a room for the Buddha, and you can also do it as you like. I used to tell you, "There are so many statues of great virtues that they are burned to ashes and thrown into the sea." Now I feel that it is inappropriate, if you sincerely and respectfully regard him as a Buddha, how can you burn him? As for what others do and don't care about them, we must at least do how to arouse that respect.

2. Respect for the law. It is not easy to do it, but if you do it, you will have great merit. Respect is very important, because if you can respect the Buddha, you can feel the merits of the Buddha, and if you can respect the Dharma, you can increase your wisdom. The scriptures say that disrespecting the Dharma and the Dharma teacher is the cause of bad wisdom, and we are stupid enough to think that the wisdom of the brain is wisdom, which is an evil view, and the real wisdom is to be able to correspond to the Fa and be able to distinguish things very clearly.

3. Respect for monks. Now we can all feel that the community has a protective power for us, and if we are not respectful, we will not be protected by the group, and the general argument goes, "Xile merit dwells in the forest, we should not observe his mistakes, we should not think about it, I am the first to surpass me." This is easier for the Buddha and the Dharma, but it is even more difficult for the Sangha and the people, and I myself often feel that my teaching is the most complete and that others are not good. Lokchen Rinpoche once told me, "Don't talk about your goodness and other people's badness! It's all a split party!" When I heard it, it was like a slap in the face, and it was all the teachings of the World-Honored One, so am I better than him? Therefore, we should practice more from this point and not be more despisive to others. The above are the ones that should be stopped and should be corrected in other studies.

In terms of co-learning, there are six things that should be learned after taking refuge:

1. Recite the differences in merit of the Three Jewels and count the refuge. The most important thing to remember is a sentence - "Breaking off troubles and suffering is karma", and when you start your thoughts, you should carefully observe, is it the cause of growth troubles or broken troubles? The environment is very important to us, and it will be easier for you to take refuge here today, and then you will be able to recite this matter. Usually, although the truth is very good, it is difficult to do it, the reason is that the troubles that are very strong and rough are in place, so I turn around the troubles, thinking about why Zhang San is sorry for me, how much Li Si owes me, how much I have suffered, put these small things in my mind, and dreaming is no exception, this will hurt myself. What you have to think about is: Can the cause cure the afflictions, can they get rid of the afflictions? If we can do this, we will definitely be able to stop suffering in the future, and even attain the perfection of supreme bodhi.

Second, Nian Grace. Pray for great grace and diligent offerings. There are many connotations in it, and everyone should repay the kindness and be happy to provide for it.

3. Remembering sorrow so that others can also settle down in refuge. This is a very special professor for us. When we rejoice in this person, I feel that I have to pull him into the Buddha Gate to help him take refuge, and when we are not happy about this person, we don't think of helping him, but in fact both of these situations are wrong. The rejoicing of people who take refuge is not because of sorrow, but because of the emotion, which is not the case with sorrow, and if the emotion is not purified, it is not corresponding to the Dharma. True compassion doesn't matter if it's resentment or kinship. Why do I say that the King of Fa has such a strong influence on me? He said, "There is still a long way to go before a concept can be of value to you. If this concept is to work for you, you have to actually experience it, and adversity is your greatest, actual experience!" There's nothing wrong with that, I don't know if you feel it. Today we talk about refuge, is it useless to take refuge for a long time? When you see a happy person, you go to climb, or you are busy with this and that for your own fame and fortune, these are not corresponding. On the other hand, if you see someone you hate, and you think that no amount of truth I usually say will work, now you should take refuge in his place and save him no matter what. If you can continue to practice with this mind, you will be greatly improved the next time you come.

Fourth, whatever you do and whatever you need, you should make offerings to the Three Jewels of Enlightenment. It's something we don't do easily.

5. Remembering the victory of refuge, followed by three days and three nights of constant refuge. Whether you are sober or confused, whether it is day or night, you must practice refuge diligently. How can we do the same when we are confused? That is to say, if a very strong heart of refuge arises, while this residual momentum is still there, whether you are awake or asleep, you are taking refuge. Now we are reincarnated in the six realms all day long, and even though we want to take refuge, the remnants of samsara are still there, and even doing anything about the Dharma is also defiled.

Sixth, even if you are reluctant to take refuge in laughter and even in distress, you should strive to protect the Three Jewels.

Now, what is the great benefit of taking refuge in relation to item 5? The detailed explanation can be divided into eight points:

1. Disciples of Buddhism. This time, when you participate in the Seventh Session, I think you have already experienced what it means to be a "disciple of the Buddha", that is, to judge whether or not you can take refuge. When you do feel it, you know it best. I think most of my classmates have this feeling, and they don't have to take refuge to understand it clearly, and they don't need to ask others. If you don't have it yet, don't worry, there will be a chance tomorrow, there will be no chance tomorrow, there will be a chance the day after tomorrow, there will be no chance this time, and there will be a chance next time. Therefore, it is said, "One man is capable of one, and he is ten; Ten people can do it, and they can do it for a hundred; If you can do this, although you are foolish, you will be clear, and if you are soft, you will be strong." People do it once, I do it ten times; People do it ten times, I do it a hundred times; People do it a hundred times, I do it a thousand times, ten thousand times, and I won't stop if I can't do it! We know that we have no way out, and if we don't do it, we will be reincarnated in the six realms!

2. Refuge is the foundation of the precepts. The sutras tell us that if you don't take refuge, no matter what you do, it's not a disciple's business, and you are very capable of doing a lot of things, and even if you have merit, it's a pity.

3. Being able to extinguish the karmic obstacles, the karmic obstacles that have been accumulated before are gradually reduced, or even completely eliminated. Why? After taking refuge, I naturally felt that I was already a disciple of the Three Jewels, and I wanted to do the same. On the one hand, there is great merit in taking refuge to deal with it, and on the other hand, there is no illegal action in the mind. Broadly speaking, the four forces of repentance, the first two forces destroy the current and the current is the opposite, and in fact, the refuge in the law is on top of this. The power of dependence is either reliance on the Three Jewels or reliance on developing bodhichitta. In other words, I want to save all sentient beings to become Buddhas, and if I start thinking about it, I will not only get great blessings, but also remove my previous sins. This refuge is something that everyone can realize that they should take advantage of, and that the defilements they encounter will disappear in the future, and this is the reason why I recommend that you abstain from sin.

Fourth, accumulate great blessings. There is an immeasurable amount of great merit in taking refuge, "the blessing of refuge is colored, and the instruments of the Three Realms are still narrow", and knowing that the blessing of refuge is so great, it is natural to be able to take refuge sincerely.

5. Do not fall into the evil way.

Sixth, people and non-people cannot be embarrassed. When true refuge arises, it is certain that non-human beings cannot interfere with you, as evidenced by the stories of the winds and the outer paths. True refuge in the heart liberates all suffering. I know that I am very poor, but I only have one thought of taking refuge, and then I can gather the combined strength of many classmates, and I can produce incredible power.

7. Whatever you do, you can achieve success. There is a reason for this: no matter what you do, if you first make offerings to the Three Jewels of Enlightenment, you will succeed if you do the Dharma, and you will not succeed if you do bad things.

8. Quickly become a Buddha. Because of the special leisure time, and the ability to take refuge and learn the special path, you will soon become a Buddha. Therefore, this item is specially mentioned because it is convenient for students to take refuge well, and in this way, they can recite the victory of refuge. If refuge does not arise, nothing can be counted as an inner path disciple, nor can it generate great blessings.

In order to increase your confidence, I would like to tell you what my teacher told me at the beginning, and in principle, you should keep in mind one characteristic, and when you take refuge sincerely, this is the idea. Maybe it's because we don't have enough power, or because we still have old habits in our subconscious, but as long as you keep going, if you can focus on this thought, you will slowly take refuge. Two students described it appropriately, and one student said: It is to make this heart of refuge reach the extreme. Another student said: To use all the power of the dantian, in other words, is to use all the strength of breastfeeding, in fact, not to use force but to use heart. When I was very young, I had this feeling when I heard Master Yinguang say "Sincere Diligence". At that time, I didn't know each other, but I felt very happy when I worshipped, and it wasn't until the teacher who came into contact with the Tibetan system told me about the characteristics of refuge that I suddenly realized. Later, because there were many causes and conditions, I didn't study deeply, and today I don't regret it, I always know the importance of raising funds for sin, and I also know where the key to the problem is. So don't be afraid, as long as you can do it according to the law, and when you take refuge very earnestly and sincerely, this is the thought of the moment! Don't think it's like a ray of light! What a thing! As for the students who have already developed enlightenment, the general principle should be to explain that at the beginning, it is necessary to make it have a appearance, and in fact it is really solid, not only that, but also has its profound connotation. That is to say, you can at least take a breath for twenty minutes, go around for twenty minutes, although distracting thoughts will still invade, but it doesn't matter, at that time, you have to slow down, you have to slow down. If we have this level of understanding, and then we study the broad theory, we can really gain a further understanding.

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