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Definitions of refuge
Taking refuge is a key part of Buddhism, I was reading a note from dharmavidya regarding the subject and I wanted to define a position of standing which I feel is honourable to all interested parties past, present and future.
Very often and what seems to be more and more in modern life we are told what something means, the world of things and words are 'defined for us'. The more this happens i believe that over time we will lose the ability to define things without outside influence.
Rev. J. Kennet, who I never met, but study her works made a very fine point in one of her talks:
" Buddhism is not for spiritual children, but for spiritual adults"
Dharmavidya is my teacher and as such it is not something that I am 'entitled' to it is something that I claim as a right, I claim further that I am aware of a lineage to which no man or woman can grant me access to or not as the case may be.
Someone never came to me and said - " Now you are allowed to see this man as your teacher" and so no person can come and say "now you are not entitled to see this man as your teacher" --- it is absurd in my reality.
My definition of refuge is 'standing with' as opposed to 'standing under' I also fully accept that my position of standing means that I will most likely not be 'invited' to enter further in to the order as I am the 'ward' of no-one nor am I a child of the state. I am a Freeman.
But still I take refuge and I will honour my teachers with all my heart, with all my soul.
I fully respect the fact that the sangha in so much as it is defined needs to be 'kept' in a certain way in order for it to be maintained through time.
I am not 'kept', except that I am kept alive by the grace of the Ancestors and all the Buddhas of all the worlds. Who I see as a living ancestor(s) is/are my Teacher(s)
I fully respect the fact that there must be criteria and terms and conditions for admission (as such).
I do not yeild to terms and conditions except those that are created jointly with the full consent of all who may be 'subject' to them. I am not the subject of another nor am I a subject of the crown. I am a Freeman.
My primary spiritual practice is to give thanks to the Ancestors of the past, present, future and to dwell on and seek to increase the merits of all the Buddhas of all the worlds evermore.
Whether or not I am regarded as a disciple or not by someone or the other does not or can not affect my own personal commitment to the Three Jewels or my commitment to the teachings of my teacher.
I do not claim to know all things or to be all things, I do claim however to be aware of the following:
The lifeforce that flows through me also flows through The Buddha, The Buddhas, The Sangha, The Sanghas, The Dhamma, The Teachers, The Teacher, The Ministers or Amitaryas, The Students, The Children, The Animals, The Lands, The Skies, The Seas and ALL that my true soul beholds and has by grace created.
I say then, Bring peace to the world, or sit still and wait for then peace will come to you.
Homage to all the Buddhas of all the worlds, Homage to all the Boddisatvas of all the worlds.
Namo Amida Bu.
Very often and what seems to be more and more in modern life we are told what something means, the world of things and words are 'defined for us'. The more this happens i believe that over time we will lose the ability to define things without outside influence.
Rev. J. Kennet, who I never met, but study her works made a very fine point in one of her talks:
" Buddhism is not for spiritual children, but for spiritual adults"
Dharmavidya is my teacher and as such it is not something that I am 'entitled' to it is something that I claim as a right, I claim further that I am aware of a lineage to which no man or woman can grant me access to or not as the case may be.
Someone never came to me and said - " Now you are allowed to see this man as your teacher" and so no person can come and say "now you are not entitled to see this man as your teacher" --- it is absurd in my reality.
My definition of refuge is 'standing with' as opposed to 'standing under' I also fully accept that my position of standing means that I will most likely not be 'invited' to enter further in to the order as I am the 'ward' of no-one nor am I a child of the state. I am a Freeman.
But still I take refuge and I will honour my teachers with all my heart, with all my soul.
I fully respect the fact that the sangha in so much as it is defined needs to be 'kept' in a certain way in order for it to be maintained through time.
I am not 'kept', except that I am kept alive by the grace of the Ancestors and all the Buddhas of all the worlds. Who I see as a living ancestor(s) is/are my Teacher(s)
I fully respect the fact that there must be criteria and terms and conditions for admission (as such).
I do not yeild to terms and conditions except those that are created jointly with the full consent of all who may be 'subject' to them. I am not the subject of another nor am I a subject of the crown. I am a Freeman.
My primary spiritual practice is to give thanks to the Ancestors of the past, present, future and to dwell on and seek to increase the merits of all the Buddhas of all the worlds evermore.
Whether or not I am regarded as a disciple or not by someone or the other does not or can not affect my own personal commitment to the Three Jewels or my commitment to the teachings of my teacher.
I do not claim to know all things or to be all things, I do claim however to be aware of the following:
The lifeforce that flows through me also flows through The Buddha, The Buddhas, The Sangha, The Sanghas, The Dhamma, The Teachers, The Teacher, The Ministers or Amitaryas, The Students, The Children, The Animals, The Lands, The Skies, The Seas and ALL that my true soul beholds and has by grace created.
I say then, Bring peace to the world, or sit still and wait for then peace will come to you.
Homage to all the Buddhas of all the worlds, Homage to all the Boddisatvas of all the worlds.
Namo Amida Bu.
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