Episode 92 - If You Want To Be a Buddhist...

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Taking refuge is the key expression of commitment to Buddhism. If you want to identify as a Buddhist in a more formal way, you can take refuge by saying the refuge prayer: “I go for refuge to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.” When we take refuge, we are committing ourselves to peace and the path to that inner peace. The Buddha is the teacher, and the Sangha (spiritual community) assists you in your practice, but the real refuge is the jewel of the teaching, because experience of the teachings protects our mind and solves our problems. </span></p> <p> </p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">You are now at the end of life; </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’re headed for Yama’s presence </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">With no resting place along the way, </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">No provisions for the journey. </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Make an island for yourself. </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Be quick in making effort. Be wise. </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unblemished, with corruption removed, </span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">You will experience birth and old age no more. (Verse 238)</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">—Buddha, The Dhammapada</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Links and References</strong></p> <p><a href= "https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Buddha.The+Dhammapada.+Translated+by+Gil+Fronsdale.&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Buddha.</span><em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">The Dhammapada.</span></em> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">Translated by Gil Fronsdale.</span></a> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Shambala, Boston and London, 2011, pp.62.</span></p> <p><a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Treatise-Stages-Enlightenment-Lamrim-Chenmo-ebook/dp/B001ULD0M8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1551103766&sr=8-1&keywords=%C2%A0Great+Treatise+on+the+Stages+of+the+Path+to