[FLOMOUSLY]

If i may ask where can you find a refuge? Are there age limits? And how much would it cost to get in, if any? Are there some in the US im sure? THanks!
TTB

[Ygd2qr8k]

Hi TTB,

There isn't an age limit (are you very young?). As far as I know, you can take Refuge at most offline centres. I don't live in the USA so I don't know about any costs at centres there. There wouldn't be anything to pay at a Theravada centre and usually its possible to ask a senior monk to do it with you.
Tibetan Buddhist centres often have a ceremony conducted by a lama for several people.

In the meantime, you can also take Refuge in Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha at home by repeating the words whilst visualising the Buddha, or doing it in front of a statue or picture of the Buddha.

There's some information about Refuge here:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/a.../wheel282.html

with kind wishes,

A-D

[HOTgirlsXXL]

Yup, sums up me too. I'm very reluctant to wear labels. In my opinion, any worthwhile philosophy should facilitate the evolution and development of my moral compass and personal beliefs, rather than become a substitute for them. That's probably the thing that's scared me away from joining anyone's 'club'.

The concepts and philosophies behind Buddhism make an awful lot of sense to me, but I've always wondered whether I can actually regard myself as Buddhist if I've never been inclined to take refuge with any particular tradition.

Pete

Hi Pete,

Not sure what is really meant by calling oneself " a " anything, anymore, and this is particularly so in how one could label being a Buddhist ( unless wanting to segregrate into what tradition one chooses to practice within - ho humm ) ....what being a Buddhist means is a conundrum and seeing oneself in that way is particularly counterintuitive to me

[olivelappers]

Shoju knew that when the waitress brings you your meal you don't need to look at the menu any more.

[GaxyGroordrep]

I too refuge about 27years ago and I still repeat it every day as part of my morning routine. I like to think that I am starting out fresh each time, as if it were the first time I ever recited it, which reminds me that in fact, it is.