Taking refuge

Taking refuge

Part of a series of online talks hosted by Vajrayana Institute in Sydney, Australia.

  • Rebirth and why we practice
  • The meaning of refuge
    • Motivation for taking refuge
    • Cultural influences
    • Examining the teachings
  • Refuge ceremony
    • Formal and informal refuge
    • Criteria for refuge objects
    • Criteria for taking refuge
      • Belief in rebirth and scripture
      • Buddhism and other religions
  • The meaning of the refuge verse
  • General and common guidelines for refuge
Venerable Thubten Chodron

Venerable Chodron emphasizes the practical application of Buddha’s teachings in our daily lives and is especially skilled at explaining them in ways easily understood and practiced by Westerners. She is well known for her warm, humorous, and lucid teachings. She was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 1977 by Kyabje Ling Rinpoche in Dharamsala, India, and in 1986 she received bhikshuni (full) ordination in Taiwan. Read her full bio.