Tuesdays, May 3 to June 14, 7 to 9pm
No meetings on May 17, June 7
For those who would like to formally take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, we will have four classes exploring the meaning of “taking refuge.” Then, on the evening of June 14, we will meet for a sitting, dharma talk, and refuge ceremony. Those who have been in the refuge ceremony before are encouraged to come again to provide support and inspiration.
Taking refuge is one of the most common rituals a lay practitioner performs in Theravada Buddhism. While it is done as a matter of course at ceremonies during retreats and when visiting a temple, it can be a pivotal moment when, for the first time, one takes refuge with a conscious intent of orienting one’s life in accordance to one’s deepest values and aspirations. Relating our practice to the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, helps insure that our practice is not limited only to intellectual concerns or issues of personal therapy. It helps solidify a wide foundation of trust and respect from which true mindfulness practice can grow.