The Refuge Vows

Gampopa's The Jewel Ornament of Liberation explains the refuge vows in Chapter 8:

    Training. There are 3 general trainings, 3 particular trainings, and 3 common trainings.

    a) The three general trainings consist of making a constant effort to

        make offerings to the Triple Jewels, even offering whatever one eats or drinks,

        not forsaking the Triple Jewels even at the risk of one's life or for great rewards;

        and repeatedly taking refuge by recollecting the qualities of the Triple Jewel.

    b) The three particular trainings are having taken refuge in the Buddha, one should not take refuge in other deities. The Sutra of the Great Parinirvana says:

        One who takes refuge in the Buddha
        Is the pure upasaka.
        Never go for refuge
        To other deities.

        Having taken refuge in the Dharma, one should
        not harm other sentient beings.
        It says in a sutra:
        By taking refuge in the precious Dharma,
        One's mind should be free from hurting
        and harming others.

        Having taken refuge in the Sangha, one should
        not rely on heretics. It says in a sutra:
        By taking refuge in the Sangha,
        One should not rely on heretics.

    The three common trainings are summarized:

        to respect the Buddha Jewel in every form, even a piece of a tsatsa;

        to respect the foundation of the Dharma Jewel, the books and the texts of precious Dharma, even one syllable;

        and to respect the precious Sangha Jewel, the dress of Buddha, even a patch of yellow cloth.

Source

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