Taking Refuge Is Not Merely Reciting Words Like a Robot - Teaching #123

Lama Zopa Rinpoche continues teaching on refuge in this new video. Rinpoche explains how “taking refuge is not only reciting words." He offers the example of a robot, which does not have a mind and which only recites words without feeling. Rinpoche then talks about the many ways we can benefit numberless sentient beings by taking them around holy objects and having holy images and mantras for them to see and so forth. Rinpoche also reviews the different kindnesses of sentient beings. Rinpoche concludes the video, returning to the topic of refuge and explaining what taking refuge is. When you truly go for refuge, you want to be saved because you are afraid of the lower realms and samsara. You also have total faith that the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha can guide you to safety, and you want to rely on them. Read more about his teaching here.