On 1^st April 2018 morning, (16^th of the second month in the Lunar Calendar) about thousand of Buddhists from different regions of China participated the Grand Ritual of the Three Refuges which was held at Nanputuo Temple.  Requested by the people, Ven. Ze Wu (the Vice President of Buddhist Association of China, the President of the Buddhist Association of Xiamen, and the Abbot of the Nanputuo Temple) hosted the Three Refuges (śaraṇagamana) compassionately.

Before the Three Refuges, at 7:00 a.m., Ven. Xin Yuan (guest prefect) introduced the “Public Civilization”, “no garbage on the ground”, etc., which were the recent systems advocated by the Most Ven. Ze Wu. At 8:00 a.m., Ven. Zhao Yuan (Associate manager of Nanputuo Temple), who was entrusted by Ven. Ze Wu, explained the meaning of the Three Refuge in Triple Gem and the fundamental teachings of Buddhism to the Buddhists who wanted to take refuge in the Triple Gem. At 9:00 a.m., Ven. Dun Pu (monastic precept picket) expounded the Buddhist courtesy or manner, and demonstrated how to pay homage and worship the Buddha. Subsequently, Ven. Miao Zhen (Hall lord and monastic manager) taught the ceremonial chanting of the Three Refuges and led the Buddhists to practice it repeatedly.

At 10:00 a.m., the Grand Ritual of the Three Refuges was held at the front of the Mahāvīra Hall. With the sound of Dharma drum and bell, Buddhist banners, and solemn atmosphere, the devotees were standing near the terrace area palace steps to sincerely welcome the Most Ven. Ze Wu to walk toward in front of altar (platform), and later they invited Ven. Ze Wu to sit and preach the Dharma and received the Three Refuges. All the Buddhist participants, who were led by the master, welcome the arrival of Triple Gem from the ten directions, sincerely repented all the previous unwholesome deeds (karmas), made a sincere vow to take refuge in the Triple Gem, and repeatedly made vows and wishes to follow the path of Buddhism and save all sentient beings. The ritual was held in accordance to the Vinaya and Dharma; consequently, all participants were filled with Dharma joy and the Ritual ended successfully at 11:00 a.m. 

The general knowledge of the Three Refuges

1. The reason of taking refuge

The human beings are continuously trapped in the net of transmigration (saṃsāra) and could not escape the cycle of birth and death; thus, they have to bear the suffering and pain. This kind of state is desperately needed to be saved and resolved. The Three Refuges in the Triple Gem or the meaning of dependent, we select the Triple Gem (the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṃgha) as our dependent objects and further we could receive the blessing of the Triple Gem. Because of the immeasurable virtue, merit and excellent utility of the Triple Gem, when we take refuge and return to the embrace of the Triple Gem that is similar to a prodigal man who returns to the right path.  It also allows the sentient beings to return gradually to their pure minds.

2.The importance of ritual of the Three Refuges

The Three Refuges is both a formal and mental issue. The formal issue, if a student wants to enter a school, he or she should go through the admission procedure; likewise, if one takes refuge in the Triple Gem, it is the first step for entering the Buddhist gate. It is based on the foundation of - the faith of the Buddha and the practice of Dharma. The mental issue, not only it can inspire or stimulate the sincere mind and sacred feeling but also can cultivate and accumulate our religious sentiments. Furthermore, it is most important to receive the Three Refuges of essential precepts with this kind of ritual, and it must be led by the Buddhist masters; from this process, we get to know the importance and solemnness of the Ritual of the Three Refuges clearly.

3. The content of the Ritual of the Three Refuges

The simple procedure for the Ritual of the Three Refuges, in general can be divided into eight steps: organising the platform and inviting the master for seat, preaching of the master, inviting the noble for authentication, repenting the unwholesome karmas, genuine receiving the Three Refuges, making the vow, expounding wholesome and giving advice, and transferring merit.