Tam Quy I. Opening Topic. Living in a multifaceted life, people who want to choose a path, map out a life full of meaning and peace, is not an easy task. We are travelers standing at the crossroads, but we don't know where the roads will lead in the end? Choosing a path to go to a lifetime, must be very wise to avoid regrets in the future. But we have to choose for ourselves, don't ask for help, don't listen to anyone's instigation, because this is the path we go by ourselves, no one can replace us. Choose carefully and then go, is the attitude of the wise; Close your eyes as much as possible, let yourself go anywhere or there, be a fool, carry your whole life as a game. Wise people must look carefully, must consider thoroughly before they take a step on a path. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is indeed putting oneself on a path to the end. To the end of the road is our whole life. To do this, it is necessary to understand clearly, to perceive thoroughly, to develop the mind of taking refuge. Taking refuge is the direction for our whole life. Without understanding anything, taking refuge loses all its meaning. II. The definition of the Three Refuges is enough to take refuge in the Three Jewels. The Three Jewels are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Buddha is only Shakyamuni Buddha, because he previously practiced enlightenment and became a Buddha. The Dharma is the teaching given by the Buddha that instructs the way of practice. Sangha are those who practice according to the precepts and righteous Dharma of the Buddha. Why is it called Buddha Bao? From being an ordinary person like us to becoming a Buddha is a rare thing in this world. So in the sutras it is often said that the Buddha was born difficult to meet, like the Udumbara flower that blooms only once a thousand years. Because it is rarely difficult to meet, it is said to be Precious. More, He himself escaped from samsara and became a Buddha, and then brought that enlightenment to teach everyone to come out of samsara, which is the noblest thing in the world, so it's called Treasure. What is called the Dharma? The rare Dharma of the world is taught by the Buddha, and it is difficult for listeners to understand and comprehend. But once understood, the application of practice can turn ordinary people into saints, such a dharma is more precious. The Dharma taught by the Buddha is the truth, no matter how much time passes, it still shines like a jewel. Those who are lost in the dark night, suddenly encountering the torch, are happy and sad, so are the practitioners who meet the true Dharma. People who are sunk in the ocean, see a boat coming to pick them up, are happy and loved, and so are those who study the way who meet the true Dharma. So say" they have relieved their afflictions and gained some kind of pure peace, and then led everyone to that place of peace and purity. That's why it's called Sangha. What is Refuge? Quy is return, y is refuge. Returning to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha is called taking refuge in the Three Jewels. For a long time we have always chased after sensual pleasures, creating suffering karma, now when we wake up, we will definitely return to take refuge with the Three Jewels. Take the Three Jewels as a final destination, so as not to create more suffering and karma, and then bring us peace in life. This is our conscious recollection, our vow to return. This awareness is the foundation of the wisdom castle, it is the first step on the way home to enlightenment. Laying this foundation firmly, the castle of wisdom will be long-lasting. That is the importance of the spirit of Refuge. III. Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels Outside the Buddha Dharma Sangha is the object for us to take refuge in. Vow to follow the path of the Buddha and take refuge in the Buddha. Determined to practice his teachings, also recorded in the scriptures, is taking refuge in the Dharma. According to the guidance of the monks, they are taking refuge in the Sangha. From here on, our lives take the Three Jewels as a model, aim straight ahead and move forward, without having to doubt and groping like in the past. We are the Pilot, the Three Jewels are the lighthouse. Just aim for the lighthouse and steer our lifeboat to the finish line. But in Buddhism, Buddhists decide to believe without hesitation, while the Sangha must be careful not to get it wrong. Sangha is a group of monks living in accordance with the spirit of Luc Hoa, not an individual personality. If a monk takes refuge in Buddhists, he represents the group. Taking refuge in the Sangha is taking refuge with monks who live in accordance with the spirit of Luc Hoa, not just a monk who transmits the three refuges to the five precepts. If the representative who transmitted the precepts can practice or not, the person who received the dharma precepts has already taken refuge in the Sangha. When taking refuge in a monk, it means taking refuge in all the monks, if anyone lives in the right spirit of harmony. Buddhists have the right to learn from all the Sangha and should not be limited to their teachers. Yes, that is the true spirit of taking refuge in the Three Jewels outside. IV. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels Self-Mind Buddha Dharma must always have two sides, the outer Three Jewels are the object, the Three Jewels of the heart are the essence. Taking care of the outer Three Jewels, we develop the Three Jewels of our own mind. Inward and outward reciprocity to perfect cultivation practice is the main goal of Buddhism. What is the self-centered Tam Bao? The inherent awareness in us is the Buddha Treasure. Compassion and compassion to save sentient beings is the Dharma. The mind that is in harmony with everyone is Tang Bao. Thanks to the external Buddha Treasure, we awaken our awareness, return to rely on our awareness, which is taking refuge in the Buddha. Thanks to the outer Dharma Jewel, we arouse compassion for sentient beings, and return to take refuge with our compassion, which is taking refuge in the Dharma. Because the monks outside remind us to have a spirit of pure harmony, to return to our spirit of pure harmony is to take refuge in the Sangha. The outer Buddha Dharma Sangha is an aid to help us generate the Buddha Dharma Sangha of our own mind. For example, a teacher acts as an assistant for a student to expand his knowledge. There is an industrious teacher, but the lazy student refuses to learn, the teacher also becomes useless. Likewise, having the Three Jewels outside, the Buddhist does not try to awaken his own Three Jewels, The outer Three Jewels also become meaningless. The outer Three Jewels are an essential good condition for Buddhists, but attaining enlightenment and liberation is the ability of the Three Jewels of the mind. Only knowing that there are Three Jewels outside is deacon. A person who believes in the Three Jewels of the heart without knowing the Three Jewels outside is accepting and giving up. True Buddhists must use the new logic to avoid obstacles on the path. V. The Ceremony of Taking Refuge The main focus in the ceremony of taking refuge is when Buddhists kneel in front of the Three Jewels, make three vows: "Disciples ... please take refuge in the Buddha for the rest of your life, take refuge in the Dharma, and take refuge in the Sangha. ". This vow comes from the bottom of the Buddhist heart, not by any compulsion. Three times of making such a vow is to sow the seed deep into the storehouse consciousness, making it impossible to forget forever. This is voluntary spirit. The ceremonial form only adds significance to the moment of prayer. When we are awake and willing to follow the Three Jewels, our life will be beneficial. If on the path of cultivation there is a time when we are obscured by ignorance and do not remember the Three Jewels, we will suffer losses ourselves. Buddhism does not force us to take heavy oaths so as not to give up the religion. Treasures for people, if they agree to accept the word, they will get benefits, if they don't accept it, it's fine, what to do. Unless there is a consequential meaning, it is mandatory to take heavy oaths to not dare to give up. Those who understand this place will see the true value of Buddhism. All the coercive temptation to follow the religion, the Buddhists completely oppose. Each person has a clear self-awareness about Buddhism and then develops his mind to the Way, which is the true Buddhist spirit. Understanding and then following is the right action with the spirit of enlightenment. Using magic or miracles to lure people into religion is superstition. Using all interests to lure people into the religion, that is tempting fools, is not in accordance with the spirit of enlightenment. We have a duty to explain to others to understand that taking refuge is a true missionary. The formal ceremony in the refuge ceremony, is just a condition for our vow to be fully fulfilled. This ritual does not mean that Buddha will bless us for a lifetime of peace. BECAUSE. Affirming the Position After taking refuge in the Three Jewels, we clearly affirm our stance: "Take refuge in the Buddha, not take refuge in Gods, Gods, Demons, and Animals". We have carefully identified the determination to follow the Buddha as the enlightened one, there is no reason to follow Gods, Gods, Demons, and Animals. Because Gods, Gods, Demons, and Things are still unenlightened and are reincarnated like us. But there are also some Buddhists who have taken refuge in the Buddha, but still run after ghosts and spirits. These people are greedy for gain, Because he liked the mystery, he went the wrong way of the Buddha Dharma. Even because of their superstition, they revert to respecting ghosts and gods more than Buddha. This is an evil phenomenon for indifferent guests to criticize Buddhism. "Take refuge in the Dharma, do not take refuge in a pagan religion". The Dharma of the Buddha is the truth, helping sentient beings in a practical way, like a doctor to a patient. Understanding this truth, why do we follow pagan heresy? We profess to love the truth, wish for practical relief from suffering, and pagan paganism does not attract us. Only those who have to listen to those wishes will have such unreasonable changes. Even if there are sacred evil spells to get what we want, we do not develop greed to follow them. Or there are miraculous spiritual remedies that can cure any illness, A true Buddhist would rather die than beg. This body has been well kept, but eventually decays, lost in the path of evil kalpas that is difficult to get out of. "Take refuge in the Sangha, do not take refuge in evil friends." We have chosen virtuous people to follow, bringing our lives closer to virtue. Evil friends against people who know the way should be avoided. Because "closer to ink, it's black, near the lamp, it's bright" or "near fishy things, we get bad breath, near fragrant things, we smell good". Therefore, we must have the courage to follow the path we have chosen, even if we are despised and insulted, we will still go. Because we are not blind, but we have to leave the good near the bad. Having a clear stance is someone with a strong will. If a cultivator lacks this will, he is easily swayed by the wind. VII. Conclusion Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is the foundation of the building of enlightenment, is the first step on the ladder of liberation, the first steps on the way to the birthless homeland. In order for a building to be strong, a solid foundation is required. Need to cross the ladder of liberation, the first step must step firmly. Like the peace of the birthless homeland, the first steps on the way back must go right. Without the foundation of the Tam Quy, the building of enlightenment cannot be built. Without the first step, it is difficult for anyone to climb the ladder of liberation. The first steps on the way home were wrong, hundreds of thousands of steps later, the more you go, the more wrong you are. Therefore, taking refuge in the Triple Gem is of great importance. Everyone who wants to come to Buddhism must enter from the refuge door, otherwise, learning Buddhism will lose its foundation. Because it plays such an important role, Buddhists must be careful in taking the vows of refuge. Don't for the sake of taking refuge for blessings, for healing from illness, for Buddha's blessing through calamities. .., are all reasons of superstition, contrary to the voluntary spirit of Buddhism. B. Five Precepts I. Introduction Human is the object of Buddhism, how many laws, how many dharma subjects, the Buddha established for human sake. Bringing happiness to people is the main goal of Buddhism. But the concept of Buddhism, not having a lot of wealth, a lot of love, etc.. is that people have happiness. Happiness is a person who lives in moderation, knows how to respect everyone's happiness, knows how to honestly love each other. A civilized people is a nation that respects each other's lives and basic human rights and freedoms. Therefore, the five precepts are the basic foundation to bring happiness to people and build people to live in the true sense of civilization. The Five Precepts are the basic ethical principles of Buddhists. when starting to walk on the path of enlightenment and liberation. Lacking this moral basis, no matter how high we say morality is, it is an empty expression. Practical cultivation must first build the foundation, then advance to the sublime levels. That is the importance of the five precepts. II. Definition The Five Precepts are the five prohibitions that the Buddha told Buddhists to follow. After taking refuge one has claimed to be a disciple of the Buddha, in order to qualify as a Buddhist one must observe the five precepts. The Buddha, out of compassion for sentient beings, created these five commandments, in order to make their lives peaceful and happy. Keeping these five precepts is for yourself, not for the Buddha. Form of the five precepts: 1. Do not kill: ie not kill human life. We value our own lives, unreasonably killing the lives of others. Humane justice does not allow us to do that. If we did it, we would be contrary to justice, lacking humanity, and we would no longer be worthy of being a disciple of the Buddha. Killing people's lives has three: directly killing, inciting people to kill, and rejoicing in killing. Buddhists do not kill people with their own hands, do not use their mouths to incite others to kill. That is keeping the precept not to kill. But in general, we value our lives, animals also value their lives, let justice flow to animals, if it is not necessary, we also reduce the killing of animals. their network. 2. Don't steal: Our property, we don't want anyone to intrude, our property, we must not snatch or sneak it. Because stealing or stealing from people is an inhuman act, violating government laws, and must be punished. Stealing is due to evil greed, thinking only of self-interest, forgetting people's suffering, losing both justice and humanity, Buddhists are definitely not allowed to do. 3. No adultery: Buddhists have husband and wife friends like everyone else in the world. When you have a couple of friends, then absolutely do not violate the chastity of others. If you do, you are guilty of adultery. Because this is an act of suffering for his family and his family, creating the risk of bankruptcy. Due to a little bit of his own personal feelings, causing many people to suffer, it is a lack of humanity. To ensure the security of their family and the happiness of the family, Buddhists definitely do not commit adultery. 4. Do not lie: To speak contrary to the truth to seek your own benefit or to harm others is a lie. Due to the motive of evil greed, events happen like this, say that or other, change the wrong to make a face, change the right to be wrong, causing people to suffer. Those who say such things are unethical, lose their humanity, and are not worthy to be a Buddhist. Buddhists are virtuous people, so they should speak with exemplary manners, see how to say it outright, without deceit. Except in the case of people's interests, they do not have the heart to tell the truth so that people are harmed or suffering. Because of their kindness to save the rescuers, they do not tell the truth. Not lying is keeping trust with people around. 5. Do not drink alcohol: Buddhism advocates enlightenment, if you want to be enlightened first, you have to be calm and awake, drink alcohol in your hot intestines, your mind is spinning, you will lose all your composure, you will no longer be lucid, contrary to the purpose of enlightenment. enlightenment. It is because of the maddening heat that there are people who, when drunk with sin, dare to do it, they are not afraid of any evil, lose all wages. Therefore, a virtuous person must abstain from drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol not only makes you lose your mind, but also causes illness in your body, and also harms your children's later stupidity. What a disaster for individuals and society. Buddhists, for the sake of enlightenment karma, for their own benefit, are determined not to drink alcohol. Except for the case of illness, the doctor tells them to use alcohol mixed with medicine to heal, Buddhists are allowed to drink alcohol until the disease is cured, then it will stop, it is necessary to report to the monks before drinking. III. Self-Benefits People who know how to keep the five precepts have formed the basis of morality and well-being for themselves. Without killing, we ourselves are not killed, or imprisoned for murder, nor do we have animosity over blood debt with each other. So we don't live in terror, fear, created by hatred. Without stealing, I myself am not imprisoned for theft, where or where to go without fear of suspicious followers. Going back and forth freely, coming and going safely, not happiness is what? If we don't commit adultery, we won't have to work hard to lose our minds, we won't be afraid of anyone talking about it, everyone will trust and believe in us. I am a virgin myself, making people love myself. I am safe on my own, my family is also safe. Don't lie, we don't have to regret, our words have self-worth, gaining people's trust. People who lie often will be underestimated by society, they will be suspected of anything they promote, and no one will support what they do. If we don't drink alcohol, we won't lose our minds, we won't make our bodies sick and weak, and we won't be despised by people while intoxicated. On the contrary, I myself am calm and calm, my body is healthy, I am respected by everyone. It's self-interest right now. If in the future do not kill, the body will live long; do not steal, get rich property; no adultery, beautiful body; do not lie, speak wisely everyone loves; Do not drink alcohol, clear mind. IV. Social Family Benefits Everyone in humanity considers life to be paramount. Respecting life is a civilized way of life, trampling on life is a barbaric human being. Knowing to keep the five precepts is a source of family happiness and a civilized lifestyle of society. Buddha looked directly at people, brought happiness to people, a peaceful life, a happy family, a civilized society, he created the five precepts. Life is the ultimate human value that everyone must respect. Because of respect for human life, Buddha forbids Buddhists from killing. Human life is sustainable, thanks to the nurturing property, Out of respect for people's property, Buddha forbade Buddhists not to steal. Human life needs a family, the family is the nest of humanity, that nest is shaken and lost happiness. Out of respect for the happiness of the family, the Buddha forbids Buddhists from committing adultery. Co-existence in the family and in society requires mutual trust. Without trust, it is impossible to feel compassion for loved ones. Because of bringing trust and love back to everyone, Buddha forbids not to lie. The order of the family and society is peace, a pretext for disturbance in the family and in the society is to disturb the general order. Out of respect for the order of the family and society, the Buddha forbids Buddhists from doing so. be drinking. Only in the five precepts, if any family fully observes it, that family will have happiness, harmony above and below, pure trust and love. if everyone in a thoroughly applied society is a civilized society, full of sympathy and love. We for our own benefit, for the happiness of our family, for the welfare of society, strive to uphold the five precepts. Keeping the five precepts is respecting humanity, a civilized lifestyle, and a moral foundation. V. Conclusion The extreme suffering of people is nothing more than, when they think of their lives being threatened, their money being lost, their loved ones being violated. This is the most severe human suffering. Because saving suffering brings joy to people. Buddha forbade Buddhists not to do these three things. Love does not exist forever, if people do not trust and sympathize with each other. This is also a secondary human suffering. Because in life without love, humanity is lost in the middle of the desert or wild forest, where is the love and affection to share, bitter and sweet. Wanting to bring love to humanity, First of all, there must be mutual trust and understanding, so Buddha forbade Buddhists not to lie. It is so much that we have seen the radiant compassion of the Buddha. The spirit of saving suffering and happiness of Buddhism is clearly expressed in these five precepts. Because we love ourselves and love others, we Buddhists must try to preserve and advise people to keep. That is the basis of the current and future human religion. We Buddhists must try to preserve it and advise people to keep it. That is the basis of the current and future human religion. We Buddhists must try to preserve it and advise people to keep it. That is the basis of the current and future human religion.END=NAM MO SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).WORLD VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST ORDER=BUDDHIST DHARMA WHEEL GOLDEN MONASTERY=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THE WOMEN OF THE SAKYA CLAN CHAN TANH.AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.30/12/2021.