Taking refuge part 2

In continuing with last week Dhamma Talk, Sayadaw U Sumana added that taking refuge by means of paying homage should be done with faith and understanding.

Sayadaw pointed out that there are four type of paying homage, namely

1. Paying homage to a person because he is your relative or someone related to you or elders
2. Paying homage due to fear or order by the law or regulation
3. Paying homage to a teacher or someone that hold that position 
• [these three type of paying homage will not be the form of taking refuge as it is not done with understanding]
4. Paying homage due to the understanding of the attribute of that person

The  forth type is what taking refuge should be. Sayadaw said that by paying homage one had to remember the 9 attributes of the Buddha. Similarly, the attributes of the Dhamma and the Sangha

Therefore, Sayadaw advises members of BMBMC to take refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha systematically so that this action will be beneficial to us such as protection and safety to us.

Incidentally, tonight Dhamma talk will the last one for the year 2010 for Sayadaw U Sumana  at BMBMC.

Sadhu, Sadhu, Sadhu