The Buddhists take refuge in the Buddha not out of fear of
Him, but to gain inspiration and right understanding for their
self-purification. Buddhists do not take refuge in the Buddha with the belief
that He is a god or son of god. The Buddha never claimed any divinity. He was
the Enlightened One, the most Compassionate, Wise, and Holy One who ever lived
in this world. Therefore, people take refuge in the Buddha as a Teacher or
Master who has shown the real path of emancipation. Buddhists pay homage to Him
to show their gratitude and respect, but they do not ask for material favors. Buddhists do not pray to the Buddha thinking that He is a
god who will reward them or punish or curse them. They recite verses or some
sutras not in the sense of supplication but as a means of recalling His great
virtues and good qualities to get more inspiration and guidance for themselves
and to develop the confidence to follow His Teachings.
There are critics who condemn this attitude of taking refuge
in the Buddha. They do not know the true meaning of the concept of taking
refuge in and paying homage to a great religious Teacher. They have learned
only about praying which is the only thing that some people do in the name of
religion. When Buddhists seek refuge it means they accept the Buddha, Dhamma
and the Sangha as the means by which they can eradicate all the causes of their
fear and other mental disturbances. Many people, especially those with
animistic beliefs, seek protection in certain objects around them which they
believe are inhabited by spirits.
The Buddha advised against the futility of taking refuge in
hills, woods, groves, trees and shrines when people are fear-stricken: No such
refuge is safe, no such refuge is Supreme. Not by resorting to such a refuge is
one freed from all ill. He who has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Dhamma
and the Sangha sees with right knowledge the Four Noble Truths -Sorrow, the
cause of Sorrow, the transcending of Sorrow, and the Noble Eightfold Path which
leads to the cessation of Sorrow. This indeed is secure refuge. By seeking such
refuge one is released from all Sorrow. -- (Dhammapada 188-192)
In the Dhajagga Sutta, it is mentioned that by taking refuge
in Sakra, the king of gods or any god, the followers would not be free from all
their worldly problems and fears. The reason is, such gods are themselves not free
from lust, hatred, illusion and fear, but the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha
(i.e. the community who has attained perfection) are free from them. Only those
who are free from unsatisfactoriness can show the way to lasting happiness.
Francis Story, a well-known Buddhist scholar, gives his
views on seeking refuge in the Buddha:
'I go for refuge to the Buddha. I seek the presence of the
Exalted Teacher by whose compassion I may be guided through the torrents of
Sansara, by whose serene countenance I may be uplifted from the mire of worldly
thoughts and cravings, seeing there in the very assurance of Nibbanic Peace,
which He himself attained. In sorrow and pain I turn to Him and in my happiness
I seek His tranquil gaze. I lay before His Image not only flowers and incense,
but also the burning fires of my restless heart, that they may be quenched and
stilled, I lay down the burden of my pride and my selfhood, the heavy burden of
my cares and aspirations, the weary load of this incessant birth and death.'
Some people say that since the Buddha was only a man, there
is no meaning in taking refuge in Him. But they do not know that although the
Buddha very clearly said that He was a man, he was no ordinary man like any of
us. He was an extraordinary and incomparably holy person who possessed Supreme
Enlightenment and great compassion toward every living being. He was a man
freed from all human weaknesses, defilements and even from ordinary human
emotions. Of Him it has been said, 'There is none so godless as the Buddha, and
yet none so godlike.' In the Buddha is embodied all the great virtues,
sacredness, wisdom and enlightenment.
Another question that people very often raise is this: 'If
the Buddha is not a god, if He is not living in this world today, how can he
bless people?' According to the Buddha, if people follow His advice by leading
a religious life, they would certainly receive blessings. Blessing in a
Buddhist sense means the joy we experience when we develop confidence and
satisfaction. The Buddha once said, 'if anyone wishes to see me, he should look
at my Teachings and practise them.' (Samyutta Nikaya) Those who understand His
Teachings easily see the real nature of the Buddha reflected in themselves. The
image of the Buddha they maintain in their minds is more real than the image
they see on the altar, which is merely a symbolic representation. 'Those who
live in accordance with the Dhamma (righteous way of life) will be protected by
that very Dhamma.' One who knows the
real nature of existence and the fact of life through Dhamma will not have any
fear and secure a harmonious way of life.
In other religions, the people worship their god by asking
for favours to be granted to them. Buddhists do not worship the Buddha by
asking for worldly favours, but they respect Him for His supreme achievement.
When Buddhists respect the Buddha, they are indirectly elevating their own
minds so that one day they also can get the same enlightenment to serve mankind
if they aspire to become a Buddha. Buddhists respect the Buddha as their
Master. However, this respect does not imply an attachment to or a dependence
on the Teacher.
May all beings be well and happy & attain the fruits of
Nibbana.
Suranda Weediyage
BA, Tripitakachariya, Dip in Pali/ Buddhism (Pali & Buddhist University of Sri Lanka), HNDBF,
surandalk@gmail.com
http://www.thebuddhadhamma.wordpress.com
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