Congratulations! 🙏

Good question! The process can vary between the traditions, with ceremonies, etc., for laypersons. The Triple Gem refuge is generally when one wants to mark their intent. Laypersons may take the five precepts as well, and that may be at the same time as the triple gem, or later. For monastics, there are hundreds of precepts they follow, and a variety of ways one becomes ordained [depending on tradition].

@@AlanPeto Being I follow a few Buddhist channels on KZfaq with different teachers and traditions, i conflate many of their particular traits with each other. Many seem to have the 5 percepts when they mention what a Buddhist needs to do in their daily routine. Taking refuge in the triple gem seems much easier.

Ah OK, I understand your question. The Five Precepts are the basic layperson precepts. In Mahayana, which can also eventually advance to the Bodhisattva Precepts. However, the Triple Gem refuge is you might consider the 'entry' level for when one becomes a Buddhist. Interestingly, this does not necessarily mean you need to take the Five Precepts right away. A layperson is on a different path than an ordained monastic, so it can be nuanced among the traditions. So, a lay-Buddhist need not necessarily take or abide in the Five Precepts. This sounds a bit contradictory but a lay-Buddhist will be coming in at various levels (so to speak) of acceptance, knowledge, and faith, whereas an ordained Monastic has decided to go "all-in" with the religion and will take on hundreds of precepts (among giving up the worldly/householder life of a layperson). But, generally, the triple gem refuge is when you want to become a Buddhist ("officially"), and the Five Precepts would be your next step. However, there can often be a combined Triple Gem & Five Precepts ceremony. You may take whatever level you feel comfortable with as a layperson.

@@AlanPetothank you for your detailed explanation. Being a lay person, I watch the different traditions without a strong understanding of any individual one'. For your spending time providing a response I am very grateful. I will further investigate your previous videos with a strong sense of personal appreciation on my part. Thank you and may others find your work as beneficial to their practice as I have.

I became Buddhist in the Theravada tradition. And spent a total of six months in southeast Asia most of my time spent at amazing temples and talking with English speaking monks in Chiang Mai, Thailand and Siem Reap, Cambodia and attending chants. I went for Refuge in the Triple Gem and took the Five Precepts at a Khmer Krom Theravada Temple in Canada with the head abbot monk of the temple and another monk. The temple is supported by immigrant families from Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and parts of Vietnam, and Myanmar. The language I used in Going for Refuge and taking Five Precepts is Pali.

That's great, Robert! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip and experience.

Thanks Mike! Good hearing from you.

🙏

Thank you Tiara!

Yes, takkng the Triple Gem is the moment one becomes a "Buddhist". There are different traditions that have different views on this, but that is the general point where one moves from just observing Buddhism to wanting to put their faith in it and move along the path to enlightenment. Monastics are part of the Triple Gem. So, lay-Buddhists put their faith in the Triple Gem, which includes monastics. However, monastics go beyond that as they are the religious figures in our religion. They take ordination and vows specific to becoming a monastic. There are different traditions, and each have their own unique style so to speak. Lay-Buddhists, and monastics, in Mahayana may and can take Bodhisattva Precepts/Vows as well, as the Mahayana path is the path of the Bodhisattva. In both branches, there is the Five Precepts, which one can take when taking refuge in the Triple Gem, or later.

Great question! It's common and acceptable to be an "observer" of Buddhism, meaning you are interested, learning about it, and maybe even practicing a little, but you haven't made up your mind yet if you want to take refuge. Refuge is where you are ready to put your faith in the support of the Buddha, his teachings, and his monastic community (or, communities nowadays). But let's say you take refuge but don't do anything afterwards. You can look at it two ways. First, you're still a Buddhist if you believe in the Triple Gem, and have faith in it. There are plenty of Buddhists who have various levels of involvement with "being" a Buddhist. This is not only common, but human as well (something the Buddha understood well). But the second way to look at it is that this human life is rare and precious and best way to learn the Dharma (Buddha's teachings) and practice it! But, again, the Buddha realized that everyone is at different stages. So, that desire to practice is key (and there are many ways to do this). Then again, it's nothing to overthink if you haven't been practicing a while. While, yes, it is not 'helping' that you are not practicing...the impact is primarily on you. You'll find that Buddhists ebb and flow sometimes (again, a human trait) and that's why there are so many different ceremonies, rituals, classes, holidays, etc., to help us humans with not only practicing but keeping that spark of interest in continuing down the path.

Hi James! I don't personally know of any personally, but you may want to search the World Buddhist Directory to see if there are any there: www.buddhanet.info/wbd/

You can take it virtually with my video here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nNt6a6mDsLmreZs.html , and then you can always take it again with whatever Buddhist tradition and temple you join.

Hi Debdas! Your first step would be to see if you would like to be a Buddhist. Take your time! You can listen to talks by monks and nuns, read books, etc. I would recommend trying to find a temple near you (if possible) and interact that way. It's OK to be "observing" Buddhism while interacting with the services, classes, etc. When you are ready, there are often "Triple Gem Refuge" ceremonies at temples (sometimes online) where you "officically" become a Buddhist. Again, you don't have to do this right away but when you are ready. alanpeto.com/buddhism/become-a-buddhist/

@@AlanPeto Thank you sir, but online exception I have no way the monk and spiritual teacher and guide, I fully apprroch the Buddha Dharma. I am Indian and BR Ambedkar followers. There many problems in social and religious, I think this dharma for solutions of the problems. Can you solve my problems. If you contact me ather media I will appreciate.

Here are some options for you: You can take the Triple Gem refuge at home, by yourself. There is no mandatory requirement to take it in a temple or before a monastic, however that's the regular way to do it (because the Triple Gem includes the Sangha, or monastic community, as one of the gems). You can sometimes find temples or groups offering the Triple Gem "online". There is too many groups and temples out there to help me narrow it down for you, but if you found one you like and connect with...you might see them post about this (or you can ask). Easiest way is to search for a temple or group on social media and go from there. Just make sure it is an actual Buddhist organization teaching correctly. I would also like to point out there is no rush - you can very much be "learning" about Buddhism while still practicing. This is very normal. Books and videos might be your best bet right now, and there are many Buddhist monastics who have written books and also have videos up here on KZfaq. Eventually, you will be able to find a branch of Buddhism (Theravada or Mahayana) and a tradition within them you wish to follow. That way you will be focused on the path you'd like to take.

"It depends". At the most fundamental level, no, it does not matter. That being said, you're taking refuge in the Sangha. So, yes, that can be taken broadly, but it's usually more specific to the teacher and monastic community you're taking refuge in. Do you have a Mahayana temple or teacher you are following?

The Dharma (teachings of the Buddha) that explains that we are experiencing Dukkha, the cause of Dukkha, the revelation that Dukkha can be ended, and the path to ending Dukkha. This is the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path.