07/28/2024

Xiang Yun Temple's Taking Refuge Ceremony - Welcomes New Local Buddhist Participants

Reported by Ben Yu (Translated by Li Huang)

On the afternoon of July 28, Xiang Yun Temple held a Taking Refuge Ceremony for the Three Jems, with 26 individuals making a heartfelt commitment to take refuge. Along with over thirty family members and fellow practitioners who came to offer flowers and blessings, the Grand Shrine was filled with joy and cheers.

The ceremony was presided over by the Venerables - Jue Ji and Yong Jia - from Xiang Yun Temple. It was conducted entirely in English, accompanied by English-subtitled slides, making it a solemn and grand occasion. Venerable Jue Ji encouraged everyone by stating that while the taking refuge ceremony is brief, the path of self-cultivation is long. She blessed everyone to remain true to their initial resolve, gain wisdom and strength from the Buddha's teachings, and to make daily progress.

The ages of those taking refuge ranged from a six-month-old baby to an eighty-year-old elder, with an average age of only 36. Most of the participants were locals, many of whom were members of the Saturday English Dharma Service Group. The most notable were seven members of the Lai family, including the siblings, Meiwen Lai and Junwei Lai, along with their sister-in-law and children, who traveled from New Braunfels and Georgetown to take refuge together. After the ceremony, each new devotee filled with Dharma joy and eagerly sharing their happiness. Many immediately joined the Austin Buddha Light International Association, and dedicated to promoting Humanistic Buddhism.