Taking Refuge

[Ayla]

So I have always wondered. When you go to take refuge what happens afterward? i read on some Thai blogs that you get a new name. Does this new name only apply to monks and nuns or for lay people who take refuge as well? And does this new name "foloow" you for the rest of your life?

I guess in short I am wanting to know all i can about wbat happens after you take refuge.

The reason I am asking is when I go back to Emaho in Phoenix I plan to take refuge (but I am wondering what happens afterward)

[SharpPudding]

 It's not necessary for taking refuge to receive a Dharma name. If you get one that is nice though. I'm honestly not sure where that practice of giving a Dharma name came about.

 You may actually get several Dharma names during your life. It seems you can really pick and choose which, if any, you want to go by.

 No, they don't have to follow you your whole life. I personally have given up a name because the "teacher's" lineage was impure due to a break in samaya. That name won't follow me anywhere anymore than the impure transmissions I've burned to keep samaya with qualified teachers.

[WayBackHome83]

Hi Ayla,

If you have, or can get hold of a copy of "Liberation in the Palm of You Hand" by Pabongka Rinpoche, it gives a detailed account of what taking refuge is, why it's important, the process and what happens afterwards in terms of practice and expectations.

http://www.amazon.com/Liberation-Palm-Your-Hand-Enlightment/dp/0861711262/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1293911012&sr=8-2

I hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Sandy

[SharpPudding]

Hmm I should get a copy of that too.

[goat]

I dont think this is stealing..here is a link

http://www.lamrim.org.uk/sa/publications/Karma_booklet.pdf

[SharpPudding]

lol Goat

 Generally speaking, I think of anything online as something I can save and show others for as long as I want as it's already on my hard drive. It's distribution of media (not links) that is a ethical gray area.