I took refuge (my short story)

[Ayla]

Long story very short, For weeks now I have been thinking that after 10 years of being alone and practicing buddhism, that it was high time I find a teacher. I found out that there was a teaching on the 37 practices of a Bodhisattva and immediately decided that I wanted to go (if I could). It turned out that there was still space available so I went to the teaching.

After the first day of teaching, I had an interview with Khentrul Lodrö Thayé Rinpoche (on saturday 9-10-11 in the united states) I explained my situation and  asked him to be my teacher and he said YES. Then the next day (sunday, 9-11-11 in the united states) I finally took refuge in front of Khentrul Lodrö Thayé Rinpoche. I was given  the name Jangsem Lhamo. And again I am so happy I had to tell someone who would actually listen to me and not roll their eyes at me. Now all I have to do is ask him for a practice (while at the same time implement what he taught about)

[Joey]

Congratulations Alya! Big hug welcome to your first baby steps to being a Buddhist

[studyreligions]

I know this happened a long time ago now, but I want to express my happiness for you that you have taken refuge and found a Guru. It is extremely good fortune to be able to take refuge with a qualified Guru. Out of the countless sentient beings that tossed in the waves of the samsara, only very few have the merit to be born in the time that a Buddha has appeared. Even then, few are able to be born in an area where the Dharma is available. Even fewer have the merit to have an affinity for the Dharma. And even fewer take refuge. Therefore rejoice in this huge step as all of these causes and conditions to come together for you to be able to take refuge and practice the Dharma has the same chances for blind turtle who only surfaces the water every 100 years being able to go through a hole of a plank that is floating in the water.

Knowing how fortunate we are, we can't let this opportunity go to waste for death comes sooner than we all think... so we must practice.

[studyreligions]

For an animal to obtain birth as a human being
Is more difficult than for a blind turtle
To put its neck through a hole in a yoke adrift in the great ocean
So make your life meaningful, O king, by practicing the holy teachings.

Even more stupid than one who collects vomit
Into a golden vessel adorned with jems
Is one who, born as a human being
Indulges in negative deeds.

- Nagarjuna in Letter to a Friend