Page 20 - EH60

18 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

the Truth of the Path. The last two
(Cessation and Path) are to comfort
us and convince us that we can be
fully protected.

Buddha gave teachings on Refuge
as a form of insurance, in case we
are unable to strictly abide by the
laws of karma and in case we are
unable to follow the 4 Noble Truth
teachings thoroughly. By taking
Refuge, there is at least one chance
- for one’s immediate next rebirth
- to be spared from a lower rebirth.
When death comes, with a mind of being activated in our mind, there teachings before adopting them.
Refuge in your heart, one will not be is not much space nor opportunity The second cause for Refuge to be
born into lower realms in one’s next for us to control our minds. Thus we well grounded in us, requires us to
rebirth. need to change the system. We need genuinely understand that there is
to change our “King” of ignorance an existence of the 3 lower realms
Death is certain, time of death and de-construct its negative (which are the results of negative
is uncertain. Just look back into kingdom. We should then appoint karma) and these 3 lower realms
history, even Shakyamuni Buddha the new king of wisdom realising are to be avoided; If we think
manifested death. Similarly, we emptiness, which will follow ethics about it, we are already having
can conclude that our aggregates and karmic law and cherish others; experiences like those in the 3 lower
will be exhausted at some stage. we need to appoint the “Ministers” realms- they come about from our
Death can suddenly come. It could of mindfulness and introspection to anger, attachment and ignorance.
be tomorrow. It could be 50 years help to guard our actions of body, We should think. “If I don’t stop
later. The moment of death is speech and mind. By being mindful getting angry or fail to purify the
totally unknown and by taking one is able to determine what is karma of being angry, I will suffer
Refuge, having this insurance to be adopted and what is to be the experience of the hell realms. If
of not being born in the lower abandoned and not allow negative I have boiling jealousy in my heart,
realms and possibly coming back emotions any entry. In this way, we it will create the intense karma to
as a human and hopefully, meet can gain total peace and happiness, throw me in the lower realms and it
the right spiritual path, meet the virtue and Dharma. would be just a matter of time. Right
Dharma. Look at our past and now, I can’t even bear a small cut.
present mental attitudes. We are How to have stable Refuge in the Imagine how it will be if I am born
completely directed by delusions Triple Gem in the suffering lower realms”.
– mainly the ignorant mind which There are two causes for Refuge to
blindly accepts the egoistic, self- be firmly established in our mental We have committed negative actions
identity. This ignorant mind brings continuum: One of the causes is many times and gained rebirth in
about other two main delusions irreversible faith due to knowing the lower realms such as crocodiles
of anger and attachment. These about the qualities of the Buddha, and killer-animals which constantly
two act like Ministers to the King such as his great compassion take many lives; we have been world
(ignorance) which further bring and wisdom. However, Buddha destroyers many times. Hence, we
about the 20 secondary afflictive adviced us not to blindly follow very much need the insurance of
emotions. With so many afflictions him but to reflect and analyze his Refuge.