Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

This seems like the right place to post but apologies if not. My practice is almost entirely Theravada in terms of praxis and aspiration but I have practiced with and drawn much inspiration from the Vajrayana schools in the past. A lama here in NYC who is a member of the Sakya lineage and with whom I have had an interview is offering the refuges and since I have never formally taken them I have asked to receive them. I guess what I'm asking is if such a thing is unheard of or (possibly even) frowned upon. I don't expect that the ceremony will include taking refuge in devas, dhammapalas or anyone other than the Tisarana so I can't see much possibility for conflict. I would just appreciate any thoughts or observations from anyone. Metta.

Mike

The only possible complication I can think of Khalil Bodhi is that sometimes Vajrayana Refuge is not just the Triple Gem, but they add a fourth which is Refuge in the Lama. You might want to reflect on how you would feel about that if it happened.

Sanghamitta,

Yes, that's certainly an issue and I would simply forgo the whole thing were that to be the case unless the Lama in charge would allow me to skip that step (which he might). But that was precisely my preoccupation. Metta.

MIke