Synopses & Reviews
Taking refuge is the first formal step on the Buddhist path. This concise text explains that what is meant by refuge is protection and eventual freedom from the confusion and suffering of cyclic existence (samsara). Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche describes the genuine sources of spiritual refuge, which are called the Three Jewels: the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. He explains the importance of receiving refuge from an authentic and unbroken lineage of transmission, the role of faith and trust, and how to relate to the refuge ceremony itself. Rinpoche emphasizes the importance of taking refuge with the motivation to practice the path until we reach full spiritual awakening—and to do so not just for ourselves, but for the benefit and enlightenment of all beings.
About the Author
Khenpo Karthar Rinpoche was born in Rabshu in the province of Kham in eastern Tibet. He was born at sunrise on Mahakala Day, the twenty-ninth day, of the second month in the Year of the Wood Mouse, 1924. On this day, very early in the morning, Rinpoche's mother went to fetch water from the stream, carrying the full vessel of water home. Rinpoche was then born with no pain to his mother.
According to Tibetan tradition, all of these special circumstances show a very auspicious birth. Rinpoche's father was a devoted Manjushri practitioner who constantly recited the Manjushri Sutra. He would go to sleep reciting the sutra and when he woke up, he simply continued with his recitation. His practice was so strong that he was known to benefit even animals when they would die. When Rinpoche was quite young, his father taught him to read and write, as well as study and memorize Dharma texts. Rinpoche decided at a young age to follow the path of his older brothers, who were both monks. At the age of twelve he entered Thrangu Monastery in eastern Tibet.When he was eighteen years old, Rinpoche went to Tsurphu Monastery to visit the Seat of His Holiness, the Sixteenth Karmapa and the following year Rinpoche received his gelong vows from the Eleventh Tai Situ Rinpoche at Palpung Monastery. After the gelong ordination, Rinpoche returned to Thrangu Monastery, and soon after this he joined the year-long Vairochana group retreat, special to Thrangu Monastery. By the end of the Vairochana retreat, Rinpoche was very enthusiastic to participate in the traditional three-year retreat, which he began shortly thereafter. After completing the three-year retreat, Rinpoche expressed the heartfelt wish to stay in retreat for the rest of his life; however, the Eighth Traleg Rinpoche strongly advised him to come out to receive transmissions from Kongtrul Rinpoche and to join Thrangu Rinpoche and other lamas in the newly formed shedra (monastic college) at Thran