Buddhist-Meditation-Systematic-and-Practical

finding many consolations there, but at the same time
remembering the great dangers they had avoided. Thus
should one think about this world and the refuges.
If one does not think like this, the refuges are without
meaning. Even some bhiksus have not attained a proper
idea about refuge-taking. Instead of taking refuge in the
Dharma, which is the true teacher, they seem to become
monks only to get a wealthy patron, good food, a good
reputation, and so forth. If their guru orders them to go
and stay for a long while in a mountain hermitage, they
do not like to obey him, but if a patron invites them to
his house, immediately they go. Laymen also sometimes
think that these refuges are a sure protection from
worldly sorrows, and so take them to promote good
business, to get more money, a son, or to make a good
marriage. This is not sincerely taking refuge in the
Triple Gem at all.
Above is what we may call the negative side of the
refuges: one must see all the dangers of samsara before
one can really desire to escape from it. Moreover, this
ideal must be held very firmly in the mind.
b. Mahayana. From the sunyata sublimation in the
Mahayana, one discovers a positive transformation of
human life into the good conditions of Buddha-nature.
If one has not yet realized this sublimation, but has
finished the Hinayana preparations, the meditator
should ask himself: "Now that I am rid of painful
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