REFUGE (Days 135-136)

1 The causes on which taking refuge depends (Day 137)

2 Identifying what to take refuge in (Days 138-142)

2.1 Why the Three Rare Sublime Ones are fitting objects of refuge

2.1.1 The Buddha is free from suffering and fear

2.1.2 The Buddha is skilled in guiding sentient beings

2.1.3 The Buddha has equal compassion for all sentient beings

2.1.4 The Buddha works for all sentient beings equally

3 The criteria for taking refuge (Days 143-152)

3.1 Knowing the good qualities of our refuge

3.1.1 The good qualities of the Buddha

3.1.1.1 The good qualities of the Buddha’s body

3.1.1.2 The good qualities of the Buddha’s speech

3.1.1.3 The good qualities of the Buddha’s mind

3.1.1.4 The good qualities of the Buddha’s enlightened activities

3.1.2 The good qualities of the Dharma

3.1.3 The good qualities of the Sangha

3.2 Knowing the differences between the Three Rare Sublime Ones

3.3 Taking refuge according to our beliefs

3.4 Taking refuge and not asserting another religion

4 The benefits of taking refuge (Days 153-160)

4.1 We become Buddhist

4.2 We become a candidate for all vows

4.3 We purify previous negative karma

4.4 We will easily accumulate a huge amount of merit

4.5 We are protected from the harmful actions of humans and non-humans

4.6 We will not fall to the lower realms

4.7 We achieve all our temporary and long-term aims

4.8 We will soon be enlightened

5 Advice after taking refuge (Days 161-169)

5.1 What to avoid

5.2 What to practice

5.2.1 Respect holy objects

5.2.2 Respect the written texts

5.2.3 Respect the Sangha

5.2.4 General practices