BuddhismSutra-obooko-mind0029

modern buddhism
The main reason why we need to make the determination
and promise to seek refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha
throughout our life is that we need to attain permanent liberation
from suffering. At present we may be free from physical
suffering and mental pain, but as mentioned earlier this freedom
is only temporary. Later in this life and in our countless
future lives we shall have to experience unbearable physical
suffering and mental pain continually, in life after life without
end.
When our life is in danger or we are threatened by someone,
we usually seek refuge in the police. Of course, sometimes
the police can protect us from a particular danger, but they
cannot give us permanent liberation from death. When we are
seriously ill we seek refuge in doctors. Sometimes doctors can
cure a particular illness, but no doctor can give us permanent
liberation from sickness. What we really need is permanent
liberation from all sufferings, and as human beings we can
achieve this by seeking refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Buddhas are ‘awakened’, which means that they have awakened
from the sleep of ignorance and are free from the dreams
of samsara, the cycle of impure life. They are completely pure
beings who are permanently free from all delusions and mistaken
appearance. As mentioned earlier, Buddha’s function is
to bestow mental peace on each and every living being every
day by giving blessings. We know that we are happy when our
mind is peaceful, and unhappy when it is not. It is therefore
clear that our happiness depends upon our having a peaceful
mind and not on good external conditions. Even if our external
conditions are poor, if we maintain a peaceful mind all the
time we shall always be happy. Through continually receiving
Buddha’s blessings we can maintain a peaceful mind all
the time. Buddha is therefore the source of our happiness.
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