taking refuge wholeheartedly

On August 10, 2025, Yen Ming Temple celebrated the enlightenment day of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in advance, and fellow practitioners practiced Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Dharma.

After the practice, dharma sister Ann shared with everyone about “taking refuge wholeheartedly”.

Dharma sister Ann said that taking refuge wholeheartedly is very important in Tantric Buddhism. Living Buddha Lian-sheng has an article titled “taking refuge wholeheartedly” in his 256th volume of collected books, “Visiting the Masters.” Dharma sister Ann encouraged everyone to read it.

Simply put, taking refuge wholeheartedly means completely relying on, respecting, and obeying one’s root lineage guru.

The role model of taking refuge wholeheartedly is Milarepa of the White Sect. In his early years, Milarepa practiced evil practices and committed many negative karmas. Later, seeking liberation through Buddhist studies, he followed the great accomplished master Marpa. Knowing Milarepa’s heavy karmic obstacles, his guru, Marpa, subjected him to many severe tests. Marpa had Milarepa built a house, then demolished it, then built again, then demolished it again, repeatedly. During this time, Marpa often beat and scolded Milarepa, causing him great distress. However, Milarepa never harbored any resentment towards his guru, Marpa. Later, upon learning that Milarepa’s karmic obstacles had been eliminated, Marpa began to teach him the tantric teachings. Having received these precious tantric teachings, Milarepa diligently practiced and ultimately achieved great accomplishment.

So why is taking refuge wholeheartedly so important?

Ann explained: Because the root guru in tantric Buddhism represents all Buddhas, Dharmas, and Sangha, and the root guru in tantric Buddhism is the source of blessings, all merits of a practitioner’s practice derive from the root guru. Furthermore, our True Buddha School’s root guru, Living Buddha Lian-sheng, is a great accomplished master. Therefore, our guru possesses immense magical powers, blessing his disciples to eliminate karmic obstacles, increase their blessings, and achieve spiritual accomplishment.

Grand master once taught that an attendant for a highly accomplished guru can achieve great accomplishments without even practicing rituals. This statement fully illustrates that as long as one serves one’s root guru wholeheartedly with a selfless mind, one can receive the greatest blessings of the lineage.

Ann mentioned that Grand Master’s book mentioned a devotee who suffered from severe stomach problems. One night, he dreamed of his deceased wife, who said to him, “Your stomach ailment is the result of past life karma from killing. If you want to be cured, take refuge in Living Buddha Lian-sheng! He is the White Mahapadmakumara, is also Amitabha Buddha. Once you take refuge, your past karma will be cleared. After a short period of suffering for a month, you will be completely cured.” The devotee did so, and sure enough, a month later, his stomach ailment was healed.

This is one of the many examples of spiritual experiences within the True Buddha School, proving that Grand Master is truly a highly accomplished master possessing boundless magical powers.

So, how to practice taking refuge wholeheartedly?

First, after taking refuge in Grand Master, one must not receive empowerments from masters of other sects, or else the lineage will be lost. If one loses the lineage, one must take refuge again to purify it. Those who have received Dharma empowerment personally from Grand Master cannot re-empower other True Buddha School masters, otherwise the lineage will be disrupted.

Second, one must maintain the mindfulness of the root guru at all times of the day. Visualising Grand Master residing at the top of one’s head during practice and reciting the Fourfold Refuge are all ways to focus on the root mindfulness.

Third, one must practice according to Grand Master’s teachings and not allow the root guru to suffer from your actions. Grand Master wishes all disciples to truly practice. Therefore, practice is about following the teachings. Our past karma creates many bad habits, so practitioners need to constantly reflect on their words and actions, repent, and correct them. At the same time, they must uphold the precepts and not violate them, gradually purifying their body and mind. All of this is in accordance with Grand Master’s teachings.

Ann encouraged everyone to volunteer at Yen Ming Temple whenever they have time. She mentioned a dharma sister in Taiwan, one side of her face is black due to a large birthmark. After that dharma sister took refuge in Grand Master, she volunteered at the temple, mopping the floors. Gradually, she noticed that her birthmark became lighter, and eventually, it completely disappeared. Mopping the temple floors actually brightened her dark face, which had been affected by the birthmark. It was incredible. Therefore, volunteering at the temple also allows one to receive the great blessings of Grand Master, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, eliminating karmic obstacles and increasing merit.

Ann said that the blessings of the root guru are like the sun’s light, constantly illuminating and blessing every disciple equally. If we don’t receive Grand Master’s great blessings, it’s because we have accumulated a lot of karmic obstacles, which have shrouded us in a thick fog and prevented us from receiving Grand Master’s Buddha light and blessings.

Therefore, we must strictly observe the precepts. The most easily violated precepts are verbal offenses, such as slander, false speech, and defamation. Creating these sins can bring illness, obstacles, and even disaster to yourself, your family, and your children. Therefore, observing the precepts means treating yourself and your family well. This is also preventing Grand Master to suffer from your actions.

On the other hand, if others slander us, we shouldn’t let it stop us from serving at the temple. Instead, we should be grateful to those who slander us, because they are actually creating karma for themselves in exchange for blessings, helping us eliminate our karmic obstacles. Their slander can actually help us cultivate patience, diligence, and compassion.

Finally, Ann further explained the importance of taking refuge wholeheartedly by using a couple of examples. 

The first example: A dharma sister visited Seattle to see Grand Master. Before leaving, she went to say goodbye to Grand Master. Grand Master said, “Go to Los Angeles.” The dharma sister had originally intended to go somewhere other than Los Angeles, but Grand Master’s words prompted her to change her itinerary and fly to Los Angeles. On the plane, she met her true love.

Ann said, “Grand Master is a Buddha. He doesn’t speak much, but when he does, it’s the Dharma order.” The dharma sister understood taking refuge wholeheartedly, followed Grand Master’s instructions, and thus received Grand Master’s blessings.

The second example: A couple had been married for 10 years without a child. Eventually, they accepted the fact and stopped wanting children. During a sect-sponsored chanting event to invite the Buddha to remain in the world, they recited 108 times of the “True Buddha Sutra” for Grand Master. Miraculously, Grand Master appeared in their dreams and gifted them with a boy.

Ann explained: “The couple had been childless, but they didn’t blame Grand Master or complain about his lack of blessings. Instead, they chose to let go of their obsession with having a child. Later, they sincerely chanted sutras for Grand Master, praying for him with a heart of devotion, without any selfish motives. As a result, they received Grand Master’s great blessings and were blessed with a son.”

Dharma sister Ann reiterated that taking refuge in the Holy Venerable Living Buddha Lian-sheng is a great blessing accumulated over many lifetimes. We must cherish this hard-earned Dharma affinity, diligently practice, cultivate our own brightness and purity, and forever receive the protection of Grand Master’s lineage and blessings.

On August 10, 2025, Yen Ming Temple celebrated the enlightenment day of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in advance, and fellow practitioners practiced Wish-Fulfilling Jewel Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Dharma.

After the practice, dharma sister Ann shared with everyone about “taking refuge wholeheartedly”.

Dharma sister Ann said that taking refuge wholeheartedly is very important in Tantric Buddhism. Living Buddha Lian-sheng has an article titled “taking refuge wholeheartedly” in his 256th volume of collected books, “Visiting the Masters.” Dharma sister Ann encouraged everyone to read it.

Simply put, taking refuge wholeheartedly means completely relying on, respecting, and obeying one’s root lineage guru.

The role model of taking refuge wholeheartedly is Milarepa of the White Sect. In his early years, Milarepa practiced evil practices and committed many negative karmas. Later, seeking liberation through Buddhist studies, he followed the great accomplished master Marpa. Knowing Milarepa’s heavy karmic obstacles, his guru, Marpa, subjected him to many severe tests. Marpa had Milarepa built a house, then demolished it, then built again, then demolished it again, repeatedly. During this time, Marpa often beat and scolded Milarepa, causing him great distress. However, Milarepa never harbored any resentment towards his guru, Marpa. Later, upon learning that Milarepa’s karmic obstacles had been eliminated, Marpa began to teach him the tantric teachings. Having received these precious tantric teachings, Milarepa diligently practiced and ultimately achieved great accomplishment.

So why is taking refuge wholeheartedly so important?

Ann explained: Because the root guru in tantric Buddhism represents all Buddhas, Dharmas, and Sangha, and the root guru in tantric Buddhism is the source of blessings, all merits of a practitioner’s practice derive from the root guru. Furthermore, our True Buddha School’s root guru, Living Buddha Lian-sheng, is a great accomplished master. Therefore, our guru possesses immense magical powers, blessing his disciples to eliminate karmic obstacles, increase their blessings, and achieve spiritual accomplishment.

Grand master once taught that an attendant for a highly accomplished guru can achieve great accomplishments without even practicing rituals. This statement fully illustrates that as long as one serves one’s root guru wholeheartedly with a selfless mind, one can receive the greatest blessings of the lineage.

Ann mentioned that Grand Master’s book mentioned a devotee who suffered from severe stomach problems. One night, he dreamed of his deceased wife, who said to him, “Your stomach ailment is the result of past life karma from killing. If you want to be cured, take refuge in Living Buddha Lian-sheng! He is the White Mahapadmakumara, is also Amitabha Buddha. Once you take refuge, your past karma will be cleared. After a short period of suffering for a month, you will be completely cured.” The devotee did so, and sure enough, a month later, his stomach ailment was healed.

This is one of the many examples of spiritual experiences within the True Buddha School, proving that Grand Master is truly a highly accomplished master possessing boundless magical powers.

So, how to practice taking refuge wholeheartedly?

First, after taking refuge in Grand Master, one must not receive empowerments from masters of other sects, or else the lineage will be lost. If one loses the lineage, one must take refuge again to purify it. Those who have received Dharma empowerment personally from Grand Master cannot re-empower other True Buddha School masters, otherwise the lineage will be disrupted.

Second, one must maintain the mindfulness of the root guru at all times of the day. Visualising Grand Master residing at the top of one’s head during practice and reciting the Fourfold Refuge are all ways to focus on the root mindfulness.

Third, one must practice according to Grand Master’s teachings and not allow the root guru to suffer from your actions. Grand Master wishes all disciples to truly practice. Therefore, practice is about following the teachings. Our past karma creates many bad habits, so practitioners need to constantly reflect on their words and actions, repent, and correct them. At the same time, they must uphold the precepts and not violate them, gradually purifying their body and mind. All of this is in accordance with Grand Master’s teachings.

Ann encouraged everyone to volunteer at Yen Ming Temple whenever they have time. She mentioned a dharma sister in Taiwan, one side of her face is black due to a large birthmark. After that dharma sister took refuge in Grand Master, she volunteered at the temple, mopping the floors. Gradually, she noticed that her birthmark became lighter, and eventually, it completely disappeared. Mopping the temple floors actually brightened her dark face, which had been affected by the birthmark. It was incredible. Therefore, volunteering at the temple also allows one to receive the great blessings of Grand Master, the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, eliminating karmic obstacles and increasing merit.

Ann said that the blessings of the root guru are like the sun’s light, constantly illuminating and blessing every disciple equally. If we don’t receive Grand Master’s great blessings, it’s because we have accumulated a lot of karmic obstacles, which have shrouded us in a thick fog and prevented us from receiving Grand Master’s Buddha light and blessings.

Therefore, we must strictly observe the precepts. The most easily violated precepts are verbal offenses, such as slander, false speech, and defamation. Creating these sins can bring illness, obstacles, and even disaster to yourself, your family, and your children. Therefore, observing the precepts means treating yourself and your family well. This is also preventing Grand Master to suffer from your actions.

On the other hand, if others slander us, we shouldn’t let it stop us from serving at the temple. Instead, we should be grateful to those who slander us, because they are actually creating karma for themselves in exchange for blessings, helping us eliminate our karmic obstacles. Their slander can actually help us cultivate patience, diligence, and compassion.

Finally, Ann further explained the importance of taking refuge wholeheartedly by using a couple of examples. 

The first example: A dharma sister visited Seattle to see Grand Master. Before leaving, she went to say goodbye to Grand Master. Grand Master said, “Go to Los Angeles.” The dharma sister had originally intended to go somewhere other than Los Angeles, but Grand Master’s words prompted her to change her itinerary and fly to Los Angeles. On the plane, she met her true love.

Ann said, “Grand Master is a Buddha. He doesn’t speak much, but when he does, it’s the Dharma order.” The dharma sister understood taking refuge wholeheartedly, followed Grand Master’s instructions, and thus received Grand Master’s blessings.

The second example: A couple had been married for 10 years without a child. Eventually, they accepted the fact and stopped wanting children. During a sect-sponsored chanting event to invite the Buddha to remain in the world, they recited 108 times of the “True Buddha Sutra” for Grand Master. Miraculously, Grand Master appeared in their dreams and gifted them with a boy.

Ann explained: “The couple had been childless, but they didn’t blame Grand Master or complain about his lack of blessings. Instead, they chose to let go of their obsession with having a child. Later, they sincerely chanted sutras for Grand Master, praying for him with a heart of devotion, without any selfish motives. As a result, they received Grand Master’s great blessings and were blessed with a son.”

Dharma sister Ann reiterated that taking refuge in the Holy Venerable Living Buddha Lian-sheng is a great blessing accumulated over many lifetimes. We must cherish this hard-earned Dharma affinity, diligently practice, cultivate our own brightness and purity, and forever receive the protection of Grand Master’s lineage and blessings.