Originally posted by sinweiy:
in the question and anwser session, i heard from my sister-in-law, that there was a question asking Rinpoche, if one need to take triple refuge in order to enter Sukhavati/Dewachen? He replied Yes!
i also think so. Refuge in Buddha is not reborn in hell realm. Refuge in Dharma is not reborn in ghost realm. refuge in Sangha is not reborn in animal realm.
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Yes indeed! Taking refuge is very important.
That is because even rebirth in pure land cannot lack
'shan4 gen1 fu2 de2 yin1 yuan2'... otherwise even though he may have chanted Amitabha, rebirth may not take place.
From Amitabha Sutra:
"Those who desire to be born in that land must perform the three meritorious acts: first, they should attend dutifully to their parents, honor the work of teachers and elders, with a compassionate mind refrain from killing, and cultivate the ten virtuous acts;
second, they should receive and uphold the Three Refuges, keep the various precepts, and refrain from breaking the rules of conduct; third, they should awaken the mind that aspires for Enlightenment, believe deeply in the principle of cause and effect, read and recite the Mahayana teachings, and encourage those who practice the way. These three acts are called the undefiled acts."
Therefore, being virtuous, taking refuge and keeping precepts, and generation of Bodhicitta is very important.