The Refuge Tree

This can be used for taking refuge, or for any other practice we do. It may be especially good for people with a connection to different teachers, and traditions, honoring them all, and receiving blessings from them…

In this practice we see the Buddha, ourselves and others, as having bodies that are made entirely of light. We see ourselves in a Pure land.

Imagine that you are in a large, open, sacred space, beautiful, adorned with flower gardens and wonderful trees, with birds sweetly singing…

The sun is brightly shining, as a few clouds float by… It’s a lovely day… perfect in every way…

We see before us now the Buddha, or our main teacher, at the center of what appears as a great Refuge Tree, surrounded by Bodhisattvas, and all our ancestral teachers, including our very own Root Teacher or Teachers…

These holy ones are all made entirely of beautiful light, and appear in the space in front and above us, on celestial clouds, on lotuses and moon cushions… They smile upon us…

Whatever is most pleasing and uplifting, that is what we see and feel before us now…

Have the sense that all these Noble Ones, the whole company of heaven and faithful here on earth are present…

As we recite verses of refuge and aspiration prayers, meditate, and recite mantra, we visualize that we receive blessings from the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, and from all the Bodhisattvas and Devas in the form of light and nectar. These dissolve into ourselves, and into all those we see as being with us now, our family and friends, those we don’t know, and those who are experiencing any difficulty at all…

We visualize that the light and nectar heals and calms, and nourishes, and inspires us all.

May all share in these blessings.

Meditate like this… Make prayers of aspiration…

To conclude, dedicate the merit to all beings.