Refuge Ceremony with Geshe Gelek - Healing Retreat 2026

REFUGE CEREMONY during the HEALING RETREAT on SAKA DAWA DÜCHEN

Sunday, May 31, 9:00am arrival time ~ offered in person only  On this Buddha Holy Day of Saka Dawa Düchen, Geshe Gelek has kindly offered to confer refuge, lay, and bodhisattva vows.  It is incredibly auspicious to be able to take these vows on one of the four great holy days, when the karmic effects of our actions are increased exponentially! **REGISTER HERE**  Registration is required only if taking refuge for the first time. The deadline to register is 6:00 pm, Friday, May 22, 2026 (register ASAP). Questions? Please contact program.linda@kadampa-center.org.

ABOUT TAKING REFUGE

The opportunity to take refuge is a rare one, and even more rare is the opportunity to do so during Kadampa Center's annual Healing Retreat and on the incredibly holy Buddha Day of Saka Dawa Düchen.  On this precious day, Geshe Gelek confers vows of refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, and also offers the optional opportunity to take the Five Lay vows as well as the Bodhisattva vows.  Taking refuge is making a commitment to Buddhism as one's spiritual path and creates a strong karmic bond to the refuge master.  During the ceremony, registered students who are taking refugle for the first time will be given their Tibetan refuge name by Geshe Gelek. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE REFUGE CEREMONY

Students who are taking Refuge for the first time:

• If taking refuge for the first time, students are required to pre-register HERE by 6:00 pm, Friday, May 22nd (please register ASAP).

• Students must make plans to be at Kadampa Center no later than 9:00 am to attend a madatory pre-ceremony orientation and rehearsal ~ this is very important!

• Students should bring two katas with them and a monetary offering (any amount) in an envelope for Geshe Gelek.

Students who have previously taken Refuge: 

• Please do NOT register for the Refuge Ceremony if you have previously taken refuge.

• Students are welcome to attend the Refuge Ceremony to take or renew their lay vows and/or to take Bodhisattva vows.

• Students are NOT required to register or attend the pre-ceremony orientation and rehearsal, but may do so if they wish.

Preparing ahead of time to take Refuge, both mentally and logistically:

• To prepare mentally (ahead of time) to take Refuge and the five lay vows (precepts), as well as the optional Bodhisattva vows:

  • Geshe Gelek recommends that anyone interested in taking refuge should read the refuge section in Liberation in the Palm of Your Hand (available for purchase in our Dharma Shop or as an eBook from FPMT's Foundation Store).

  • Students are also encouraged to listen to a teaching on refuge given by Geshe-la ~ listen to the recording HERE.

  • Learn more about vows from this article in FPMT's Mandala Magazine.

• To prepare logistically (ahead of time) for the Refuge Ceremony:

  • Bring two katas, as it is traditional to offer one to the Buddha statue on the altar and one to offer to Geshe Gelek.  Katas are available for purchase ahead of time in the Dharma Shop.

  • Additionally, it is also auspicious to bring a monetary offering (any amount) for Geshe Gelek in an envelope to show your appreciation for the incredible gift he has just given you with this opportunity to take refuge.  If you wish, you may also include a card expressing your thanks.