Objects of Refuge: Hierarchical and Symbolic Structure

Abstract

 The article examines a hierarchical and symbolic structure of objects visualized in the traditional vow-taking practice of Refuge. Goals. The paper seeks to outline the mentioned structure and identify roles (and significance) attributed to the objects of Refuge on the path of spiritual self-improvement in Buddhism. Materials and methods. The study analyzes a seventeenth-century Oirat manuscript serving a guide to the practice of Refuge. The employed interdisciplinary approach involves a variety of research methods, including those of philosophical, textual, and religious analysis. Conclusions. Refuge manuals constitute a special type of Buddhist literature that introduce ethical and religious instructions — in close connection with certain visualization techniques. Inter alia, there is an Oirat-language (in Clear Script) manuscript titled ‘The Door to the Teaching [and] Reflection on the Guide to the Practice of Refuge Referred to as ‘The Quencher of Hopes of the Pious’ (Oir. Šaǰin-du oroxoyin öüden itegeliyin kötölböriyin sedkilge sayin xubitani erel xangγaqči kemēkü orošibo). This manual is notable enough since, unlike other texts, it contains not only traditional instructions on performing visualization techniques and obtaining new knowledge during meditative practices — but also delivers about two dozens of didactic narratives. According to the Buddhist tradition, the one who has just taken the vow of Refuge feels (in the flow of his consciousness) the presence of an imperative determination to achieve Enlightenment for the benefit of living beings, which actually defines him as a Buddhist, i.e. an individual on the Path toward Enlightenment. With due regard of the outlined context, a hierarchy of objects of Refuge is articulated through the visualization technique and verbal affirmations to imprint the required objects or dogmatic directives in consciousness.