Refuge is required in Tibetan Buddhism to do certain practices and to receive empowerments.
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche taught “Taking refuge in the Buddha, the dharma and the sangha is something more than a ritual. By taking refuge, we are committing ourselves to freedom.”
I take refuge in the Buddha.
I take refuge in the dharma.
I take refuge in the sangha.
are the three vows one takes.
“In the Buddhist tradition, the purpose of taking refuge is to awaken from confusion and associate oneself with wakefulness. Taking refuge is a matter of commitment and acceptance and, at the same time, of openness and freedom. By taking the refuge vow we commit ourselves to freedom.”

HE Kalu Rinpoche will be performing the refuge ceremony for those who have not had it and would like to make this commitment. This ceremony is also a preparation for the Four Deities Empowerment that will be given on Sunday afternoon, October 28, 2018. If you have already taken refuge with a teacher, you may still attend the ceremony and remind yourself of the vows and commitment you have undertaken.

PLEASE ARRIVE 20 MINUTES EARLY TO GIVE YOUR NAME TO THE COORDINATOR OF THE EVENT.
It is customary to offer a katha (white scarf) and a money offering, and sometimes candles and incense to the teacher who becomes your refuge guru or root guru.