Taking refuge is the beginning of faith, understanding, practice and attainment. First, believe in and enjoy the Dharma, then understand the Dharma, practice according to the Dharma, and finally attain the fruit. Only with faith can there be joy. The body of faith must be joyful. Take refuge in Living Buddha Lian-sheng happily.
The meaning of taking refuge is to turn to, to rely on, and to be saved. Among the four refuges of Tantric Buddhism, "taking refuge in the Vajra Guru, taking refuge in the Buddha, taking refuge in the Dharma, and taking refuge in all the holy sages in the ten directions", the Vajra Guru is ranked first because he is the general holder of the Three Jewels. It is because sentient beings take refuge in the Vajra Guru that they can learn the Tantric Dharma, and it is also because of the support of the Vajra Guru that they can be saved by the Guru Three Jewels.
The blessed causes of taking refuge will attract blessings and increase the good roots and merits. Those who take refuge receive blessings, turn delusion into enlightenment, increase their blessings and wisdom, and then become pure in body, speech and mind, leave the sea of reincarnation of life and death, and achieve the holy fruit.

▲ 皈依和灌頂的重要
有的人以為，我只要守住善念，信佛、唸佛、拜佛，不皈依也不要緊，但是，他們不明白，這只是佛法的外相修法，要踏入真正的佛門，是要「內修」的，這種內修是長期的一種訓練，一定要真正的金剛上師指導。你去皈依，才能得到金剛上師傳授內修的「心法」。
佛教的密宗，灌頂有很大的功德，這一灌頂，就是將凡夫俗子一下子提昇為佛子。亦表示諸佛大慈大悲，已給予印記印心，得法緣也，可以從初發心至阿闍黎，已具足皈依灌頂儀軌，正式入門，是自行修至圓滿的「後補佛」。
密法最重視「傳承」，也最重視上師的「傳承加持力」，若無傳承加持力，修持密法絕對無法相應。
要入「真佛宗」修持「真佛密法」，一定要先皈依，受灌頂，這樣才算是正式入門。
※「真佛宗」的同修道場，歡迎大家旁聽及學習，但要真正的入門學法修行，一定要受皈依及灌頂才算因緣具足。

▲ 蓮生活佛為什麼是皈依的對象？
完全從恐懼煩惱中解脫的聖者。
具有解脫他人痛苦的大神通者。
對一切眾生具有慈悲心，有大誓願度眾生的聖者。
理上和事上均已開悟的聖者。在佛法浩瀚廣大的領域中，他能夠指點你如何走最善巧和捷徑之路。
※未皈依者，亦可耐心先持「蓮花童子心咒」，有所心神領會或感應，再來求皈依灌頂。短咒：「嗡。古魯。蓮生悉地吽。」長咒︰「嗡啞吽。古魯貝。啞呵薩沙媽哈。蓮生悉地吽。」

▲ 皈依「真佛宗」的條件
皈依灌頂，是人生重要的一環，是自己決心修行，要過著一種較合理，高尚的生活，對未來的成就具有信心和希望。
對「蓮生活佛」認識清楚，具有一顆「虔誠恭敬」的心。
無論對任何宗教有、無信仰者，皆可皈依「真佛宗」，學習「真佛密法」。

Methods of taking refuge

1. Come and take refuge in person.

2. Write a letter to convert.

3. Go to Sanlun Leizang Temple to ask for help in converting.

新皈依者入門篇

入門手冊

1. Why should we believe in Buddhism?
2. What is the difference between traditional Buddhism and Tantric Buddhism?
3. Why should we convert (what is the meaning of conversion)?
4. Why should we convert to the True Buddha Sect (convert to Living Buddha Lian-sheng)?
5. What is inheritance? What is fundamental inheritance? Does Buddhism in general have any inheritance?
6. The basic philosophy and purpose of "True Buddha Sect"
7. Why should we practice the "True Buddha Tantra"?
8. The precepts that true Buddhist practitioners should abide by after taking refuge
9. Basic concepts of “True Buddha Secret Dharma” practice
10. What are the necessary steps to practice the "True Buddha Tantra"?
11. . . . .

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How to take refuge in Living Buddha Lian-sheng

The importance of taking refuge empowerment:

Performing virtuous deeds, chanting and paying homage to buddhas are important. In addition, to advance the level of practice, it is necessary to do the inner cultivation which involves a long period of training. This requires the guidance of a real transcendental Vajra Master who can lead an individual to the right path to achieve results. In order to be a student, one has to take refuge and receive initiation empowerment blessing from a Vajra Master.

In Vajrayana, a person who has received the refuge empowerment from a Vajra Master, also becomes a disciple to the Buddha. This establishes the path of cultivation toward perfect enlightenment.

Vajrayana practice places heavy importance on refuge and transmission empowerment from the Guru, without which, it is quite impossible to achieve any result.