Contact the coordinator (Tejomayi) to arrange the time and place of the ritual. The ceremony is conducted individually or in a group before the altar under the guidance of a sannyasi (monk). It lasts about an hour.
Inner and Physical Purity
On the appointed day, observe the purification rules:
- Ablution — take a full-body ritual bath (snana) in the morning
- Fasting — abstain from food until the ritual is complete
- Clothing — come in clean clothing, preferably white (a symbol of purity and sattva guna)
Offerings
Taking Refuge is accompanied by an offering at the altar:
- Food and flowers — fresh fruit, sweets, or fresh flowers
- Dakshina — a voluntary monetary donation as a sign of gratitude for the transmission of the Teaching
How the Ritual Is Conducted
You stand before the altar in the presence of a representative of the Lineage:
- Invocation — a prayer proclaiming your intention (sankalpa) before the Refuge Tree
- Recitation of the text — you personally recite the complete text of the Creed, affirming each of its points in your heart
- Prayer for the Granting of Refuge — a supplication for faith, the wisdom of the rishis, and the purification of the past, present, and future
- Mantra — at the end, the Refuge Mantra (“Namo Guru Deva...”) is chanted, sealing the connection with the Three Jewels
What You Gain
From the moment of the ritual, you become an official follower of the Teaching and a disciple of Swami Vishnudevananda Giri. You gain access to the school, the right to study the basic methods of practice, and the opportunity to participate in the life of the sangha as a spiritual brother or sister.
Taking Refuge also means assuming certain ethical obligations.
