By K. Sri Dhammanand a 14th March, 1991, Buddhist Vihara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Those who be have in God would pray to him for help and protection when they experience fear,sorrow or disturbances. Many Buddhists ask to whom they could turn when confronted with the thoughts of fear, insecurity and helplessness. Under such circumstances,we can turn our minds to the Buddha and seek solace through him.
When Buddhists visualize the supreme qualities of the Buddha - his great victories, serenity and sacredness, and calm demeanor, their minds will be calmed and their confidence will grow. It is through calming their minds and focusing on this power that they are in a position to understand the nature of the disturbances and find the means to overcome their worldly suffering. Even tn many religions, God is not regarded as a person, but a force which is personified in the mind. By praying, their minds undergo the same process and the answer to their problem will become evident, as If by a miracle.
Many of our problems are caused by the mind itself. Therefore, the mind alone is able to solve them through proper understanding. When the mind ts properly settled by constantly thinking of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, it can help us to overcome our sense of helplessness, fear of evil spirits, and loneliness. As a result, self-confidence is restored. This, in short, is what is meant by taking "refuge" in the Buddha.
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