“Even if they don’t understand the implications, taking refuge could help children to develop a karmic link with the Dharma. Clearly they already have a certain karmic connection if they are in a Buddhist family or find themselves in a temple. Sounding out the refuge vow and going through the motions may increase their merit and create the precise auspicious circumstances for them to deliberately submit themselves to the Triple Gem in the future.

When I posed the question to Elizabeth Mattis Namgyal last year in Colorado—should children take refuge?—she took her time to answer thoughtfully…”  READ MORE