[by S.N. Goenka The following article was first published in the June 1977 issue of the Hindi-language "Vipashyanā" Patrikā.]
My dear meditators!
Come, let us take refuge in the Dhamma.
Refuge in the Dhamma is greatly beneficial.
Dhamma is truth; it is the very law of nature, it is the law that applies to the entire world; everything is dependent on Dhamma. Every atom, every object, the entire universe operates on the basis of Dhamma.
Dhamma is boundless, infinite and illimitable. It exists in every particle, every atom. It is all-pervading, all-powerful and supreme. It is the supreme lord of the world, the very foundation of the world, the master of the world. Dhamma is the real refuge for those in need.
Dear meditators, whenever you face difficulties in life, due to storms or typhoons, or a feeling of helplessness, learn to take refuge in the Dhamma. Refuge in the Dhamma brings great relief.
At times a fiendish storm in the form of a war, or a famine, or an outbreak of disease may occur. Or great waves may rise up in a placid lake, and these high waves hiss at us like a poisonous cobra. Or perhaps a destructive, violent whirlpool threatens to pull everyone into it. At such times, even our friends may run away or avert their gaze. Even our near and dear ones are busy protecting their own lives; all those drowning are looking for anything to grasp that could save them. Friends and family members turn their backs.
At such times, my dear meditators, only the Dhamma provides us shelter. The Dhamma becomes our anchor; the Dhamma becomes our island. Refuge in the Dhamma is the true refuge. When a person is weak and in misery, if he surrenders himself to the Dhamma and begins to practice Dhamma with complete devotion and sincerity, the Dhamma then becomes his armor and starts to protect him. Dhamma never cheats, never belies our trust, never pushes us down. Meditators, at least learn to surrender yourselves to the Dhamma.
Meditators, I do not speak on the basis of what I have heard or read, I speak from my own experience. Truly it brings great relief when you surrender yourselves to the Dhamma, take refuge in the Dhamma.
But to take refuge in an abstract Dhamma is a difficult task. We have been used to taking refuge in a person with a physical form. And such a person, whoever he may be, that poor person is himself not at peace, insecure and in need of refuge. What refuge can he provide to others? Seeing a refugee turning to him for help, he will focus on securing himself. He will look to his own safety. How can a weak person help another weak person? What support can one orphan give to another? How can a blind man show the path to another blind man?
Therefore, take help from the strong and capable, though abstract, Dhamma. Take refuge only in the Dhamma. Even if only for a little while, try to look inward and allow yourselves to be in the flow of Dhamma. It will give you great strength and self-confidence. By being in the flow of Dhamma, we stop creating new habit patterns. It is because of this that an opportunity to get rid of old habit patterns comes, and the storms that have arisen due to these old habit patterns will begin to lose their strength automatically. This is how one takes refuge in the Dhamma.
Practice Vipassana when facing any difficulty. Your surroundings will be filled with hope and energy. Within a short time, all your sadness will begin to evaporate. The whole atmosphere will be filled with beneficial vibrations. Your future will be filled with auspicious joy.
That is why, oh meditators, come, let us take refuge in the Dhamma. Refuge in the Dhamma is truly beneficial.
S.N. Goenka
April- 2020