This issue of Mountain Record explores the theme of "Taking Refuge." Within Buddhism, this refers to turning toward the Three Treasures: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Throughout the ages, spiritual teachers have taught the liberating power of relying upon something greater than our limited notion of ourselves. Shugen Sensei describes this reliance as "...wholeheartedness, undividedness; it is being without defense; it is seeing things as they are." Whether we use the language of Buddhism or speak of God, the questions naturally follow: what are we relying upon? How do we take refuge?
