2 Saturdays
October 17 + 24, 2026
In an outward sense, the refuge vow ceremony is a process by which one formally ‘becomes a Buddhist.’ In an inward sense, the process of contemplating the meaning of refuge and moving toward the three jewels—the Buddha, the dharma, and the saṅgha—for protection and guidance marks the beginning of our journey to freedom from fear.
During these two sessions on consecutive Saturdays this fall, Mitra Tyler will teach on the layers of meaning of the refuge vow and the commitments it entails and then serve as preceptor for the actual refuge vow ceremony. This program and the vow ceremony are recommended to anyone who has had a chance to study and practice the Buddha’s teachings for a while and would like to take their study and practice to a deeper level by taking the Buddha, dharma, and saṅgha as their primary guides for their path to liberation.
Those who are taking refuge vows for the first time are encouraged to attend both sessions. First-time vow recipients will receive a refuge vow certificate and a “refuge name.” If this opportunity speaks to your current inspiration, please join us!
Those who have already taken refuge vows but wish to refresh their vows and/or support and rejoice in first-time vow recipients are warmly invited as well. Family and friends of those taking the vows are also welcome (and do not need to take the refuge vows in order to attend).
presented by Nalandabodhi
Schedule
10:00-11:30 am
Registration
Nalandabodhi Seattle offers dharma teachings at no cost, but please consider making a donation if you are able.
Format
Onsite only
Registration Details
Please register below and look for an auto-email response (subject: “Registration Confirmation: Refuge Vow Program with Mitra Tyler Dewar”).
Please practice generosity when registering so that Nalandabodhi Seattle can continue to offer precious teachings like these to all who are interested in the dharma.
Questions
Please contact seattle@nalandabodhi.org if you have any questions.
Teacher
Mitra Tyler was born in Nova Scotia, Canada. He has been engaged in the study and practice of Buddhism since 1996, becoming a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche two years later. He began studying the Tibetan language in 1997, and became an oral interpreter and textual translator for Nitartha Institute and Nalandabodhi in 2000.
Tyler joined the faculty of Nitartha Institute in 2003 and was appointed as a senior teacher in Nalandabodhi in 2005. He has served as an oral interpreter for lineage-holding masters of the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. Tyler enjoys teaching on such topics as the four immeasurables, and exploring how the great Buddhist forebears inspire and inform life in the 21st century.
A musician and singer, he has participated in the creation of several ‘melodized’ liturgies and ‘dharma songs.’ Tyler is the father of an amazing daughter and lives in Seattle, Washington.
The “Mitra” title: In 2005, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche empowered a group of his long-time students to be senior teachers of Nalandabodhi. He gave each of them the title Mitra, which is drawn from the Sanskrit term Kalyanamitra, “spiritual friend.” The Mitras guide Nalandabodhi’s three paths of Study, Meditation, and Mindful Activity and teach throughout the world.
Date/Time
Date(s) - Sat., October 17, 2026
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Location Nalandabodhi Seattle @ Nalanda West
