Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is merely the first step in entering the Buddhist door, and there are no taboos associated with it. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is like having to register before going to school, or like taking an oath of office before assuming the presidency after being elected. Similarly, one must be baptized to become a Christian. For the same reason, to become a disciple of the orthodox Buddhist faith, one must first undergo the ceremony of taking refuge in the Three Jewels.