user1046: How much discussion of refuge is there in the modern vipassanā movement (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipassana_movement)? If there is significant emphasis, what is its character? 
I am particularly interested in Western vipassanā circles such as IMS and Spirit Rock, but also their Eastern progenitors.
I am not speaking here of the formal ceremony or commitment of taking refuge as much as the concept and ongoing practice of refuge.

user295: By taking refuge you are aspiring to build the qualities of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha in your self than any ceremonial right or ritual.
There are virtues can also be further used as a form of recollection meditation to gain inspiration from the qualities and develop them within oneself:

Buddhanusssathi
Dhammanussathi
Sanghanussathi


user16632: Check out temples within the Mahasi lineage of Vipassana, or from Sri Lanka or Burma (where Vipassana has a stronger presence). Ven. Sayadaw U Pandita (Mahasi lineage)  was among the main teachers of those who founded IMS.
There you will find Vipassana practiced with traditional refuge in the triple gem, monastics, meditation taught along with moral virtue, etc. Whenever on retreat in these traditions, we take refuge, pay respect, give Dana, etc. I can't speak for the retreats at IMS though, but they do have monastic teachers there sometimes.

1046: <p>How much discussion of <em>refuge</em> is there in the modern vipassanā movement (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipassana_movement" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vipassana_movement</a>)? If there is significant emphasis, what is its character? </p>

<p>I am particularly interested in Western vipassanā circles such as IMS and Spirit Rock, but also their Eastern progenitors.</p>

<p>I am not speaking here of the formal ceremony or commitment of taking refuge as much as the concept and ongoing practice of refuge.</p>
 295: <p>By taking refuge you are aspiring to build the qualities of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhahood" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Buddha</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma_(Buddhism)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Dhamma</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sangha" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sangha</a> in your self than any ceremonial right or ritual.</p>

<p>There are virtues can also be further used as a form of recollection meditation to gain inspiration from the qualities and develop them within oneself:</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/15.7-Buddhanussati-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Buddhanusssathi</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/15.9-Dhammanussati-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Dhammanussathi</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/15.10a-Atthapuggala-S-a8.59-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sanghanussathi</a></li>
</ul>
 16632: <p>Check out temples within the Mahasi lineage of Vipassana, or from Sri Lanka or Burma (where Vipassana has a stronger presence). Ven. Sayadaw U Pandita (Mahasi lineage)  was among the main teachers of those who founded IMS.</p>

<p>There you will find Vipassana practiced with traditional refuge in the triple gem, monastics, meditation taught along with moral virtue, etc. Whenever on retreat in these traditions, we take refuge, pay respect, give Dana, etc. I can't speak for the retreats at IMS though, but they do have monastic teachers there sometimes.</p>
