Of course there is an outer refuge – Buddha, Dharma and Sangha - because of its existence we can study and practise the Dharma.  Ultimately, however, it is the inner refuge to which we need to go for refuge; we need to assume responsibility for ourselves. Some people give away all personal responsibility to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha or to their lama and say “I have faith and devotion, so now it’s all up to you,” then they do as they want.  But if we commit negative deeds, we will inevitably suffer negative consequences; there is nothing that the lama can do to stop that happening.

~Gyalwang Karmapa’s teaching on the Torch of Certainty: Session Four

http://the17thkarmapa.blogspot.tw/2013/01/gyalwang-karmapas-teaching-on-torch-of_9.html