The Triple Jewel

Week of Oct 31, 2004 – The Triple Jewel

On Oct 24, some of you took refuge in the Three Jewels with HeShang. We know the Three Jewels are Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

On the Functional level:
1. The Buddha — Buddha Sakyamuni, the teacher
2. The Dharma — Buddha Sakyamuni’s teachings, the teaching
3. The Sangha — Buddha Sakyamuni’s disciples who preach his teachings, the taught

On the Attributes level:
1. The Buddha —The Body (Essence) of the Truth. The self awakened one.
2. The Dharma — The Appearance (Attributes) of the Truth. The nature of reality.
3. The Sangha — The Purpose (Function) of the Truth. The Awakened Community.

On the Essence level:
1. The Buddha — The capability of self-awakening. The original nature of the Heart.
2. The Dharma — What is to be realized. The reality.
3. The Sangha — The realization. Any harmonious assembly. All Beings.

The Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha are the Three Refuges in which Buddhists put their trust and reliance. Taking refuge is an important rite affirming or re-affirming one’s faith in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. It is a kind of Buddhist confirmation and is open to different levels of interpretation.

Ven. S. Dhammika of buddhanet.net wrote:

"A refuge is a place where people go when they are distressed or when they need safety and security. There are many types of refuges. When people are unhappy, they take refuge with their friends, when they are worried and frightened, they may take refuge in false hopes and beliefs. As they approach death, they might take refuge in the belief in an eternal heaven. But, as the Buddha says, none of these are true refuges because they do not give comfort and security based on reality.

Taking Refuge in the Buddha is a confident acceptance of the fact that one can become fully enlightened and perfected just as the Buddha was. Taking Refuge in the Dhamma means understanding the Four Noble Truths and basing one's life on the Noble Eightfold Path. Taking Refuge in the Sangha means looking for support, inspiration and guidance from all who walk the Noble Eightfold Path. Doing this one becomes a Buddhist and thus takes the first step on the path towards Nirvana."

Congratulations to those that have taken Refuge in the Triple Jewel. May your Bodhicitta never deteriorate. Keep on practicing!