The Buddha knew it
would be difficult for people to follow his teachings on their own, so
he established the Three Refuges for them to rely on. If a person
wants to become Buddhists take refuge in and rely on the Buddha,
the Dhamma, and the Sangha. These are known as the
Triple Jewel or Triple Gems or Tri Ratana. The Sangha are the monks
and nuns. They live in monasteries and carry on the Buddha's teaching.
The word Sangha means 'harmonious community'. The Buddha, the Dhamma,
and the Sangha together possess qualities that are precious like jewels
and can lead one to enlightenment.
1Buddhabhivadana |
Pali |
English
Translation |
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma
Sambuddhassa |
Honour to Him, the Blessed one,
the worthy one, the fully enlightened one |
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma
Sambuddhassa |
Honour to Him, the Blessed one,
the worthy one, the fully enlightened one |
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma
Sambuddhassa |
Honour to Him, the Blessed one,
the worthy one, the fully enlightened one |
Tri Ratana
Vandana |
Pali |
English
Translation |
Buddham saranam gacchami |
I go to the Buddha as my refuge |
Dhammam saranam gacchami
|
I go to the Dhamma as my refuge |
Sangham saranam gacchami
|
I go to the Sangha as my refuge |
Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
|
For the second time I go to the
Buddha as my refuge |
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
|
For the second time I go to the
Dhamma as my refuge |
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
|
For the second time I go to the
Sangha as my refuge |
Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
|
For the third time I go to the
Buddha as my refuge |
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
|
For the third time I go to the
Dhamma as my refuge |
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
|
For the third time I go to the
Sangha as my refuge |
A refuge is a place
to go for safety and protection, like a shelter in a storm. Taking
refuge does not mean running away from life. It means living life in a
fuller, truer way.
Taking refuge is also
like a man traveling for the first time to a distant city. He will need
a guide to show him which path to follow and some traveling companions
to help him along the way.
-
The Buddha
is the guide.
-
The Dhamma
is the path.
-
The Sangha
are the teachers or companions along the way.
There is a special
ceremony for taking refuge with the Triple Jewel. With a sincere mind,
one recites the following verse in front of an ordained monk or nun.
I go to the Buddha for refuge.
I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
I go to the Sangha for refuge.
For
a Buddhist, taking refuge is the first step on the path to
enlightenment. Even if enlightenment is not achieved in this life, one
has a better chance to become enlightened in a future life. One who
takes the precepts is called a lay person or common man. Now we will
see each gem in detail. |