The Triple Refuge

The Triple Refuge

1. Taking refuge in the Buddha

   • Buddhists take refuge in the Buddha's absolute wisdom (panna) and absolute compassion (karuna)
   • Because he is the teacher of the dharma, which has been preserved by the sangha
   • founder of the sangha, therefore of buddhism
   • An example to Buddhists that enlightenment is real and possible
   • a perfect example of how to live according to the dharma and the noble 8 fold path.
   • Therevada and Mahayana views on the buddha
     • Mahayana views the Buddha by the trikaya doctrine
       • Nirmanakaya: the physical body
       • Dharmakaya: the truth body, not a physical body, but the Buddha who has achieved enlightenment
       • Sambhogakaya: Manifestation of the enlightened Buddha, through images in shrines, also the belief that Buddha teaches bodhisattvas and gods in celestial realms.
     • Therevada
       • focuses mainly on the achievements of the historical Buddha.

2. General background

   • Importance shown by strand of Buddhism 'Triratna' with literal translation as 'Three jewels'
     • To become a Buddhist recite; I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sangha. Repeated three times, sets apart from ordinary speech, ensure the mind dwells on each refuge.
     • Formula also repeated throughout the day (eg following meals, worships, ceremonies etc)
     • All this shows how important the 3 refuges are to Buddhists.
   • Modern refuges
     • People seek refuges in external things in the world to: Quest for absolute and permanent happiness and security (taking refuge in money) and to escape from the awareness of ones own mortality (alcohol, drugs)

3. What are Buddhists taking refuge from? They believe taking refuge in world things such as wealth, relationships, intoxicants is not a real refuge as it is impermanent.

   • Buddhists seek a permanent refuge from dukkha. The nature of dukkha is at the core of Buddhist doctrine (1st noble truth) So, refuge from dukkha is very important to Buddhists.
   • Dukkha caused by continued existence in samsara, for Buddhists is not 'hiding away' but confronting dukkha to overcome it, facing up to the thing that refuge is being sought from.

4. Importance in taking refuge in the Dharma

   • Shows how to achieve permanent release from dukkha and achieve nibbana.
   • Buddha made dharma accessible to everyone
   • It is important to understand the dharma through scripture (eg tipitaka)
   • Important to understand the dharma through practice eg vipassana (insight meditation) so that dharma is understood experimentally
   • dharma is important in preserving Buddhist teachings and practice
   • Venerable Karin Valham says 'dharma is a state of refuge in ones mind through developing compassionate states'

5. Sangha

   • In the context of the triple refuge refers to mendicants
     • In Mahayana Buddhism the arya sangha also includes bodhisattvas who vow to assist all living beings towards enlightenment before achieving final nibbana, paranibbana themseleves
     • Importance of the Sangha
       • transmit the dharma to junior mendicants and laity - deep knowledge is gained through religious study and practice.
       • embodiment of the dharma as they live according to the 8 fold path as closely as possible eg head shaving, few material possessions, alms gathering
       • Important dynamic between the lay and mendicant communities, Laity support mendicants materially, mendicants support laity spiritually
       • In terms of refuge...refuge for mendicants to achieve spiritual advancements
         • refuge to laity who seek guidance in religious doctrine and practice
         • All are seeking refuge from dukkha

6. Dalai Lama's view, 3 levels of refuge

   • 3. protection from immediate threat of rebirth in hell realm
   • 1.Attainment of buddhahood; bridge the gap between samsara and nibbana
   • 2. protection of suffering (negative states and emotions) due to conditioned states in samsara

7. Suzuki says 'the implications of taking refuge is to radically reassess personal priorities and goals; this is the first step on the path to inner freedom'

8. The act of going for refuge

   • Formal commitment to the triple refuge is expressed by reciting the formula of refuge, it is this act which marks the embracing of the Buddha's teaching
   • The importance of going for refuge can be demonstrated through a similie comparing faith to a seed - the mental act of going for refuge calls into play three cardinal virtues: understanding, will and emotion
     • These three faculties contained in the basic act of seeking refuge, are like a seed with the potential to develop into the flowers and fruits of the Buddhist spiritual life