Taking refuge in the Triple Gem
The contents
1. Introduction
3. The Symbolism of Taking Refuge
4. The benefits of Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem
5. Three Interpretations of the Triple Gem
Taking refuge in the Triple Gem constitutes the first lesson of a Buddhist follower. It represents confirmation of one's belief in Buddhist principles and one's dedication to Buddhist practice. It is therefore a formal indication of one's faith. Those who only express interest in Buddhism or merely pay respects by making offerings at the alter will not be considered as Buddhist followers if they have not taken refuge in the Triple Gem. This is similar to a student who will only be considered as a 'sit-in' if he has not been properly registered as a full time student at a school. Just as precious stones such as gold, silver and lapis lazuli are treasured gems of this world, the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are treasures that pertain to the supramundane and the gems of true wisdom. To learn and practise Buddhism, the first step is to take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Triple Gem is the collective term for the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Buddha is a Sanskrit term which refers to the fully enlightened one who has awakened to universal truth, and who, with total wisdom and unreserved compassion, can help others to attain enlightenment.
In Sanskrit, the word dharma carries different meanings. In the present context, it refers to the teaching of the Buddha, which is compiled in the Tripitaka. Those who cultivate wisdom in accordance with the Dharma will undoubtedly realise the Truth and attain ultimate liberation.
The Sanskrit term Sangha means a harmonious community. Here, it refers specifically to the community of monks or nuns. Two characteristics of the Sangha are consensus on their principles and harmony in daily affairs. The former refers to their common objective in severing from defilement with a view to eventually attaining enlightenment. The latter refers to their common acceptance of the following six guidelines by which they abide to ensure collective discipline in their actions, words and thought :1. To establish mutual understanding and reach unity of thought.
2. To establish a just system and attain equality for all.
3. To establish fair distribution and be in economic equilibrium.
4. To establish common interests and attain an open mind.
5. To establish peace and comradeship through cordial speech.
6. To establish harmonious interaction so that there is no infringement on personal liberty.The Sangha is beneficial to the individual in that it facilitates moral training and spiritual cultivation. It is beneficial to others in that it upholds rightful Dharma and helps to liberate all beings.
To the Buddhist follower, the Buddha is like the saviour, Dharma the incredible medicine, and the Sangha the tutors. All three play important roles in the liberation of sentient beings, and none is dispensable. Just as the Buddha were the doctor, Dharma the prescribed medicine, and Sangha the nurse, a patient cannot fully recover in the absence of any one of them. The Buddha, Dharma and Sangha can help to liberate us from our daily afflictions.
Compared to the precious jewels of our material world, the Triple Gem can therefore be considered as the treasure of our spiritual existence. They are the gems that will guide us towards emancipation from the cycle of life and death.
Further explanations with reference to the analogy between the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha with the Triple Gem are depicted in the Sutras as follows :
- Rarity - just as worldly valuables are not acquired by the poor, those who have not accrued enough blessings through past karma do not have the fortune of encountering the Triple Gem.
- Purity - just as humans value the sparkling clarity of precious jewels, so the Triple Gem is also valued for its purity.
- Power - just as precious jewels have the power to remove negative elements, so the Triple Gem embraces the potential for the six transcendental powers.
- Adornment - just as precious jewels can be ornamental, the Triple Gem can dignify and purify the practitioners.
- Excellence - just as the precious jewels are ranked the best in worldly materials, the Triple Gem stands high above all things worldly.
- Integrity - just as precious stones are not subject to change even under the most drastic conditions, the Triple Gem remains unaffected by the eight worldly phenomena of gain, decline, destruction, fame, praise, scorn, suffering and joy.
Taking refuge in the Triple Gem denotes a need for help and guidance towards liberation from the suffering of this world. A small child relies on his parents for protection; an elderly person relies on his walking stick to walk steadily; a seafarer needs the compass to show his way back to the shore; a person in darkness requires the light of a lamp to see where he is going. A child who is being bullied would only need to call for his mother, and she will be there to protect him. In the same way, the world is full of perversion, chaos and evil. With the guidance offered by the Triple Gem, life's right direction and security can be guaranteed.
The Triple Gem is also like the navigator who can bring the ship through the stormy seas into safe haven. Everyone knows he/she has to return home at the end of the day. Taking refuge in the Triple Gem and being mindful of its merits, we can rely on its protection and sail through the sea of life and death, eventually reaching home by returning to our true nature. Taking refuge in the Triple Gem allows us to rest in sanctuary, and ensure that we have a future home to return to!
Besides helping us attain ultimate liberation, there are ten worldly benefits which can result from taking refuge in the Triple Gem :
- It is a formal acknowledgment that one has become a follower of the great teacher Sakyamuni Buddha.
- In the Sutra, it is stated that one who has taken refuge in the Buddha will not fall into the evil Paths.
- It dignifies one's character as the level of faith progresses.
- In the Dharma-ending era, those who take refuge in the Triple Gem will be protected by the deities.
- Those who have taken refuge in the Triple Gem are respected by others.
- Those under the protection of the Triple Gem usually fare better in their daily encounters.
- In the Sutra, it is said that the merits derived from making offerings to Buddhas or building pagodas to pay homage to the Buddha's relics is relatively less significant than the merits of taking refuge in the Triple Gem.
- Taking refuge in the Triple Gem can reduce our worries and help foster good human relationships.
- It is only with this first step of taking refuge that one can progress onto acceptance of the Five Precepts, Eight Precepts or the Bodhisattva Precepts.
- With enough faith and the right conditions, all that have taken refuge in the Triple Gem will eventually be liberated, although it may be in the era of Maitreya Buddha, who is yet to come.
Various interpretations of the Triple Gem have been expounded in the Sutras. The most commonly known are as follows :
- The original Triple Gem : The Buddha who first attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and came to possess the thirty-two forms and eighty good marks was the earliest representation of the 'Buddha gem'. After enlightenment, the teachings of the Buddha as discoursed in the Deer Park on the Four Noble Truths, Twelve Links of Existence and the Three Dharma Seals are the earliest version of the 'Dharma gem'. The five disciples who were first ordained and attained Arhatship were the earliest representation of the 'Sangha gem'.
- The contemporary Triple Gem : This refers to the heritage of the Triple Gem after the death of Sakyamuni Buddha. All respectable images of the Buddha, in whatever material and art form, are considered to be the 'Buddha gem'. All the sutras in the Tripitaka, in whatever form of writing or language, are considered to be the 'Dharma gem'. All bikshus and bikshunis ordained for the observance of full precepts are considered to be the 'Sangha gem'.
- The Triple Gem within us : The moment the Buddha attained enlightenment, he exclaimed:" All beings possess the potential of the great wisdom of the Buddha. It is only due to their ignorance and attachment that they have not been able to awaken it within themselves." In fact, our 'self-nature' is endowed with the boundless merits of the Triple Gem. Everyone is potentially a Buddha, and hence the 'Buddha gem'. Similarly, everyone is basically endowed with the equanimity of Dharma, and the peace and harmony of the Sangha.
Taking refuge in the Triple Gem helps to give us guidance to understand, recognise and rediscover the Triple Gem within us. Each of us is like a treasure, and taking refuge is like exploring the treasure within ourselves. Without taking refuge, our own treasure would remain intact, without a chance of being excavated! Just before entering into Nirvana, the Buddha told his disciples :" Rely on yourself and the Dharma, and nothing else!" This well demonstrates the full meaning of taking refuge in the Triple Gem that is within us.
Although taking refuge in the Triple Gem is only a reflection of our spiritual inclination, formality is necessary as reinforcement of its commitment. The ceremony itself represents our faith and devotion, which provide the spiritual link with Buddha. In response, the Buddha extends his compassion towards us, thus forming consistent mutual communication. This was how the Refuge ceremony evolved.It is impossible to fill a contaminated vessel with clean water. Similarly, we cannot accept the Triple Gem if our minds are filled with arrogance, scepticism or impure thoughts. In preparation for taking refuge in the Triple Gem, we must therefore repent in earnest. Kneeling in front of the Buddha's representation and with joined palms, we must respectfully say the following thrice :
"I, ( name ) , as your follower, hereby take refuge in the Buddha of wisdom and virtue for as long as I live; take refuge in the Dharma which surpasses all desires; take refuge in the Sangha, the noblest among communities."
"May the most virtuous and compassionate be mindful of me, Upasaka/Upasika
( name ) , who pledge to be protective of all living beings. I forever take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha."Taking refuge in the Triple Gem is pledging to take on a commitment as the first step of cultivation. One therefore requires to be accepted by the monk presiding over the ceremony, who will give some basic teaching on the distinction between proper and deviant dharma as initiation.
A summary of the usual procedures is as follows :
- Pay respects to the Buddha three times.
- Welcome the monk.
- Chant in praise of incense.
- Say the name of Sakyamuni Buddha three times.
- Recite the Heart Sutra once.
- Take oath.
- Repent and vow.
- Gain formal acceptance.
- Discourse by the monk.
- Transference of merits.
- Bow to thank the monk.
- Bow to thank all the teachers.
1. Do we need to be vegetarian?
Having taken refuge does not mean that one needs to become vegetarian instantly. The ceremony itself is to solemnly indicate one's faith in the Triple Gem. People who have not taken refuge may be vegetarian, and those who have are not necessarily vegetarian. Taking refuge is unlike accepting a precept, which is binding. The commitment of taking refuge in the Triple Gem is only that of resolve and faith in following the Buddhist path. However, it is expected that those who practise the Buddhist teaching do gradually turn vegetarian as they progress in their cultivation, as the killing of other sentient beings for their flesh either as food or for profit is inconsistent with the Buddhist spirit of compassion
2. Can we still pay respects to our ancestors or the deities after having taken refuge?
The answer is positive. Taking refuge in the Triple Gem implies commitment to cultivate the Buddhist way. Buddhists can socialise with followers of other religious beliefs as well as be friendly and courteous towards them. Therefore, there is no reason why they should not show respect to their own ancestors and the deities. However, respect is not the same as belief, and we must be careful not to become superstitious.
3. Is taking refuge in the Triple Gem only a temporary act?
It is not meant to be temporary. It is meant to be an expression of genuine belief and lifelong commitment. In the Sutras, it is stated that for the Buddhist follower, even one day of practice out of step with the guiding spirit of the Triple Gem is equivalent to the transgression of a precept. For this reason, daily recitation of the Refuge vows may serve as a reminder for us to persist in elevating the level of our faith and practice, and reinforcing our will to seek the Truth and be liberated.
4. Is taking refuge in the Triple Gem a ceremony in honour of a spiritual teacher?
No, it is not. Taking refuge in the Triple Gem implies our devotion and respect towards the Buddha, Dharma and the Sangha. It is quite common to see people who have taken refuge to have regard for only one of the three gems. Some will pay respect to the Buddha without paying attention to the Dharma or the Sangha. Others may be interested in learning and studying the Dharma without paying respect to the Buddha and the Sangha. Still others may only pay respect to the Sangha and ignore the Buddha and the Dharma. There are even those who would only make offerings to a particular monk who is his teacher or treat the Buddha as the deities and worship them for ulterior motives. All of these are improper for Buddhist followers. True respect for the Triple Gem should manifest in sincere and ardent cultivation on the Buddhist path primarily through applying the Buddhist principles in one's thoughts, deeds and words in daily life. It is also beneficial to attend collective practice in monasteries and learn the Dharma or obtain guidance from virtuous monks or nuns. Buddhist followers must also have right views and deep faith in the law of 'cause and effect'. They should refrain from all evil and only do good. It is only then that they would have truly lived up to the spirit of taking refuge in the Triple Gem.