Thus, I have heard…
The recitation of the three refuges is the initial and
ongoing commitment to learn and experience Buddhism as a thinking
individual. It is the first step in ‘becoming’
a Buddhist. It is often a ceremony like
a baptism, but the volition is our own and the locus of control is from us
only.
Although the speaking of the three refuges occurs hundreds
of times in our practice as it is a common initial chant for all Buddhists who
are attending a ceremony or a workshop.
You will commonly hear it in ‘Pali’, the oldest of languages that
Buddhist scripture is in. Often the word refuge is replaced with
teaching or guidance as it is more active to take guidance than refuge. Refuge means to be safe from pursuit, danger
or trouble, a shelter. This is more of a
commitment to learn.
It is not like you are promising to join a gang or team or
something, it is a solemn oath to practice and really involve ourselves in this
learning. We say it three times to really settle it. In many traditions of old religion three is a
powerful number and saying anything three times meant it could not have been
said by accident or just jokingly.
Repetition also holds the following intentions: request for refuge, intention to observe
the refuges, acceptance of the vow to follow them.
Dhammam Saranam Gatchami…I go to the Dharma for guidance/teaching/refuge
Sangham Saranam Gatchami… I go to the Sangha for guidance/teaching/refuge
Dutiyampi Dhammam Saranam Gatchami…A second time, I go to the
Dhamma for guidance/teaching/refuge
Dutiyampi Sangham Saranam Gatchami…A second time, I go to the
Sangha for guidance/teaching/refuge
Tatiyampi Buddham Saranam Gatchami…A Third time, I go to the
Buddha for guidance/teaching/refuge
Tatiyampi Dhammam Saranam Gatchami…A Third time, I go to the
Dhamma for guidance/teaching/refuge
Tatiyampi Sangham Saranam Gatchami…A Third time, I go to the
Sangha for guidance/teaching/refuge
What am I taking refuge in?
This is called commonly the Three Jewels of Buddhism. There are deeper levels to this ceremonial
practice as well. We can understand it a
little better and deeper with this graph. In Tibetan or Vajrayana practice there is
often a fourth refuge in your guru or specific teacher, Theravada, Hinayana,
and Zen do not do this.
|
|
The Buddha
|
The Dhamma (Dharma)
|
The Sangha
|
|
Externally (outer refuge)
|
The teacher
|
The way
|
The guides
|
|
Internal (inner refuge)
|
Awakening
|
Experiential understanding
|
Making use of experience
|
|
Direct experience (secret)
|
Emptiness
|
Clarity
|
Unrestricted experience
|
When you practice and study
Buddhism as a philosophy, religion or spirituality you are taking refuge, in
ceremony you are taking it out loud for the whole universe to realize. You are making a vow to wake up. Often
in the ceremony it is lead by a monk or minister and you will receive a Dharma
name. This is a reminder of your new promise
to progress in this endeavor. It is
related to the Bodhisattva Vows as well as the Eight-Fold Path, among
others. The next step on the practice of Buddhism is
taking the 5+ precepts…
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