CHAPTER FOUR TAKING REFUGE IN THE TRIPLE JEWEL Taking Refuge means to return and rely. When we take refuge in the Buddha, we are returning from our deluded state of mind and relying upon an Awakened, Enlightened Mind. When we take refuge in the Dharma, we are returning from deviant views and relying upon proper views and understanding. When we take refuge in the Sangha, we are returning from pollution and disharmony and relying upon Purity of Mind and the Six Principles of Living in Harmony. Taking refuge in the Triple Jewels restores the complete wisdom and abilities of our Self-Nature. We will attain Purity, Equality, Honest, Freedom, Compassion and overall, True Happiness.
The Buddha Jewel Buddha is a Sanskrit meaning Awareness and Enlightenment. When we take refuge in the Buddha, we vow to return from blind faith and delusion and rely upon Understanding and Awareness as a way of life. Images of the Buddha serve as a reminder for us to practice awareness and understanding, and are not objects of worship. Prostrating and showing respect towards these images are only ways to counter arrogance and cultivate humility. This is taking refuge in the Buddha.
The Dharma Jewel Dharma means Proper Understanding and Views. Delusion has obstructed us from seeing the true face of people and the reality behind matters and objects. This has caused us to look at life and the universe in a distorted and deviant way. When delusion is cleared and our minds are pure to an extent, we give rise to wisdom. With wisdom, we are able to see all people and matters completely and clearly. When our hearts are pure, we can see the past, present and future. Only when we have clearly seen the Whole can our viewpoint and Understanding be considered Proper.
The Buddha's mind is pure without the slightest pollution and therefore sees everything clearly and entirely. We can rely upon the Sutras, recorded teachings of the Buddha, because they speak entirely of the truths the Buddha has seen. They teach and show us the way to attain Purity of Mind, to see life and the universe most clearly, and become just like the Buddhas. When we encounter sutras, we should immediately forth a mind of respect and remind ourselves to cultivate Right Understanding and Views. This is taking refuge in the Dharma.
The Sangha Jewel Sangha means purity and harmony. Today's world is filled with pollution; pollution of mind, spirit, views and body. Even the earth and the atmosphere are hazardly polluted. The Buddha taught, “The environment changes according to the mind.” We should return from all these pollution and rely upon purity of mind. Purity of mind is the key to saving our Earth.
There is also great disharmony in our world today, among spouses, families, friends, societies and countries which has brought us much suffering and many disasters. The Buddha taught us to rely upon the Six Principles of Living in Harmony to establish harmonious relationships between others and ourselves.
Sangha also refers to a group of four or more persons who practice the Buddha's teachings and abides by the Six Principles of Living in Harmony. This includes the life-home people we may encounter. When we see left-home people, we should immediately give rise to a mind of purity and harmony. This is taking refuge in the Sangha.
THE THREE REFUGES To the Buddha I return and rely, returning from delusions and relying upon Awareness and Understanding. To the Dharma I return and rely, returning from erroneous views and relying upon Proper Views and Understanding. To The Sangha I return and rely, returning from pollution and disharmony and relying upon Purity of Mind and the Six Principles of Harmony.
