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THE THREE JEWELS

These are the three most precious things to Buddhists:

  1. The BUDDHA - our ultimate teacher, or more importantly an example, a model of what we can become. It is helpful to study the life of the Buddha to get an idea of who he was.

  2. The DHARMA - The ultimate truth as perceived directly by the Buddha, or the Buddha's teaching which represents the Truth.

  3. The SANGHA - the spiritual community of all those treading The Way. (Strictly, the monastic order counts as a refuge)

A REFUGE

  1. A refuge is a place of security in the face of a threat of danger.

  2. The danger here is SAMSARA (the round of rebirth) and DUKKHA (the suffering associated with it).

  3. The word 'refuge' does not imply escapism. To go for refuge to the Three Jewels involves facing up to realities.

  4. We all go for refuge in something, we seek security in something.. career, money, relationships.

  5. These things are not bad in themselves, but they cannot provide a reliable refuge as they are Impermanent.

GOING FOR REFUGE TO THE THREE JEWELS

  1. This means taking the Three Jewels as the basis of our spiritual life.
    From the very beginning of Buddhism, this decision has been the starting point of Buddhist spiritual life.

  2. This is a commitment. Without a commitment, we cannot make spiritual progress - we will just 'dabble' in the spiritual life.

  3. The suggestion that we must commit ourselves to something sounds daunting. However, commitment to the Three Jewels must be our own individual choice and not based on blind faith, but on what we know from our own experience.

The Pali formula for the Three Refuges is:

Buddham saranam gacchami
Dhammam saranam gacchami
Sangham saranam gacchami

repeated twice more with the prefix 'dvutiampi' first and then 'tatiampi'

Taking refuge in this way affirms or reaffirms one's faith in Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.
It is the essential act of the Buddhist life - it is what makes one a Buddhist. It is the simplest thing in Buddhism, and the most important.
Going for refuge is open to different levels of interpretation - on one level it may be affirming (or reaffirming) faith in the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, on the other it may be affirming faith or confidence in one's own Buddha Nature.. the Buddha within.

PRACTICAL WORK

Continue the practice of Anapanasati, at a set time and for a set period every day.
Take a little time to settle at the start of each session, think kindly to yourself 'may I be well' .. 'may I be happy' before you begin.
During meditation, whenever a thought arises, return your attention to the breathing. Don't suppress the thoughts and emotions that arise - that is 'I'-activity, 'I'-judging, be open to them, and let their energy fill you, without being carried away by it.
This attitude applies throughout your daily life too, keeping your attention on what you are doing, but remaining aware of what arises. If you can keep your life as regular as possible, this helps as a further framework to the practice.
Mental pictures or thoughts of all sorts tend to arise. Just note their presence but carry on with the practice. If they become frightening stop the practice. Try again in a few minutes.
If no problems arise, keep on with the practice.

 

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