Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels

When one takes refuge in the Buddha, one vows for the rest of one's life not to seek or resort to depraves or demonic spiritual ideals. The Buddha is one's ideal of perfection. In taking refuge in the Dharma, one vows for the rest of one's life to avoid wayward paths and false teachings. The Dharma is teh true path. In taking refuge in the sangha, one vows for the rest of one's life not to rely on followers of wayward or false paths. As such, taking refuge in the Three Jewels of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha entails a very basic sense of restraint—commitment to proper spiritual ideals and attitudes, as defines by Buddhist tradition.

---Master Sheng Yen---