Why We Take Refuge in the Buddha

Buddhists take refuge in the Buddha not out of fear of him, but to gain inspiration and right understanding for their self-purification.

Buddhists do not take refuge in the Buddha with the belief that he is a god or son of god. The Buddha never claimed any divinity. He was the Enlightened One, the most Compassionate, Wise, and Holy One who ever lived in this world. Therefore, people take refuge in the Buddha as a Teacher or Master who has shown the real path of emancipation. They pay homage to him to show their gratitude and respect, but they do not ask for material favors. Buddhists do not pray to the Buddha thinking that he is a god who will reward them or punish or curse them. They recite verses or some sutras not in the sense of supplication but as a means of recalling his great virtues and good qualities to get more inspiration and guidance for themselves and to develop the confidence to follow his Teachings. There are critics who condemn this attitude of taking refuge in the Buddha. They do not know the true meaning of the concept of taking refuge in and paying homage to a great religious Teacher. They have learned only about praying which is the only thing that some people do in the name of religion. When Buddhists seek refuge it means they accept the Buddha, Dharma, and the Sangha as the means by which they can eradicate all the causes of their fear and other mental disturbances. Many people, especially those with animistic beliefs, seek protection in certain objects around them which they believe are inhabited by spirits.

The Buddha advised against the futility of taking refuge in hills, woods, groves, trees and shrines when people are fear-stricken. No such refuge is safe, no such refuge is Supreme. Not by resorting to such a refuge is one freed from all ill. He who has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha sees with right knowledge the Four Noble Truths—Sorrow, the cause of Sorrow, the transcending of Sorrow, and the Noble Eightfold Path which leads to the cessation of Sorrow. This indeed is secure refuge. By seeking such refuge one is released from all Sorrow.

~K. Sri Dhammananda, in What Buddhists Believe