Translation in progress.
True Buddhist faith is grounded in taking refuge in the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
The Buddha Jewel refers to all who have cultivated themselves through practice to attain complete virtue and perfect wisdom.
The Dharma Jewel refers to the principles and methods that guide us on the path to Buddhahood.
The Sangha Jewel refers to all who study and practice the Dharma, support others in doing the same, and uplift one another in their practice.
Buddhism is complete only when all Three Jewels are present. Of course, one can still practice Buddhism without taking refuge in the Three Jewels. However, once refuge is taken, you gain the support and blessings of fellow Buddhists, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, and the Dharma-protecting heavenly beings–in your thoughts, daily life and habits. Therefore, for those with weak will or insufficient faith, taking refuge in the Three Jewels strengthens both determination and confidence.
Why should one take refuge in the Three Jewels?
We believe that most Buddhists have never formally taken refuge in the Three Jewels. While those who have taken refuge will offer incense and pay homage to the Buddha, offering incense and worship does not necessarily mean one has completed the refuge ceremony. Even so, they still identify as Buddhists, and their belief should be respected.
Some would argue that sincere faith in the Buddha is enough, so formal refuge is unnecessary. Although this may sound reasonable at first, it does not uphold in practice. For example, a student must first register at a school. Otherwise, they have no official student status, and even if they sit in on classes, they still cannot earn a diploma. Normally, a student advances through each level of education in order: They begin by enrolling in elementary school, followed by more registration and examinations that determine eligibility for middle and high school and college. Skipping primary school and expecting to obtain a college degree or even a doctorate is simply impossible.
Thus, for those who wish to practice Buddhism, the path begins with taking refuge in the Three Jewels. While it is only the first step, it is essential—without it, there can be no second or third. Progress on the path always starts with this initial step. A Buddhist disciple’s standing is determined by the level of precepts they have vowed to uphold: taking refuge in the Three Jewels is the foundation; above it are the Five Precepts, the Eight Precepts, the Ten Precepts, the Bhikṣu and Bhikṣuṇī Precepts, and the Bodhisattva Vows—all of which are built upon this foundation.
Buddhism vows to free all sentient beings, a compassion reflected in the inclusiveness of taking refuge in the Three Jewels. In the Six Realms, all beings–humans, devas, asuras, hungry ghosts, and animals– are accepted if they sincerely vow to take refuge in the Three Jewels, except for those in hell, whose suffering is so overwhelming that they have no capacity to turn their minds toward the Three Jewels. Like school-age children, anyone may enter elementary school regardless of their socioeconomic statuses, appearance or ability. Progress beyond this depends on individual diligence and aptitude.
Some people believe they already have the ability to understand the sutras on their own, and that they can directly seek the path to Buddhahood through the texts. As a result, they think there is no need to take refuge, and that they can still benefit from practicing Buddhism in this way. In theory, this may seem reasonable; however, in terms of actual practice and established discipline, it is mistaken. The sutras were spoken by the Buddha (and in some cases by his disciples), and were later compiled and passed down through the generations by members of the monastic community. Focusing only on the sutras, while overlooking the Buddha who taught them and the Sangha who preserved and transmitted them, is essentially the same as taking refuge only in the Dharma. Such an attitude reflects a lack of gratitude. Although Dharma is at the heart of Buddhism, from which the path to liberation arises, it is through the Buddha and the Sangha that the Dharma is brought forth. For this reason, the Three Jewels are inseparable.
In terms of formal practice, someone who believes in the Buddha but does not take refuge in the Three Jewels is like a foreigner who loves the country’s culture, settles down permanently, but never becomes a citizen—yet claims to be a citizen. He may be welcomed by the citizens of his adopted country, but he is not, in the end, a citizen. No matter how much he may fulfill his civic duties, he ultimately cannot enjoy the full rights and privileges of citizenship. In the same manner, a person may practice and benefit from Buddhist teachings, but without taking refuge, they are not formally recognized as a Buddhist. While this may seem like a needless formality, it is actually a necessary step. As taught in the sutras, even those who do good deeds may still be unable to purify the karma accumulated over countless past lives. It is only after taking refuge in the Three Jewels and committing to uphold the precepts can one truly begin to dissolve their karma.
Taking refuge is not simply following the ritual, but also cultivating the right mindset towards the Three Jewels. In the ceremony, refuge takers recite with their speech, prostrate with their bodies, but their minds must also be fully engaged. Above all, what truly matters is the mind’s acceptance–receiving and internalizing the essence of the Three Refuges, the precepts themselves.
The Three Refuges and precepts must be transmitted by a Preceptor who has already taken refuge themselves. By passing down the Three Refuges from teacher to teacher through successive generations, the Dharma lineage is preserved. The Preceptor plays a crucial role; one cannot simply take refuge in the Three Jewels alone by making vows in front of statues of Buddhas or Bodhisattvas. Taking refuge is an important rite of passage and should be approached with the utmost solemnity and respect.
Simply put, it is impossible to become a truly faithful Buddhist without first taking the Three Refuges.
If someone believes in the Buddha’s teachings but does not honor the Sangha, they are acting in contradiction to the Dharma. The Three Jewels–Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha–are inseparable. To treat them as separate goes against Buddhism. Those who undermine or oppose the Dharma cannot attain the benefits of Buddhist practice. After all, if one truly believes in the Three Jewels, why not take refuge in them?
There are also people who are interested in Buddhism but have not yet embraced it. They are reluctant to take refuge in the Three Jewels, fearing that doing so may impose restrictions or become a commitment they cannot easily leave. As a result, they take a wait-and-see approach. They compare taking refuge to marriage: without sufficient understanding of the other person, they hesitate to commit, for fear that if their personalities and interests do not align, it could lead to a lifetime of unhappiness.
In fact, taking refuge in the Three Jewels is entirely different in nature from marriage. Rather, if we want to learn any skill, we need a teacher to guide us; otherwise, it is difficult to become truly accomplished. The benefit of learning from a teacher is that we receive their knowledge and expertise that has been passed down from their teachers and accumulated over many generations, spanning hundreds or even thousands of years. However, after learning a skill, we are not necessarily required to continue practicing it. Even during the learning process, we can stop if it no longer aligns with our interests. Once we have mastered it, we may choose to follow our teacher for life, but we are also free to leave and pursue our own path.
Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is similar to taking on the apprenticeship. If we wish to understand more of the Buddha’s teachings, we should start by taking refuge. Simply observing from the outside will leave us standing at the door; trying to understand the Dharma without entering is nothing but wishful thinking. The Buddhist path is not a prison, but a way to liberation. If taking refuge imposed limitations, the path could not truly lead to liberation. Buddhism certainly hopes that everyone will take refuge in the Three Jewels and continue progressing toward Buddhahood. However, because people are at different stages of their spiritual journey or life circumstances, some may not yet be ready to fully engage with the deeper teachings. Even after taking refuge, they are free to follow other religions or none at all. The most wonderful part is that, even after leaving the Buddhist path, the Buddha’s compassion always welcomes them back.
Therefore, I urge everyone to take refuge in the Three Jewels. Whether you are already a Buddhist or preparing to become one, are simply observing from the outside or even if you are a follower of another religion, try setting aside your preconceptions or existing beliefs for a moment, and consider taking refuge in the Three Jewels. You will gain real benefits and will not lose your freedom. Unless your mind is obstructed by strong delusions and adverse influences, once you have taken refuge in the Three Jewels, you will not turn away from them.
Translation in progress.
Translation in progress.