10.11.2024 Finding Refuge in the Three Jewels   The three jewels — or “Triple Gem,” as I was taught — were the first Buddhist concepts to leave an imprint on me as a child. Admittedly, this might’ve been because the term, to my young ears, sounded like something straight out of a video game. But it was also thanks to the melodious Pali chant that began every religious gathering I attended: Buddham saranam gacchāmi Dhammam saranam gacchām Sangham saranam gacchāmi... Following my parents’ lead, I’d parrot my intention to take refuge in the Buddha, dharma, and sangha. Before long, I knew the words by heart, but had no sweet clue what I was actually saying. Throughout my youth, I’d recite them on autopilot — out of tradition and habit — never contemplating their meaning. It wasn’t until adulthood that I considered how the chant might not be purely ceremonial. And in recent years, I’ve realized the need to move beyond a literal understanding. Take the Buddha, for example. This first jewel refers, of course, to the historical figure, but it also includes other enlightened beings, both pre- and post-Siddhartha. Moreover, while this element represents the ideal, it also signifies our potential to attain that ideal. We all possess buddhanature. Dharma, the second jewel, represents the Buddha’s teachings. But finding refuge in the dharma isn’t necessarily about burying oneself in volumes of scripture. What truly matters is the consistent application of those teachings. Through practicing and integrating this wisdom, dharma becomes the path to awakening. Finally, the sangha conveys community. Initially, I thought this referred only to noble or monastic beings—awakened individuals, monks, and nuns — a view shared by many Buddhists. Later, my definition expanded to include all Buddhist practitioners, another common interpretation. But now? My personal notion of sangha encompasses all beings: those offering me comfort as well as those who test my patience. After all, the latter provides invaluable checkpoints on my spiritual path — opportunities to double down and deepen my practice — even if I don’t always recognize it in the heat of a moment. Below you’ll find pieces from the current issue of Lion’s Roar as well as our archive, all which explore the three jewels. While reading, I encourage you to reflect on the different insights you might unearth from this foundational concept, even if the (very human) impulse is to gloss over it. Revisiting the basics allows us to recommit to these teachings, and can even lead to deeper realizations. Our perspectives are constantly evolving, and we can often learn from what we think we already know. Whether this Weekend Reader serves as your introduction to the three jewels or your thousandth revisitation, I hope you find the refuge you seek. Rest assured, it’s always there for you. – Sandi Rankaduwa, assistant editor, Lion’s Roar Where to Find True Refuge in an Uncertain World   We all want security, yet too often we look for it in the wrong places. Br. Phap Huu on a safety that does not depend on circumstances. We invest in transient things because we can’t bear to be with ourselves. Most of us don’t have practices to take care of the pain that’s present in us both individually and collectively. If we mask our loneliness, anxiety, and insecurity, our internal world remains unexamined. This is precisely why running after fame, wealth, and power doesn’t work as a true refuge—it distracts us from ourselves, and from what really matters. ADVERTISEMENT Take Refuge in the Three Jewels If we take refuge in the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha, we are never alone. Three Buddhist teachers explain.   It also becomes clear that when we suffer, we’re more prone to cause harm to others, often to those we love dearly. Clearly aware of the effects of our actions, we commit to putting the dharma into practice to reduce our suffering, which in turn helps us cause less harm, be more fully present with people, and to see their full humanity. Furthermore, we’re more capable of recognizing and taking responsibility for our mistakes and identifying and taking appropriate actions to rectify them. In other words, putting the Buddha’s teachings into practice frees us from suffering and enables us to function in the world with more wisdom and compassion. Why We Take Refuge   There are two kinds of refuge. The reason we take refuge in the outer forms of enlightenment is so that we may find the buddha within. Taking refuge doesn’t protect us from problems in the world. It doesn’t shield us from war, famine, illness, accidents, and other difficulties. Rather, it provides tools to transform obstacles into opportunities. We learn how to relate to difficulties in a new way, and this protects us from confusion and despair. Traffic jams do not disappear, but we might not respond by leaning on our horns or swearing. Illnesses may afflict us, but we might still greet the day with a joyful appreciation for being alive. Eventually we rely on the best parts of our being in order to protect ourselves from those neurotic tendencies that create dissatisfaction. This allows for living in the world with greater ease and without needing to withdraw into untrustworthy circumstances in order to feel protected. LION’S ROAR PROMOTION