3 refuges Flashcards
Meaning of the refuges for a Buddhist?
Practise and principle of taking refuge is central to buddhism, considered the foundation to following Buddhism
Often referred to as the 3 jewels as they are considered so precious and valuable
Why do u take refuge?
When your suffering is so great that you need help to resolve them. The Buddha dhamma and sangha are there as a form of support, guidance and strength.
By taking refuge you consciously identify enlightenment as your ultimate aim, meaning accepting the Buddhas analysis of what true happiness is and committing yourself to finding happiness, not in anything external (good job love friends) but through inner development and transformation
What does taking refuge give to Buddhists?
Gives them a sense of direction in life, offers goal of ultimate happiness and harmony in this life.
How do Buddhists take refuge
Recites 3 refugees 3 times
For first timers it takes place in a refuge ceremony held in a monastery
Intention in participating in a refuge ceremony is to follow Buddhism until enlightenment is attained
First refuge- The Buddha
When theravadins take refuge in the Buddha they express their respect and gratitude to him and recognise him as their ultimate teacher.
Taking refuge in the Buddha is a way to Honor the principle of wisdom and enlightenment within us, a principle that is to be supremely embodied by the Buddha
The second refuge- the dhamma
Dhamma denotes the universal truth, the laws of order inherent in nature- this has no beginning or end and exits whether humans are aware of it or not
Denotes the teachings of the Buddha shakyamuni- what the Buddha taught was the universal truth
Dhamma is a term used for the path that a person follows when they apply and practise the teachings of the Buddha
Dhamma refers to the personal realisation of the truths of Buddhism attained through learning the teachings, reflecting and meditating on them
The three higher trainings- moral discipline, meditation, wisdom
These three trainings comprise the complete path to enlightenment (all necessary to reach the goal)
Moral discipline: right speech, action, livelihood
Meditation: right effort, mindfulness, concentration
Wisdom: right understanding, attitude
Eightfold path
Right understanding-
Right attitude-
Right speech-
Right action-
Right livelihood-
Right effort-
Right mindfulness-
Right concentration-
Third refuge- sangha
Sangha is the word for the community of those who follow the Buddhist path
In therevada the sangha refers to the monastic community, the monks and nuns who have abandoned a materialistic life in order to lead an exemplary life of virtue
Buddhists take refuge in the sangha because they appreciate the way monks benefit the world by offering the opportunity to gain abundant and purifying merit
Lay people take refuge in the sangha by honouring the monks with respectable behaviour, gifts, food, clothing and by relying on them for advice and encouragement
