What Are the Three Jewels of Buddhism?

The three jewels refer to the three aspects ofbelieve that Dharma is the 'phenomenon' itself. Religious
Buddhism that a follower of this religion takes refuge in.experts, too, are divided over the actual meaning and
The follower is guided in these three aspects. This is asignificance of Dharma. Some experts say that
process followed in order for a person be become adharma exists at two levels. The first level is that of
Buddhist. The Three Jewels of Buddhism, also knownthe teachings of Lord Buddha himself.
as the 'Three Treasures' or 'Triple Gems' include theThese teachings have been preserved by his
following:i. Buddhaii. Dharmaiii. Sanghafollowers, over the years, in the form of sutras. The
The Buddha here refers to taking refuge in both Lordother level of dharma is the path to and the goal of
Buddha, and the state of Buddha, which refers to theNirvana, or the state of enlightenment. But, there are
highest spiritual state, that a person can reach. Dharmaother religious experts who argue that dharma refers
refers to the teachings of Lord Buddha. Sangha refersto an individual's personal reality. According to this
to that community of followers that has attaineddefinition, therefore, dharma refers to those teachings
enlightenment. But, this term is often expanded toof the religion that a person is able to subject himself
include all the practicing Buddhists as well.to.
The process of 'taking refuge' is also known as tiTaking refuge in dharma does not just mean accepting
sarnana garnana in Pali language. This ceremony isthe teachings of Buddhism. It also means posing one's
performed in every Buddhism school, as it is thetrust in its principles and practicing it on a regular basis.
initiation of a person into this faith. An individual, wishingThe Sangha:
to adopt Buddhism as his faith, is asked to repeat theSangha remains, over the period of time, a disputed
following lines:term, simply because it refers to, or has three different
'I take refuge in the Buddha.connotations to it. According to the first meaning,
I take refuge in the Dharma.Sangha refers to all the practitioners of Buddhism in
I take refuge in the Sangha.'the world. As per the second meaning of this term, it is
Here, 'refuge' stands for protection against worldlyapplicable only to the ordained nuns and monks of
dangers such as suffering, emotional bonding, passion,Buddhism. The third connotation of the term Sangha is
fear of pain and death.also the strictest. It refers exclusively to those
The Buddha:followers of the faith who have realized the
As per Buddhist beliefs, Buddha is a person who is'emptiness' of the material life. The last definition of
able to conquer all his negative qualities and enhanceSangha is how the Buddhist scriptures describe the
his good qualities. This is the time when the person isterm too.
free from all the trappings of the material world. ThisThe Upaddha Sutra describes Sangha as the spiritual
state of mind is called Enlightenment. Lord Buddhafriends of all Buddhists. The Buddhist scriptures lay
taught his disciples that he was not God, but a mortaldown various conditions that should be followed in
human being. Anyone could become Buddha byorder to ensure the growth and advancement of the
attaining enlightenment, which was possible only whenSangha. Lord Buddha mentions the following conditions
the worldly emotions were discarded. Taking refuge inin Mahiparinirvana Sutra:
Buddha does not just mean becoming his follower or1. Sangha members should assemble together in large
disciple, it also means taking refuge in a body ofnumbers and frequently.
supreme wisdom and purity. In this, the concept of2. The assemblies should be formed and dispersed in
enlightenment itself is being referred to as Buddha.a quiet and orderly manner. No new rules should be
The Dharma:formed or the existing ones removed.
The term Dharma has been derived from Sanskrit.3. Followers should show respect, honor, esteem, and
With respect to Buddhism, the term Dharma hasveneration towards the elder Bhikkus.
several different connotations. However, its most4. Do not succumb to any craving.
important interpretation is that of Buddha's teachings.5. Do not take delight in; be pleased with, or fond of
Lord Buddha passed on various teachings to histalk.
disciples. But, the essence of all his teachings is6. Do not take delight in; be pleased with, or fond of
perhaps best encapsulated in the following line:sleep.
'I teach on suffering and the way to end it'.7. Do not take delight in; be pleased with, or fond of
This is the underlying principle of all beliefs and schoolscompany.
of thought in the religion of Buddhism. But there are8. Do not make bad friends.
some discourses passed on by Lord Buddha that still9. Do not stop halfway in your journey due to a small
stands out. For instance, the Four Reliances. The Fourachievement.
Reliances are a guide on how to approach and10. Have faith.
interpret the numerous teachings of Lord Buddha.11. Have moral shame.
These Four Reliances are mentioned below:12. Have fear of misconduct.
1. Rely on the teaching, not on the person.13. Be wise.
2. Rely on the meaning, not on the words.14. Be mindful.
3. Rely on the definitive meaning, not on the provisional.15. Cultivate mindfulness.
4. Rely on your wisdom, not on your ordinary mind.16. Cultivate egolessness.
There are other schools of thought that believe that17. Attend to other Buddhists with love and kindness in
Dharma refers to the laws of karma and rebirth. Thedeed.
Theravada school of Buddhism is of the belief that18. Attend to other Buddhists with love and kindness in
Dharma is the 'reason that certain phenomena occur'.words.
However, the Mahayana school of thought seems to19. Respect the offerings you receive.