| There are many items that are sacred within | | | | |
| the dharmic religion of Buddhism, but the | | | | The second of the Three Jewels of Buddhism is |
| Three Jewels of Buddhism are the very | | | | Dharma, and the Gachchami for this is Dhammam |
| cornerstones of this religion and its | | | | sharanam gachchami, which means "I go to the |
| beliefs. | | | | feet of Dharma, the Eternal Law". The word |
| | | | Dharma literally translates into "the |
| Several parts of Buddhism make up the core of | | | | Teaching", and it is the laws and teachings |
| this religion. They include the Four Noble | | | | that were handed down to Buddha's followers |
| Truths and the Eightfold Path, both of which | | | | by Buddha himself. In the Theraveda |
| are beliefs that were developed by the Buddha | | | | tradition, Dharma consists only of these |
| when he was enlightened by meditation. The | | | | laws, but in Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism, |
| Three Jewels of Buddhism are similar, but | | | | there are other parts of Dharma that are |
| they can also be seen as the three things | | | | recognized. These include not only Kangyur |
| that Buddhists actually "give" themselves to | | | | (the teaching of the Buddha) but also Tengyur |
| in order to belong to this religion. The | | | | (the commentaries of Buddhist practitioners). |
| Three Jewels are Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. | | | | |
| | | | The third Jewel is Sangha. Sangha translated |
| The Three Jewels are also known as the | | | | into English literally means "the Community", |
| "Gachchamis". The first of these, Buddha, is | | | | and the Gachchami for Sangha is Sangham |
| stated as Buddham, sharanam, gachchami and | | | | sharanam gachchami, which means "I go to the |
| means "I go to the feet of the Awakened One". | | | | feet of the Sangha, the Awakened One's |
| The Buddha, as referenced in this jewel, can | | | | community". In Tibetan Buddhism, Sangha is |
| be taken to mean the historical Buddha, or to | | | | used to refer to all of the people who |
| mean the Buddha's nature or ideal within | | | | practice Buddhism and use the Buddha's |
| everyone. Buddha can also be taken to mean | | | | teachings to benefit themselves and others. |
| Buddhahood or the attainment of Buddhahood, | | | | In other sects of Buddhism, such as |
| meaning finding the pinnacle of your | | | | Theraveda, Sangha means the community of |
| spiritual and life potential. The name the | | | | practitioners and devotees that have fully |
| Three Jewels or the Three Gems also comes | | | | realized the nature of their mind - "Realized |
| from the Buddha, who was known as the Diamond | | | | Sangha" as well as those who are working |
| Mind. | | | | towards that goal "Ordinary Sangha". |