DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - how does someone take refuge in the three jewels (dharma, sangha, karma) ?

**chipkluchi** · 03-19-2011, 01:04 AM

Obviously, I have no idea. When I read about taking this action I get really confused. I somewhat understand the teachings being dharma. I have no clue on the sangha part (is it referring to finding a teacher or guru?). And finally is karma just understanding cause and effect?

Hi friedenbaum,

The Refuge is in the Buddha, the Dhamma/Dharma and the Sangha.

In other words we take Refuge in the historical Buddha, his teachings,(Dhamma) and the ordained Sangha. ( plus lay gurus in Tibetan Buddhism)

You can repeat the Refuge x 3 in front of a Buddha image or you can take it formally at a centre or monastery.

If you take Refuge in Tibetan Buddhism then you also take Refuge in the Guru - and the guru comes first , so actually the Refuge become fourfold. This isn't done in the Refuge of Theravada Buddhism , even though you can have a teacher in Theravada.

There's some information about the Threefold Refuge here:

http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/tisarana.html

with kind wishes,

A-D

03-19-2011, 01:04 AM	#2
chipkluchi Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 398 Senior Member	Obviously, I have no idea. When I read about taking this action I get really confused. I somewhat understand the teachings being dharma. I have no clue on the sangha part (is it referring to finding a teacher or guru?). And finally is karma just understanding cause and effect? Hi friedenbaum, The Refuge is in the Buddha, the Dhamma/Dharma and the Sangha. In other words we take Refuge in the historical Buddha, his teachings,(Dhamma) and the ordained Sangha. ( plus lay gurus in Tibetan Buddhism) You can repeat the Refuge x 3 in front of a Buddha image or you can take it formally at a centre or monastery. If you take Refuge in Tibetan Buddhism then you also take Refuge in the Guru - and the guru comes first , so actually the Refuge become fourfold. This isn't done in the Refuge of Theravada Buddhism , even though you can have a teacher in Theravada. There's some information about the Threefold Refuge here: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/tisarana.html with kind wishes, A-D
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