[Asianunta]

It is possible through practicing Buddhism to glimpse the truth that all compounded things are inherently empty - in other words they are not self-standing but interdependent with everything else. And it is also possible to understand intellectually that the laws of karma exist to us as an alternative to the theist notion of an outside creator. Indeed the Buddha has kindly provided a guide to help us realise just this. He also told us to test his words and if we find them deficient in any way to ignore them.

As a Buddhist we take tefuge in the three jewels - the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. I think this taking refuge is simply agreeing with ourselves to put the Buddha-dharma to he test and enquire if there isn't something of benefit in it, something which will relieve our suffering.