The Three Jewels of Buddhism
All Buddhist traditions agree on the need to take refuge in the Three Jewels (or Three Treasures) consist of the Buddha, the Dharma (Law or Teaching) and the Sangha (the community). Since Buddhism really a religion, is not accurate to talk of converting to Buddhism. However, a similar concept can be expressed by the formula "take refuge in the Three Jewels." This is the "sign of belonging" common to all schools and all traditions.
In Theravada Buddhism, "take refuge in the 3 Jewels" and observe the 5 precepts
- Do not kill living beings,
- Do not steal (not appropriate what is not given),
- Have no sexual misconduct or unfair,
- Do not lie,
- Not to consume intoxicating liquor
defines a person as a Buddhist practitioner.
Traditionally, the Refuges and Precepts can formally request a bhikkhu (a monaco) according to the following formula.
Lay bows three times and, with clasped hands, reads as follows:
Mayam a verbal ti-Saharan saranena bench silanes
yacama
Venerable Sir, we ask the 3 Refuges and 5
precepts.
Dutiyampi Mayam a verbal yacama ....
For the second time, Venerable Sir ....
Tatiyampi Mayam a verbal yacama ....
For the third time, Venerable Sir ....
Then the monaco recites the following verse three times, and taking refuge repeats after him:
Namo fee
bhagavato arahato
Samma-sambuddhassa
I revere the Blessed, the Noble, the perfectly awakened.
Thus, the monaco reads as follows a verse at a time, and taking refuge repeats:
Buddham saranam gacchami
I take refuge in the Buddha
Dhammam saranam gacchami
I take refuge in the Dhamma
Sangha saranam gacchami
I take refuge in the Sangha
Dutiyampi buddham saranam gacchami
For the second time, I take refuge in the Buddha
Dutiyampi dhammam saranam gacchami
For the second time, I take refuge in the Dhamma
Dutiyampi Sangha saranam gacchami
For the second time, I take refuge in the Sangha
Tatiyampi buddham saranam gacchami
For the third time, I take refuge in the Buddha
Tatiyampi dhammam saranam gacchami
For the third time, I take refuge in the Dhamma
Tatiyampi Sangha saranam gacchami
For the third time, I take refuge in the Sangha
So the monaco says:
Ti-Sarana-gamanam nitthitam
Taking the Three Refuges is complete.