The Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha are called the Triple Gems because they represent qualities excellent and precious like a gem. Once we recognize these-unique qualities after careful consideration, and are confident that the Triple Gem can lead us towards True Happiness and Enlightenment. We take refuge in it. Therefore, it is not out of mere faith, but with an open-minded attitude and inquiring spirit that we begin practicing the Buddha's Teaching.
The Buddha as a Doctor.
The Buddha as a Doctor.
Refuge is likened to the doctor, medicine and nurse a sick person relies upon to be cured. We are like a sick person as we are afflicted with the illness of having many unsatisfactory situations in life. Seeking a solution, we consult a qualified doctor, the Buddha, who diagnoses the causes of our illness, the disturbing attitudes and the confused actions we have done under their influence. Then He prescribes the medicine of the Dharma, the teachings, on how to gain the realizations leading to Enlightenment.(1)
The Dharma as Medicine.
We must practice the Dharma, which is like the medicine the Buddha gave us, to attain Enlightenment. It is not enough just to hear the Dharma. We have to actively apply it in our daily lives and in our relationships with others. This means we try to be mindful and notice when disturbing attitudes arise. Then, we apply the remedies enabling us to perceive the situation clearly. If sick people have medicine but take it, they never get cured. Similarly, we may have an elaborate shrine at home and a huge library of Dharma books but if we, for example, do not apply patience when we meet a person who annoys us, we miss an immediate opportunity to practice the Dharma.(1)
The Sangha as Nurses.
Members of the SaNgha are like nurses who help us take the medicine of Dharma. The nurses remind us when we forget which pills to take. If we have difficulty swallowing huge pills, the nurses break them into smaller pieces for us. Similarly, the SaNgha helps us practice the Dharma correctly when we are confused. Any fellow practitioner who is more advanced than us can be our spiritual friend who can help us.(2)
The Dharma as Medicine.
We must practice the Dharma, which is like the medicine the Buddha gave us, to attain Enlightenment. It is not enough just to hear the Dharma. We have to actively apply it in our daily lives and in our relationships with others. This means we try to be mindful and notice when disturbing attitudes arise. Then, we apply the remedies enabling us to perceive the situation clearly. If sick people have medicine but take it, they never get cured. Similarly, we may have an elaborate shrine at home and a huge library of Dharma books but if we, for example, do not apply patience when we meet a person who annoys us, we miss an immediate opportunity to practice the Dharma.(1)
The Sangha as Nurses.
Members of the SaNgha are like nurses who help us take the medicine of Dharma. The nurses remind us when we forget which pills to take. If we have difficulty swallowing huge pills, the nurses break them into smaller pieces for us. Similarly, the SaNgha helps us practice the Dharma correctly when we are confused. Any fellow practitioner who is more advanced than us can be our spiritual friend who can help us.(2)
