The Three Jewels

Terms

Sanskrit : Triratna (त्रिरत्न)

Pāli : Tiratana

Etymology

The word Triratna is composed of :

— Tri: three;

— Ratna: jewel, precious treasure.

The term therefore means:

« The Three Jewels »

or

« The Three Treasures ».

In Buddhism, they represent the three fundamental refuges of the practitioner.

Translations in the major languages of Buddhism

Sanskrit: Triratna

Pāli: Tiratana

Chinese: 三寶 (Sānbǎo)

Tibetan: དཀོན་མཆོག་གསུམ་ (Könchok Sum)

Japanese: 三宝 (Sanbō)

Korean: 삼보 (Sambo)

Vietnamese: Tam Bảo

Thai: พระรัตนตรัย (Phra Rattanatrai)

English: Three Jewels

French: The Three Jewels

Definition

The Three Jewels constitute the heart of the Buddhist refuge.

They are:

The BuddhaThe Awakened One.

The DharmaThe teaching and the truth.

The SaṅghaThe community of those who practice and transmit the path.

For more than twenty-five centuries, millions of practitioners have taken refuge in these Three Jewels.

First Jewel

THE BUDDHA

The Buddha represents possible Enlightenment.

He reminds us that human beings can develop:

— wisdom;

— compassion;

— inner freedom.

The Buddha is a guide.

He shows the way.

Second Jewel

THE DHARMA

The Dharma represents:

— the Buddha's teachings;

— the understanding of reality;

— the path of inner transformation.

The Dharma is the path.

Third Jewel

THE SAṄGHA

The Saṅgha represents the community of practitioners.

It offers:

— support;

— transmission;

— inspiration;

— spiritual brotherhood.

The Saṅgha is the companionship of those who walk together.

Taking Refuge

In all Buddhist traditions, the practitioner states:

I take refuge in the Buddha.

I take refuge in the Dharma.

I take refuge in the Saṅgha.

This refuge is not a submission.

It is a free commitment to follow a path of wisdom.

Why are they called Jewels?

Jewels are rare.

They are precious.

They illuminate.

They possess lasting value.

The Three Jewels are considered the most precious spiritual treasures of Buddhism.

Understanding according to traditions

THERAVĀDA

The Three Jewels constitute the basis of all practice.

MAHĀYĀNA

They are seen as universal manifestations of Enlightenment.

VAJRAYĀNA

The Three Jewels are complemented by the Three Roots: the Lama, the Yidam, and the Protectors.

Associated Images and Symbols

THE THREE JEWELS

Traditional symbol representing Buddha, Dharma, and Saṅgha.

THE LOTUS

Purity and Enlightenment.

THE WHEEL OF DHARMA

Transmission of the teaching.

THE GATHERED COMMUNITY

Living expression of the Saṅgha.

Associated Concepts

001_BODHI

002_BUDDHA

003_DHARMA

004_SANGHA

013_REFUGE

019NOBLESENTIER

028_COMPASSION

030_SAGESSE

Quote

« I take refuge in the Buddha.I take refuge in the Dharma.I take refuge in the Saṅgha. »

— Traditional refuge formula

Buddhachannel — A Simple Practice

Today, take a few moments of silence.

Reflect on these three questions:

What inspires me? (Buddha)

What guides me? (Dharma)

Who accompanies me? (Saṅgha)

Answers can evolve throughout life.

Refuge often begins with this sincere reflection.

Keywords

Triratna • Tiratana • Three Jewels • Refuge • Buddha • Dharma • Saṅgha • Buddhist Path • Enlightenment • Practice

Buddhachannel Multilingual Buddhist Encyclopedia

011_TRIRATNA

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