Teaching of the month - Jul 2026

SEEKING REFUGE IN THE THREE JEWELS

OM MANI PADME HUM
A Buddhist’s greatest treasure is the Three Jewels, which are entirely pure in nature. Seeking refuge in the Buddha is not about praying to Him for material gains and favours. Instead, it means that one is ready to adopt the practices the Buddha has taught.

It means that one reveres the Buddha, who became the Supreme Being through His great effort in attaining Self-Enlightenment; it means that one pays homage out of love for the One who, having discovered the Way, unselfishly reveals the greatest treasure ever discovered to mankind. It means that one seeks refuge not merely for protection, but to be guided by His Teaching, which inspires one to live righteously and nobly with the goal of becoming a Buddha for the sake of helping other suffering beings. It means that one is ready to follow the Path, which is not easy, but is worth all the efforts that one can expend.

Furthermore, one seeks refuge in the Dharma, which consists of the methods of cultivation, contains the Universal Truth, shows one the way to practise, and inspires those who embrace it to live in Truth and for the sake of spreading the Truth to others. Finally, one seeks refuge in those who have learned and are truly practising the Dharma—the Sangha. This community of ordained individuals has given up worldly pleasures and attachments for the purpose of attaining the goal of a spiritual life. These are very special beings who have dedicated their lives to cultivation, living in a manner that brings happiness to others; who have embraced the Dharma as their way of life for the sake of helping other beings. These are the ones who have understood the Noble Truths of Sufferings, who are weary of samsaric existences, and who have once and for all abandoned the worldly desires and attractions that cause craving. These are the ones who keep multiple precepts daily, far beyond the five or ten that lay Buddhists try to uphold. These are the ones who explain the Dharma and sincerely wish for the spiritual development of others with true joy. For these reasons, members of the Sangha must be revered, and refuge may be sought through them.

These are some of the reasons why one should seek refuge in the Three Jewels, as practitioners have done since beginningless time. To seek refuge is not to ask for favours or for things one desires, but to recognise the noble qualities of each of these Jewels so that we may live our lives meaningfully. But seeking refuge in the Three Jewels does not mean that everything in life will be rosy, nor does it guarantee that heaven awaits those who recite the refuge daily. The Prayer of Refuge may be recited, but this does not necessarily mean that those who recite it are living according to the Teachings. Knowing the meaning is important; practising what one has uttered through words of prayers is indeed the essence. The mind must be pure before the actions can be pure. Each day as you repeat this formula, be sure that it is not out of habit, but you truly mean what you utter in front of the altar, which bears witness to your daily vows.

Namo Buddhaya, Namo Dharmaya, Namo Sanghaya...!

Tuesday, 31st March 1983 (4th Moon 19th Day)