' The Three Jewels '...

1. Buddha (awakened one)

2. Dharma (teaching)

3. Sangha (assembly)

“I take refuge in the Buddha. I take refuge in the dharma. I take refuge in the sangha.”

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Question: "Why do we take refuge?"

Rinpoche: "Taking refuge is like a foreigner who has arrived at a new port and doesn't know anything.

If you meet a powerful influential person, he can help you; if you meet ordinary people, they can't do anything for you.

Similarly, in Dharma we have absolutely no freedom; we must take refuge in those who have realized the true nature of the mind.

Some people think that there is no need to take refuge in the Three Jewels and that they only need to take refuge in their own minds. But until we reach the highest goal of realization, there is no way to take refuge in your mind."



Kalu Rinpoche
Dharma Teachings
San Francisco: Kagya Droden Kunchab, n.d., p. 72