Triple Gem is the collective term for the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
1. The Buddha
The one, who is self-enlightened, has realized the Noble Truths. He is the founder of the unexcelled Buddhism, being perfect in the threefold virtue as follows:
1.1 The Virtue of Wisdom: This implies His Enlightenment through His own efforts, which means the supreme knowledge of all things as they really are. Such Knowledge of his is unchangeable and timeless.
1.2 The Virtue of Purity: His mind is absolutely purified, freed of all passions or pollutions, there being for him no desire for nor aversion to anything or anybody, no attachment nor hatred towards all sentient beings.
1.3 The Virtue of Compassion: His compassion is of the purest nature, thereby being unilateral i.e. for the sake of the benefit and happiness of sentient beings themselves. Convinced of how beings are helplessly caught in the ocean of sufferings, He undertook the mission of helping them out of their plight.
2. The Dhamma
The word dharma carries different meanings. In the present context, it refers to the teaching of the Buddha, which is compiled in the Tripitaka. Those who cultivate wisdom in accordance with the Dharma will undoubtedly realize the Truth and attain ultimate liberation. Having been enlightened into the so-called 84,000 Dhamma-khandha (Aggregates or items of Dhamma), the Buddha shouldered the task of disseminating parts of the Dhamma of His discovery that would be conductive to beings' happiness, progress, peace and security. His teachings being based on the listeners’ tendency and maturity, He knew how to teach them part of the Dhamma that suited their capacity for practice. This so that they could be blessed with peace, progress and prosperity for their lives.
3. The Sangha
The term Sangha means a harmonious community; to establish mutual understanding and reach unity of thought; to establish a just system and attain equality for all; to establish fair distribution and be in economic equilibrium; to establish common interests and attain an open mind; to establish peace and comradeship through cordial speech; to establish harmonious interaction so that there is no infringement on personal liberty.
The Sangha is beneficial to the individual in that it facilitates moral training and spiritual cultivation. It is beneficial to others in that it upholds rightful Dharma and helps to liberate all beings.
The Benefits of Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem
Besides helping us attain ultimate liberation, there are ten worldly benefits which can result from taking refuge in the Triple Gem:
1. It is a formal acknowledgment that one has become a follower of the great teacher Sakyamunī Buddha.
2. In the Sutra, it is stated that one who has taken refuge in the Buddha will not fall into the evil Paths.
3. It dignifies one's character as the level of faith progresses.
4. In the Dharma-ending era, those who take refuge in the Triple Gem will be protected by the deities.
5. Those who have taken refuge in the Triple Gem are respected by others.
6. Those under the protection of the Triple Gem usually fare better in their daily encounters.
7. In the Sutra, it is said that the merits derived from making offerings to Buddhas or building pagodas to pay homage to the Buddha's relics is relatively less significant than the merits of taking refuge in the Triple Gem.
8. Taking refuge in the Triple Gem can reduce our worries and help foster good human relationships.
9. It is only with this first step of taking refuge that one can progress onto acceptance of the Five Precepts, Eight Precepts or the Bodhisattva Precepts.
10. With enough faith and the right conditions, all that have taken refuge in the Triple Gem will eventually be liberated, although it may be in the era of Metiya Buddha, who is yet to come.
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