Three Jewels
The Three Jewels (S. ratnatraya [alt. triratna]; P. ratanattaya [alt. tiratana]; T. dkon mchog gsum; C. sanbao; J. sanbō; K. sambo 三寶), or triple gem, refers to the principle objects of veneration in Buddhism.[1]
The Three Jewels are:
The key practice or ritual that established oneself as a Buddhist is to take refuge in the Three Jewels. In the context of taking refuge, the Three Jewels are generally understood as follows:
- the Buddha refers primarly to Gautama Buddha
- Within the Mahayana traditions, the Buddha can also refer to other Buddhas, or to Buddhahood[1]
- the Dharma refers to the teachings of the Buddha
- the Sangha refers to the arya sangha (those who have reached a certain level of realization)
