Three Jewels

The Three Jewels, also called the Three Treasures, Three Refuges, Precious Triad, or most commonly the Triple Gem (त्रिरत्न (triratna)) (Pali: tiratana), are the three things that Buddhists take refuge in, and look toward for guidance, in the process known as taking refuge.

The Three Jewels are:

  • Buddha
Sanskrit, Pali: The Enlightened or Awakened One; Chn: 佛陀, Fótuó, Jpn: 仏, Butsu, Tib: sangs-rgyas, Mong: burqan
Depending on one's interpretation, it can mean the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni) or the Buddha nature—the ideal or highest spiritual potential that exists within all beings;
  • Dharma
Sanskrit: The Teaching; Pali: Dharmam, Chn: 法, , Jpn: , Tib: chos, Mong: nom
The teachings of the Buddha.
  • Sangha
Sanskrit, Pali: The Community; Chn: 僧, Sēng, Jpn: , Tib: dge-'dun, Mong: quvaraɣ
The community of those who have attained enlightenment, who may help a practicing Buddhist to do the same. Also used more broadly to refer to the community of practicing Buddhists, or the community of Buddhist monks and nuns.

Read more about Three Jewels:  Refuge Formula, Importance, Explication, Tibetan Buddhism, History, Art

Famous quotes containing the word jewels:

    This was Pharaoh, direct descendent of our deity Amon, god of the sun, who rules the heavens as Pharaoh rules the earth. Again, he brought treasure, gold, and precious jewels taken from our enemies. For to Pharaoh riches were power and power was to be desired. And also again he brought many captives. For is it not by slaves that one becomes even richer and then has even more power?
    William Faulkner (1897–1962)