The Means

Three Jewels

The Three Jewels

• The Three Jewels are the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha

• Also known as Three Treasures, Three Refuges, or the Tiratana

• The Dhamma could not have been taught without the Buddha, and could not have been followed without the Sangha, so the three are inseparable.

• They are known as the Three Refuges, because the Buddhist promise of devotion says:

“I take refuge in the Buddha,

I take refuge in the Dhamma,

I take refuge in the Sangha.”

• Taking refuge is making a promise to be devoted to the Buddha and his teachings.

• It is also a sign of the support structure of the religion – a refuge is somewhere you turn for security and guidance

Trikaya

• Trikaya = Three Bodies (of the Buddha)• This is a Mahayana concept, NOT a

Theravada one!• Theravada focus on the HISTORICAL

example of the man Siddhartha Gautama / the Buddha

• Mahayana see different aspects to ‘him’ – the historical and the supernatural / metaphysical side

Buddha - Trikaya

1. Nirmanakaya – Human form sent to teach humans / many different bodies (Siddhartha was one)

2. Sambhogakaya – Eternal Buddha / what gets embodied in human form, the ‘future Buddha’ Maitreya, etc

3. Dhammakaya – Ultimate reality / Buddha nature (in all beings)

Different Interpretations of Buddha (Historical V Trikaya)

TIMEHistorical Buddha Shakyamuni

Mahayana

Theravada

The Buddha is a historical figure ONLY – a ‘saint’. He left behind his teachings to show the ‘path’. Theravada Buddhists rely on themselves and the teachings only.

1 – Nirmana-Kaya (Physical Body) – Siddhartha Gautama [Buddha Shakyamuni]

2 – Dhamma-Kaya (Truth Body) – Qualities that make up the ‘buddha-nature’ / truth of reality.

3. Sambhoga-Kaya (Enjoyment Body) – e.g. Bodhisattvas

Dhamma

• Can mean ‘teachings’ / truth / way / etc

• It is sometimes used to mean Buddhism

• Usually seen as Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path

• Scriptures can be dhamma

• Central to Buddhism

• Like a raft – to be used to reach enlightenment

Sangha

• Community of Buddhists• Specifically monks• Monks = bhikkus• Can become a monks for life, or just a

short time• Monks live by 10 Precepts and many other

rules in Vinaya Pitaka scriptures (laity only use 5 Precepts)

• Differences between monks and laity will differ depending on school of Buddhism

Questions

1. Why are the Three Refuges important? (6 KU)

2. Explain each aspect of the Trikaya (6 KU)

3. What is dhamma? (4 KU)

4. What is the sangha? (2 KU)

5. Why are the Three Jewels important? (4 AE)