1.3: The Three Refuges
· Buddha, Sangha and Dharma.
· Bodhi: Door Analogy-
o "door of entrance to the teaching of the Buddha."
· Cheng Yen who is Mahayana says:
o "The genuine 3 refuges, in essence, are none other than the enlightened Buddha nature that is already inside you."
Dharma:
· Universal truth, teachings and path of Buddhism.
· Ladder analogy: Climb to reach Nirvana.
· Buddhadasa: Fourfold model.
o Dharma is the phenomenal world as it is.
§ The duties to be performed in accordance with the laws of nature; and the results of fulfilling such duties.
· Samyutta Nikaya (Theravada):
o "He who sees me sees the Dharma."
o Buddha just represents the Dharma.
· Rahula on Dharma:
o "There is no term in Buddhist terminology wider than dharma. It includes not only the conditioned things and states, but also the non-conditioned, the Absolute Nirvana. "
· Thanissaro Bhikkhu:
o "A map showing how to take the external refuges and make them internal."
· Bodhi:
o "A state in the experience of enlightenment, having the dual function of realizing Nibbana and eradicating defilements."
· Mahayana:
o It is the teachings of the Buddhas and the realisation of enlightenment.
o 3 turnings of the wheel. (Sums up Buddhist knowledge.)
§ 1st turning: Buddha's sermons on the 4 Noble Truths.
§ 2nd turning: Perfection of Wisdom literature and sunyata.
§ 3rd turning: Buddha nature doctrine.
o Dharma is the manifestation of reality.
o Lotus Sutra sees the Dharma as "Empty space."
§ Devoid of meaning.
· Just instrumental in realising enlightenment.
Buddha:
· Theravada says...
o He is just an example of someone who achieved enlightenment. Dead and gone.
§ Just like us. No point in worshipping him.
o Buddha says...
§ "I — who am subject to death, not beyond death."
o Thanissaro Bhikkhu:
§ "not taking refuge in him as a person, but taking refuge in the fact of his Awakening: placing trust in the belief that he did awaken to the truth, that he did so by developing qualities that we too can develop."
o Bodhi:
§ "Supreme embodiment of purity."
· Mahayana says...
o Trikaya doctrine:
§ Earthly, heavenly and teaching bodies
o All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas figures of worship as in celestial realms, can be reached.
o Zen:
§ Worship Buddha nature, buddhas are not important.
o Pure Land:
§ Shakyamuni largely replaced by Amitabha Buddha, custodian of the Pure Land.
Sangha:
· The Buddhist community.
· The fourfold model:
o Bhikkhus, bhikkhunis, laymen and laywomen. (Bhikkhu = monk.)
§ Governed by vinya-Pitaka.
§ Bhikkhunis have 90 more rules and less chance for leadership.
· Buddhist ideals embodied by the poverty-stricken monks:
o Life without material attachments.
· Thanissaro Bhikkhu: Twofold: conventional and ideal.
o Conventional: Ordained Buddhist community.
o Ideal: Community of Buddhists who have "glimpsed the deathless."
· Bodhi:
o "An unchartered spiritual community."
Significance of Each Refuge:
Buddha: Exemplar of enlightenment, embodiment of the Dhamma.
Dhamma: Provides understanding, wisdom, and practices for liberation.
Sangha: Offers support, encouragement, and a model for Buddhist living.
Interrelationship:
The three refuges are interconnected and mutually reinforcing.
Taking refuge in the Buddha inspires faith in the Dhamma and motivates joining the Sangha.
Practicing the Dhamma deepens understanding of the Buddha and strengthens connection to the Sangha.
Sangha provides context and support for practicing the Dhamma and understanding the Buddha.
Interpretations:
Theravada:
Buddha as historical figure, teacher, not divine being.
Dhamma as practical teachings, not revealed scripture.
Sangha primarily monastic, offering guidance and inspiration.
Mahayana:
Buddha may be seen as transcendent figure, embodiment of compassion.
Dhamma may include diverse texts and interpretations.
Sangha broader, including laypeople and diverse traditions.
Implications for Worship and Daily Life:
Refuges guide ethical conduct, meditation practice, and study.
Inspire devotion, gratitude, and commitment to Buddhist principles.
Inform decision-making, relationships, and engagement with the world.
Three Refuges – B Bodhi and T Bhikku
Bodhi on 3 refuges = ‘door of entrance to the teaching of the Buddha’ (door analogy)
T Bhikkhu on Dharma = ‘Dharma… refers to the path of practice the Buddha taught to his followers’
T Bhikkhu on taking refuge in the Dharma = ‘a map showing how to take the external refuges and make them internal’
Bodhi on the Dharma = ‘the actual refuge’
T Bhikkhu on the Buddha = ‘not taking refuge in him as a person, but taking refuge in the fact of his awakening’
Bodhi on the Buddha = ‘not a saviour’ and a ‘peerless teacher’
T Bhikkhu on the Sangha = ‘Economy of gifts’ & ‘a gift which gives both ways’
Bodhi on the Sangha = ‘Custodian of the Dhamma’
T Bhikkhu on 3 refuges together = ‘an interconnected self’ & ‘the internal level is where true refuge is found’
OTHER
Bhikkhu Bodhi: "Taking refuge is not blind faith, but a commitment to explore the Dhamma and learn from the Sangha."
Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu: "The refuges are a dynamic process, not a static declaration. As we practice, our understanding deepens."
Three Refuges:
Buddha: Awakened one, teacher and guide
Dhamma: Teachings of the Buddha, path to liberation
Sangha: Community of Buddhist practitioners
Refuge: Source of strength, guidance, and support
Theravada: "School of the Elders," emphasizes individual liberation
Mahayana: "Great Vehicle," emphasizes universal liberation for all beings
B Bodhi and T Bhikkhu.
Tr
Th
Nat.
Some philosophers
Section A
Examine ideas about resurrection.
Assess the debate between Dualism and Monism.
Section B
3a Clarify the ideas illustrated in this passage about life after death.
3b Analyse the implications for life after death from this passage.e
Section C
4 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of John Hick’s Replica Theory..