The foundation for taking refuge - Mr. U Sapukotana

Buddhists world over take refuge in `Buddha’ `Dhamma’ and `Sangha’. As we chant the stanza `Buddham saranam gachchami’ etc visual mental impressions associated with these stanzas get surfaced. With the chanting of the first refuge comes an impression of a Buddha Statue or a Buddha picture. `Dhamma’ is often associated with the books or `ola leaves’ on which the original `Tipitaka’ was committed to writing. `Sangha’ of course we see often, the Budhist monk in yellow robes.

Do these mental impressions offer a true refuge to us?

Could it be that Buddha asked us to take refuge in our own `Buddha nature’? Our Buddha nature may be yet in an elementary embryonic stage. Yet it is that nature, though infinitesimal, that establishes a link between ourselves and the larger Buddha nature (Samma Samsuddha).

What is Dhamma refuge? The literal meaning of `Dhamma’ is what is contained or harboured within us. (Dharetiti Dhammam) "We take refuge in the quality of mind that harbours the Buddha nature". (`Dhammo have rakkhati Dhammacari’ `He whose mind harbours (Buddha) Dhamma is protected by such Dhamma’).

`Sangha’ means a `group’. In this context it could mean `putting together’ or `consolidating’. Consolidating what? What do we take refuge in? `Sangham saranam gachchami’ could mean we take refuge in the quality of our mind that has consolidated the Buddha nature within.

This process will help us prepare our minds to establish communion with the real Samma Samsuddha, Dhamma and Sangha and to find refuge in them. This form of thinking is supported by Buddha himself when he said "Atta Dipa Viharatha" make a lamp (a refuge) unto yourself. Elsewhere Buddha says `Attahi attano natho – ko his natho parosiya’. `One is the master of oneself. Who else could be the Master’?