Usually we tend to look for solutions from something new, something external: a new world order, a change in society or politics, a good career, a new diet, a new guru, a better theory, or divine intervention. Or, to find new things to blame our problems on, such as relationships, society, financial cliffs, what have you.
However,
when take refuge in the Triple gem, it does not mean that we are helpless or
handing all our problems over to someone or to the Buddha.
In
Buddhism, the shelter from the rain of afflictions and suffering of life is
threefold: the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha (known as The Three Treasures,
Triple Gem or The Three Refuges).
We
take refuge in the Buddha as our ideal, as our mentor in order to become Buddhas
ourselves.
We
take refuge in the Dhamma as the path of wisdom, purity and excellence.
We
take refuge in the Sangha as benevolent companionship in harmony, joy and
purity.
The
refuge ceremony represents a total commitment to Awakening, acknowledging that
the only real working basis is oneself. The principle behind is to find a place
for protection against tornadoes, inclement weather. Thus, taking
refuge
means that we have some understanding about suffering, and having confidence
that the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha can help us.
In
summary, we should not take refuge in Buddhism to avoid problems, there are
many non-religious organizations for that.
We
should instead take refuge to free ourselves from suffering, now and in future
lives. When we understand the frustrating nature of all life, we like to be
freed from cyclic existence (Sanskrit: samsara). The best motivation would be
the wish to free all living beings from suffering.
Remember
the analogy of sickness which is often used:
Buddha is the doctor
Dhamma is the medicine
Sangha is the nurse, and
We are the patients
The
‘cure’ is by taking the medicine, which means practising the methods.
Taking
refuge is like unpacking the medicine and deciding to follow the doctor’s
advice.
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