Refuge

Taking refuge is the traditional entry point into Buddhist practice, an act of turning the mind toward what truly protects us from suffering. It means placing trust in the Three Jewels: the Buddha as the guide, the Dharma as the path he taught, and the Sangha as the community that supports us on that path. Refuge is not a plea to an external saviour but a commitment to one’s own potential for awakening (buddha nature), inspired by those who have already realized it.

It is usually taken formally through a short ceremony with a qualified teacher. From that moment on, the practitioner is considered a Buddhist, someone who has chosen wisdom and compassion as their direction in life. Refuge can be renewed and deepened throughout one’s life, growing more meaningful with practice and understanding.