{"id":9134,"date":"2026-06-08T20:17:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T13:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dongphap.net\/?p=9134"},"modified":"2026-11-01T18:43:19","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T11:43:19","slug":"taking-refuge-three-jewels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dongphap.net\/en\/taking-refuge-three-jewels\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels? Relying on the Buddha, Dhamma and Sa\u1e45gha"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>\n.entry-title{display:none!important}\n.dpmag{background:#FBF8F2;}\n.dpmag{--linen:#FBF8F2;--linen2:#F3ECE0;--paper:#FFFFFF;--brown:#6B4226;--brown2:#8A5A30;--gold:#B8860B;--green:#5A6E4A;--ink:#2B2B2B;--grey:#7A7368;}\n.dpmag *{box-sizing:border-box;}\n.dpmag{margin:0;background:var(--linen);color:var(--ink);font-family:\"Iowan Old Style\",\"Palatino Linotype\",\"Noto Serif\",serif;line-height:1.78;font-size:19px;}\n.dpmag .wrap{max-width:760px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 22px 90px;}\n.dpmag .eyebrow{display:inline-block;margin-top:54px;letter-spacing:.22em;text-transform:uppercase;font-family:\"Helvetica Neue\",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.5px;font-weight:700;color:var(--gold);}\n.dpmag h1{font-size:42px;line-height:1.18;margin:.35em 0 .25em;color:var(--brown);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:-.01em;}\n.dpmag .dek{font-size:21px;line-height:1.6;color:var(--brown2);font-style:italic;margin:0 0 26px;}\n.dpmag 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.thuchanh .lbl{color:var(--green);}\n.dpmag .steps{counter-reset:s;margin:24px 0;padding:0;list-style:none;}\n.dpmag .steps li{position:relative;padding:4px 0 16px 52px;margin:0;}\n.dpmag .steps li::before{counter-increment:s;content:counter(s);position:absolute;left:0;top:0;width:34px;height:34px;\n  background:var(--gold);color:#fff;border-radius:50%;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;\n  font-family:\"Helvetica Neue\",Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;}\n.dpmag .steps b{color:var(--brown);}\n.dpmag .suyngam{background:var(--paper);border:1px dashed #cdbfa6;}\n.dpmag .suyngam .lbl{color:var(--brown2);}\n.dpmag .suyngam ul{margin:6px 0 0;padding-left:20px;}\n.dpmag .suyngam li{margin:6px 0;}\n.dpmag .tomlai{background:var(--brown);color:#f7eee0;border-radius:14px;padding:24px 26px;margin:40px 0 18px;}\n.dpmag .tomlai .lbl{display:block;font-family:\"Helvetica Neue\",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12.5px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.16em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--gold);margin-bottom:8px;}\n.dpmag .tomlai p{margin:0 0 10px;font-size:18px;line-height:1.7;}\n.dpmag .cta{text-align:center;background:var(--linen2);border:1px solid #e3d8c6;border-radius:14px;padding:26px;margin:30px 0 0;}\n.dpmag .cta p{margin:0 0 14px;font-size:18px;color:var(--brown2);}\n.dpmag .cta a{display:inline-block;background:var(--gold);color:#fff;text-decoration:none;font-weight:700;font-family:\"Helvetica Neue\",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:15px;padding:13px 26px;border-radius:30px;}\n.dpmag .tag{font-family:\"Helvetica Neue\",Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;color:var(--green);font-weight:700;}\n.dpmag .footer{margin-top:50px;border-top:1px solid #e3d8c6;padding-top:18px;font-size:14px;color:var(--grey);font-family:\"Helvetica Neue\",Arial,sans-serif;}\n.dpmag .grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:14px;margin:24px 0;}\n.dpmag .gcard{background:#fff;border:1px solid #e7dcc9;border-radius:12px;padding:16px 18px;}\n.dpmag .gcard b{color:var(--brown);display:block;margin-bottom:4px;font-size:17px;}\n.dpmag .gcard span{font-size:15.5px;color:#5a5249;}\n.dpmag table.tt{width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:24px 0;font-size:16.5px;}\n.dpmag table.tt th{background:var(--brown);color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:10px 12px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;}\n.dpmag table.tt td{padding:10px 12px;border-bottom:1px solid #e7dcc9;vertical-align:top;}\n.dpmag table.tt tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#F6F0E6;}\n@media(max-width:560px){.dpmag h1{font-size:32px;}\n.dpmag .dek{font-size:18px;}\n.dpmag{font-size:18px;}\n.dpmag .pull{font-size:21px;}\n}<\/p>\n<p>.dpmag .dpnext{background:#F4EEE2;border-left:4px solid #B8860B;padding:16px 20px;margin:30px 0 8px}.dpmag .dpnext .lbl{display:block;letter-spacing:.2em;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:11.5px;font-weight:700;color:#B8860B;margin-bottom:9px}.dpmag .dpnext .hub{margin:0 0 10px;font-size:17px;color:#4A3A2A}.dpmag .dpnext ul{margin:0;padding-left:20px}.dpmag .dpnext li{margin-bottom:6px;font-size:16.5px;line-height:1.5}.dpmag .dpnext a{color:#6B4226;font-weight:600}<\/style>\n<div class=\"dpmag\">\n<div class=\"wrap\">\n  <span class=\"eyebrow\">Foundational Teachings \u00b7 First Steps<\/span><\/p>\n<h1>What Is Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels? Relying on the Buddha, Dhamma and Sa\u1e45gha<\/h1>\n<p class=\"dek\">Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is the formal first step of a Buddhist. But what does \u201crefuge\u201d really mean here \u2014 and what exactly are we relying on?<\/p>\n<div class=\"meta\"><span><b>Category:<\/b> Buddhism Basics<\/span><span><b>Reading time:<\/b> 8 min read<\/span><span class=\"tag\">#refuge #threejewels #buddhadhammasangha<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"hero\"><\/div>\n<article>\n<p><strong>Taking refuge in the Three Jewels<\/strong> \u2014 relying on the three precious gems of the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sa\u1e45gha \u2014 is the formal first step by which a person becomes a Buddhist. Yet \u201cgoing for refuge\u201d carries a far deeper meaning than a ritual or a plea for protection. To understand refuge rightly is to understand what we are actually relying on, and why.<\/p>\n<div class=\"box pali\"><span class=\"lbl\">P\u0101li term<\/span><b class=\"term\">Tisara\u1e47a<\/b> \u2014 \u201cthe three refuges.\u201d The formula: \u201cI go for refuge to the Buddha (Buddha\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43 gacch\u0101mi), I go for refuge to the Dhamma (Dhamma\u1e43&#8230;), I go for refuge to the Sa\u1e45gha (Sa\u1e45gha\u1e43&#8230;).\u201d <b>Tiratana<\/b> \u2014 \u201cthe Triple Gem, the three precious jewels.\u201d<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"num\">PART 1<\/span>What \u201ctaking refuge\u201d really means<\/h2>\n<p>First, a common misunderstanding needs to be cleared up: taking refuge is not asking the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sa\u1e45gha to grant us protection or miracles, the way one might beg a powerful deity to shield us from misfortune. \u201cRefuge\u201d here has a deeper sense: it is the setting of a <em>direction<\/em> and a <em>point of support<\/em> for the spiritual life. To take refuge in the Three Jewels is to trust and follow the path these three jewels stand for \u2014 the path that leads to liberation from suffering. Picture someone lost in a dark forest who finds a trustworthy trail to follow: taking refuge is choosing to follow the guidance of the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sa\u1e45gha out of the forest of suffering. The real refuge lies in practicing that path, not in reciting a formula.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"num\">PART 2<\/span>Taking refuge in the Buddha<\/h2>\n<p>The first jewel is the <em>Buddha<\/em> \u2014 the Awakened One. Taking refuge in the Buddha is not worshipping a god but following the example and guidance of a human being who found the path to liberation by himself and brought it to complete fulfilment. The Buddha is living proof that awakening is possible for a human being \u2014 he was not a supernatural being but a person who woke up through his own effort. Taking refuge in the Buddha is therefore both honouring the Teacher who showed the way and kindling the confidence that this same potential for awakening lies within our own reach. At its deepest level, taking refuge in the Buddha means relying on the capacity for awakening \u2014 \u201cBuddha-nature,\u201d the potential to wake up \u2014 within ourselves.<\/p>\n<div class=\"box kinh\"><span class=\"lbl\">From the Suttas<\/span>\u201cBe an island unto yourselves, be a refuge unto yourselves, with no other refuge. Make the Dhamma your island, make the Dhamma your refuge.\u201d<cite>\u2014 D\u012bgha Nik\u0101ya (Mah\u0101parinibb\u0101na Sutta, DN 16)<\/cite><\/div>\n<p class=\"pull\">Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is not handing your fate over to someone else, but choosing a trustworthy path to walk yourself.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"num\">PART 3<\/span>Taking refuge in the Dhamma<\/h2>\n<p>The second jewel is the <em>Dhamma<\/em> \u2014 the teaching, the truth the Buddha realized and taught. It can be seen as the most essential of the three, because the Dhamma itself is the actual path to liberation; the Buddha is the one who discovered and pointed out the Dhamma, and the Sa\u1e45gha is the community that practices it. Taking refuge in the Dhamma means trusting and practicing the teaching \u2014 the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the principles of impermanence, suffering, non-self, kamma and dependent origination. Importantly, the Dhamma is not meant to be believed blindly but to be practiced and verified for oneself; the Buddha invites us to \u201ccome and see\u201d (ehipassiko). Taking refuge in the Dhamma is therefore committing ourselves to the path of practice so as to experience its truth and its benefit firsthand \u2014 this is the very \u201cisland\u201d the Buddha told us to rely on.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"num\">PART 4<\/span>Taking refuge in the Sa\u1e45gha<\/h2>\n<p>The third jewel is the <em>Sa\u1e45gha<\/em> \u2014 the community of those who practice the Dhamma. In its noblest sense, the Sa\u1e45gha is the community of noble ones who have attained the stages of liberation \u2014 people who have truly seen the Dhamma and are living proof that the path works. In a broader sense, the Sa\u1e45gha also means the community of sincere people walking the path together. Taking refuge in the Sa\u1e45gha has great practical value: practicing alone, it is easy to slacken, lose our way or grow discouraged; a community of fellow practitioners holds us up when we are weak, reminds us when we stray, inspires us when we lose heart, and gives us teachers and good friends (kaly\u0101\u1e47a-mitta) to learn from. The Buddha placed great weight on spiritual friendship; taking refuge in the Sa\u1e45gha is relying on the strength of community and on companionship along the path.<\/p>\n<div class=\"box thuchanh\"><span class=\"lbl\">The Three Jewels<\/span><br \/>\n<b>Buddha:<\/b> the Awakened One \u2014 the example and proof that awakening is possible.<br \/>\n<b>Dhamma:<\/b> the teaching, the path \u2014 the core, to be practiced and verified for oneself.<br \/>\n<b>Sa\u1e45gha:<\/b> the community of practice \u2014 support, companionship and good friends.<\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"num\">PART 5<\/span>Refuge is a journey, not just a ceremony<\/h2>\n<p>Many people think taking refuge is only a ceremony \u2014 recite the formula of the three refuges before a teacher, receive a Dhamma name, and that is that. But the ceremony is only the formal beginning; real refuge is a lifelong journey. Each day we live by the Buddha&#8217;s teaching, each time we practice the Dhamma, each time we lean on the community in our practice, we are \u201ctaking refuge\u201d in a living way. That refuge also deepens with time: at first it may be mostly faith, but as we practice and see the benefits for ourselves, faith becomes conviction grounded in experience. And at the deepest level, refuge in what lies outside us (the historical Buddha, the scriptures, the community) gradually turns into an inner refuge \u2014 reliance on the wisdom and awareness growing within ourselves, just as the Buddha said: \u201cBe an island unto yourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"num\">PART 6<\/span>Why refuge is a solid foundation<\/h2>\n<p>In a world full of insecurity, where we usually look for support in impermanent things \u2014 wealth, status, other people, health \u2014 taking refuge in the Three Jewels offers a different and far sturdier foundation. It is not leaning on something external that can be lost, but on a path and a process of inner transformation. When life is shaken, a person who has truly taken refuge has a clear direction and a support that outer circumstances cannot topple: they know which path leads out of suffering, and they can always come back to practice. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels is therefore not a formal religious obligation but the laying of a foundation for one&#8217;s entire spiritual life \u2014 choosing a trustworthy direction, a path that countless people have shown leads to peace and liberation, and committing to walk it. It is one of the most meaningful decisions a person can make for themselves.<\/p>\n<p>Whether or not you have formally taken refuge, try taking refuge in a living way today: put one teaching of the Buddha into practice, and feel how steady that support is.<\/p>\n<p><!--dpmrg--><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"num\">PART 7<\/span>How is the refuge ceremony performed?<\/h2>\n<p>In outward form, taking refuge is usually done before a monk or at a monastery. The person repeats the formula of going for refuge to the three jewels three times, and often undertakes the Five Precepts in the same ceremony. The ceremony marks a milestone, serves as a public commitment, and connects the newcomer with the community of practice.<\/p>\n<div class=\"box pali\"><span class=\"lbl\">P\u0101li term<\/span><b class=\"term\">Tisara\u1e47a-gamana<\/b> \u2014 \u201cgoing to the three refuges.\u201d The formula, recited three times: <em>Buddha\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43 gacch\u0101mi<\/em> (I go for refuge to the Buddha) \u2014 <em>Dhamma\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43 gacch\u0101mi<\/em> (I go for refuge to the Dhamma) \u2014 <em>Sa\u1e45gha\u1e43 sara\u1e47a\u1e43 gacch\u0101mi<\/em> (I go for refuge to the Sa\u1e45gha). The word <em>sara\u1e47a<\/em> originally means a safe shelter in the middle of a storm.<\/div>\n<p>The root image of the word <em>sara\u1e47a<\/em> is wonderfully evocative: a traveller caught in a storm who finds a roof overhead. If you are planning to take part in the ceremony, you might first read about the <a href=\"https:\/\/dongphap.net\/en\/five-precepts-buddhism\/\">Five Precepts<\/a> to understand what you are about to vow.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"num\">PART 8<\/span>Are you a Buddhist before the ceremony?<\/h2>\n<p>This is a very common question, and the tradition&#8217;s answer is fairly open: the ceremony is the outer shell that expresses refuge, while its core is the heart. Someone who has never gone through the ceremony but sincerely turns toward the Three Jewels and lives by the Dhamma has already taken refuge at heart. Conversely, going through the ceremony without the heart changing direction is form alone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"pull\">No one needs to be \u201cqualified enough\u201d to begin. Live by the Dhamma first, and take part in the ceremony when your heart is ready.<\/p>\n<div class=\"box kinh\"><span class=\"lbl\">From the Suttas<\/span>\u201cWhoever has gone for refuge to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sa\u1e45gha, who with right wisdom sees the Four Noble Truths\u2026 that indeed is a secure refuge, that is the supreme refuge.\u201d<cite>\u2014 Dhammapada, verses 190\u2013192 (Dhp 190\u2013192)<\/cite><\/div>\n<p>Understood this way, refuge is not a milestone left behind but a homecoming repeated every day: each time you choose awareness over delusion, loving-kindness over anger, that is a living act of taking refuge \u2014 more concrete than any ceremony.<\/p>\n<p><!--\/dpmrg--><\/p>\n<div class=\"tomlai\"><span class=\"lbl\">In short<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u2022 <b>Taking refuge in the Three Jewels<\/b> means relying on the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sa\u1e45gha \u2014 setting a direction and a point of support, not begging for protection.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Buddha: the example and proof that awakening is possible. Dhamma: the core path, to be practiced and verified for oneself. Sa\u1e45gha: a supportive community of good friends.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Refuge is a lifelong journey, not just a ceremony; it deepens over time and moves inward.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 It is a steady support in an impermanent world \u2014 reliance on a path and on inner transformation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"box suyngam\"><span class=\"lbl\">Questions for reflection<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Where are you looking for support in your life \u2014 and are those supports steady and lasting?<\/li>\n<li>For you, how does \u201ctaking refuge in the Dhamma\u201d show up in daily practice, not only in belief?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><!--dpil--><\/p>\n<div class=\"dpnext\"><span class=\"lbl\">Continue reading in this series<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"hub\">This article is part of the <b>Buddhism Fundamentals<\/b> series \u2014 a reading path best followed in order.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dp-lang-index\"><li style=\"margin:0 0 10px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dongphap.net\/en\/ten-wholesome-actions\/\" style=\"color:#6B4226;font-weight:600\">The Ten Wholesome Actions: Goodness in Body, Speech, and Mind<\/a><\/li><li style=\"margin:0 0 10px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dongphap.net\/en\/four-immeasurables-brahmavihara\/\" style=\"color:#6B4226;font-weight:600\">What Are the Four Immeasurables? Loving-Kindness, Compassion, Joy, Equanimity<\/a><\/li><li style=\"margin:0 0 10px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dongphap.net\/en\/greed-hatred-delusion-three-roots\/\" style=\"color:#6B4226;font-weight:600\">Greed, Hatred and Delusion: The Three Poisons and the Three Unwholesome Roots<\/a><\/li><li style=\"margin:0 0 10px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dongphap.net\/en\/is-kamma-fate\/\" style=\"color:#6B4226;font-weight:600\">Is Kamma Fate? What Karma Really Means in Buddhism<\/a><\/li><li style=\"margin:0 0 10px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dongphap.net\/en\/middle-way-majjhima-patipada\/\" style=\"color:#6B4226;font-weight:600\">The Middle Way: The Balanced Path That Avoids Two Extremes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<p><!--\/dpil--><\/p>\n<div class=\"footer\">D\u00f2ng Ph\u00e1p \u00b7 dongphap.net \u2014 Therav\u0101da Buddhism, P\u0101\u1e37i &amp; mindfulness, presented in an accessible, practical way.<br \/>The teachings in this article are based on the P\u0101\u1e37i Canon of the Therav\u0101da tradition; P\u0101\u1e37i texts are checked against the VRI edition. See <a href=\"https:\/\/dongphap.net\/about\/\">our sources and how we write<\/a> \u00b7 Spotted something that needs correcting? <a href=\"https:\/\/dongphap.net\/contact\/\">Let us know<\/a>.<br \/>Translated from the Vietnamese original: <a href=\"https:\/\/dongphap.net\/en\/taking-refuge-three-jewels\/\" hreflang=\"vi\" lang=\"vi\">Quy y Tam B\u1ea3o l\u00e0 g\u00ec? N\u01b0\u01a1ng t\u1ef1a Ph\u1eadt, Ph\u00e1p, T\u0103ng<\/a><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sa\u1e45gha is not a plea for protection but choosing a trustworthy path and walking it yourself.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9320,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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