Lesson Four: The Triple Gem (Part I)

(bhcheah) #1

Lesson 4 The Triple Gem (Part 1)


Wit h his wisdo m an. d compassion, he transformed
criminals into saints

Diamond, emerald, garnet, opal, sapphire,


ruby and pearl arc beautiful gems desired by


man - kind. These ornaments proudly


announce thewealth and social standing of the


owner. They fascinate and dazzle the beholder


with their glitter. "Watch it ," they seem to say,


"gaze as long as you wish to but come no·


closer. We belong to Mr. So, andSo."


More precious than these ornaments are the


Triple Gem. While these ornaments have


provoked acts of murder, robbery, torture


and unspeakable terror in the annals of


mankind, the Triple Gem has inspired great


acts of compassion, peace, courage and


virtue.


The follower of the Triple Gem finds peace


within his heart and a wondrous light within


his mind. Confidence glows within him. The


Truth and joy embodied in the precious Gem


dispel all his fears, doubts, sorrow andtears.


What is the Triple Gem?


The Triple Gem refers to the Buddha,


Dhamma and Sangha. The Buddha is the


Fully Enlightened One who is the


incomparable guide for all beings. The


Dhamma is the wonderful teaching,


glorious in the beginning, middle and end.


The Sangha is the order of monks and


holy sages of the ages whohave devoted


their lives to the cultivation of virtue,


compassion and wisdom.


Forests of flowers are daily laid at the feet


of the Buddha images and countless


millions of lips daily repeat the formula "I


take refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and


Sangha."


A devotee takes refuge in the Triple Gem


not. for the sake of material gain, riot out·


of fear, not for love of fame and not for the


sake of gaining worldly powers. He·is draw


by the power of boundless love of the


Buddha and the peerless and all-embracing


Dhamma and Sanghato guide him across


the vast sea of suffering(Sansara).


THE BUDDHA


The Buddha arose when the world was


undergoing great spiritual and philosophical


changes. In Greece, Heraclitus was giving a


new turn to the early religions of the


Olympian gods. In Babylon, Jeremiah was


giving a new message to the Jews. In China,


Confucius was establishing his ethics of


conduct for theChinese.


"Aunique Bein:g,an extraordinary man


arises in this world for the benefit and


happiness of the many, out of compassion


for the world, for the good, benefit and


happiness ofgods and men. Who is this


Unique Being? It is the Tathagata, the


Exalted, Fully EnlightenedOne."


(Anguttara Nikaya)


Copyright of BMSM^1

Free download pdf