Copyright of BMSMLesson 4 TheTriple Gem (Part 1)
Withhiswisdoman.dcompassion,hetransformed
criminalsinto saints
Diamond, emerald, garnet, opal, sapphire,
ruby and pearl arc beautiful gems desired by
man-kind. These ornaments proudly
announce thewealthand social standing of the
owner.They fascinate and dazzle the beholder
with their glitter. "Watchit,"theyseemto 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. TheDhamma is the wonderful teaching,
glorious in the beginning, middle and end.The Sangha is the order of monks and
holy sages of the ages who have 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 Sangha to 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 anew 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 the Chinese."A unique 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 of gods and men. Who is thisUnique Being? It is the Tathagata, the
Exalted, Fully Enlightened One."(Anguttara Nikaya)2