Lesson Five The Triple Gem (Part 2)

Dhamma and Sangha

The stillness of the evening was broken by the
faint tinkle of tiny windbells and the chirping of
sparrows as they flew home to their nests under
the roof of the shrine hall. Occasionally, the leaves
of the Bodhi tree rustled in the cool, caressing
breeze. The temple was an ideal spot for
meditation, a retreat to watch the stars emerged
from the darkening sky and to greet the silver
splendorof the rising moon.

A stranger, in contemplation, was strolling in the
gathering dusk. From out of the shadows, he
heard a voice said, "Good evening." A man seated
on the steps of the pagoda was looking at him in
the darkness.

"Good evening," the stranger replied. "You're a
Buddhist, aren't you?"

The man replied, "Yes, I am."

"I was hoping to sessomeone whom I could ask a
few questions on Buddhism," said the stranger. "I
was wondering whetheryou mind answering a
few questions for me?"

"Sit down," the man replied, "and be my guest."

Stranger: I suppose Buddhists are people who

follow the teachings of the Buddha.

Upasaka: Yes. We consist of the Order of

monks and nuns who constitute the Sangha

and the lay devotees who are known as

upasaka for the males and upasika for the

female.

S: Then you are an upasaka. Do you have to

undergo an initiation ceremony to become a

Buddhist?

U: No. One is a Buddhist if one understands

and follows the Buddha's teachings, the

Dhamma. However, it is an unbroken age old

tradition in Buddhist countries for a Buddhist

to take his refuges in the Triple Gem and to

observe the Five Precepts. He recites three

times: I follow the Buddha as my guide, I

Follow the Dhamma as my guide, I follow the

Sangha as my guide.

S: And the Five Precepts?

U: The Five Precepts are to abstain from destroying

living beings, from taking what is not given, from

sexual misconduct, from false speech, and from

intoxicants. These precepts guide our actions and

can be regarded as training rules undertaken

voluntarily. Each precept has its positive

counterpart, that is, to develop loving kindness,

generosity, contentment, truthfulness and

mindfulness. It is useful to remember that these

precepts are not commandments.

S: On what occasions do you observe the Five

Precepts?

U: As the Five Precepts are training rules to build

up a consistent, moral character, a good Buddhist

tries to observe them daily. It is easy to see that

the practice of the Five Precepts will foster

harmony in our association and relationship with

others.

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