The Three Refuges (Tisarana)
The Three Refuges are the same three objects as the Three Jewels, seen from a different angle. The Three Jewels name what is precious. The Three Refuges name the act of relying on them. In practice, "taking the Three Refuges" and "taking refuge in the Three Jewels" mean the same thing.The Formula
Here is the traditional Pali version, which is what you would recite in a Theravada ceremony:
| Pali | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Buddham saranam gacchami | I go to the Buddha for refuge |
| Dhammam saranam gacchami | I go to the Dharma for refuge |
| Sangham saranam gacchami | I go to the Sangha for refuge |
It is normally said three times, with the second and third rounds adding "for the second time" and "for the third time."
What Each Refuge Means in Practice
- Refuge in the Buddha: You trust the Buddha as a reliable teacher and believe that awakening is possible. In daily life, this might mean turning to his example and teachings when you're facing a difficulty.
- Refuge in the Dharma: You rely on the teachings and the truth they point to as your guide. This means studying, reflecting, and actually practicing them.
- Refuge in the Sangha: You rely on the community of practitioners for guidance, support, and correction.
Why "Going For" Refuge
The verb gacchami literally means "I go." It is an active commitment, not a passive belief. You are choosing to direct yourself toward these three as your shelter and your path, rather than relying mainly on wealth, status, relationships, or distraction to protect you from suffering.
Two Kinds of Refuge Traditionally Described
- Provisional (worldly) refuge: The initial trust of a beginner who relies on the Three Jewels as a guide, without yet having realized the teachings for themselves.
- Ultimate (supramundane) refuge: The unshakable confidence of someone who has directly seen the truth of the teachings. In this sense, the real refuge is the awakened qualities themselves: wisdom, compassion, and freedom.
Variations Across Traditions
- Theravada: Recited in Pali, usually followed immediately by the Five Precepts.
- Mahayana: Recited in local languages or Sanskrit-derived forms, often with the aspiration to awaken for all beings added.
- Tibetan: Extended to include the Three Roots (guru, deity, protectors), and often paired with generating bodhicitta.
A Quick Way to Remember
- Three Jewels = what you value
- Three Refuges = what you do with that trust: go to them for shelter and guidance