Chapter 21 - The Three Jewels

Question 1

enumerate:

Three Jewels

Answer 1

1. Buddha
2. Dharma
3. Sangha

Question 2

describe:

Buddha

1st jewel and refuge

2

Answer 2

• as jewel: entrusts himself to us when we entrust ourselves to him
• as refuge: we trust in our capacity to walk in direction of beauty, truth and deep understanding, based on experience of the efficacy of the practice

Question 3

describe:

Dharma

Dharma / 2nd jewel and refuge

2

Answer 3

• as jewel: true Dharma revealed through life and practice (not books and videos etc)
• as refuge: we enter the path of transformation, the path to end suffering

Question 4

describe:

Sangha

3rd jewel and refuge

2

Answer 4

• as jewel: community that practises mindfulness, peace, joy and liberation
• as refuge: we focus our energies on building a community that dwells in mindfulness, harmony and peace

Question 5

explain:

Faith

shraddha

2

Answer 5

• accepting theories verified personally, informed by own insights and experiences
• fruit of practice

Question 6

explain:

Island of the Self

2

Answer 6

• taking refuge in self and nothing or no one else
• knowing everything already exists in one’s own heart

Question 7

describe:

Maitreya

2

Answer 7

• Buddha of Love, of 21st Century
• may be a community rather than an individual

Question 8

How many Dharma doors are there?

3

Answer 8

• “84,000” - we need only one
• each practice (sitting, walking) is one door
• choose the most appropriate door

Question 9

“I take refuge in the Buddha” =

Answer 9

“The Buddha takes refuge in me”

Question 10

What did the Buddha say will happen if we look for him in forms and sounds?

Answer 10

• we will never see the Tathagatha

Question 11

I entrust myself to Earth
?
I entrust myself to Buddha
?

Answer 11

• Earth entrusts herself to me
• Buddha entrusts himself to me

Question 12

“Going back, taking refuge in the Buddha in myself, I vow, together with all beings, to…” (1st verse)

Answer 12

…to realise the Great Way in order to give rise to the highest mind (boddhicitta)

Question 13

“Going back, taking refuge in the Dharma in myself, I vow, together with all beings, to…” (2nd verse)

Answer 13

…to realise understanding and wisdom as immense as the ocean

Question 14

“Going back, taking refuge in the Sangha in myself, I vow, together with all beings, to…” (3rd verse)

Answer 14

…to help build a sangha without obstacles

Question 15

3 Refuges Chant (3 recitations)

Answer 15

1. greater mindfulness, understanding and love
2. embodiment of 3 jewels
3. vow to help others understand the way of understanding and love