The Threefold Refuge

　　by

　　Nyanaponika Thera

　　© 2006

　　I. Buddhaghosa”s Exposition

　　TRANSLATED FROM THE COMMENTARY TO THE "MIDDLE COLLECTION" (MN 4: BHAYABHERAVA-SUTTA)

　　After listening to the Buddha”s Discourse called "Fear and Dread," the Brahman Jaanussoni becomes a lay follower of the Buddha, by taking the Threefold Refuge. The words used by him differ slightly from the usual formula in so far as in the latter the words "the Lord Gotama" are replaced by "the Buddha." Buddhaghosa”s comment, here slightly abridged, runs as follows:

　　"I go for refuge to the Lord Gotama" (bhavanta.m Gotama.m sara.na.m gacchaami). This means: The Lord Gotama is my refuge and my guiding ideal.[1] I am going for refuge to the Lord Gotama. I resort to him, follow and honor him, in the sense of his being the Destroyer of Affliction and the Provider of Weal. Or: I know and understand him to be of such a nature.

　　This last explanation is based upon the fact that in the Pali language, the verbal roots denoting "going" (gati) may also have the meaning of "knowing" (buddhi). Therefore the words "I go for refuge to the Buddha" may also be taken to express the idea: "I know and understand him to be the refuge."

　　"I go for refuge to the Dhamma." The word dhamma, i.e., the Doctrine or the Law, is derived from the verb dhareti, to keep or to bear. In accordance with that derivation, the Dhamma may be regarded as refuge, because it keeps, upholds, and supports the beings by way of preventing their fall into the states of woe[2] by way of enabling a life according to instruction (as given by the Dhamma), by way of attainment of the Path, and by realization of the extinction (of suffering). Accordingly, the Dhamma (meant in the formula of refuge) is the (supramundane) Noble Path as well as Nibbana. Besides, it is the attainment of the noble fruitions (of the stream-enterer, the once-returner, the non-returner, and the saint), and also the Dhamma of Learning (laid down in the Scriptures: pariyatti-dhamma).

　　"I go for refuge to the Sangha." The Sangha is (here) the community of (holy) monks which is united by the communion of right view and virtue (di.t.thi-siila sanghaatena sa.mhato” ti sangho).

　　That is to say: the Sangha (meant in the formula of refuge) is the group of the eight noble beings (ariya-puggala: those in possession of 1) the path of stream-entry, 2) the fruition thereof, etc.).

　　In order to gain proficiency with regard to this subject of "refuge," one should be acquainted with the following method of exposition, dealing with 1) the word sara.na; 2) the going for refuge (sara.naagamana); 3) Who is going for refuge

　　; 4) the pisions; 5) the results; 6) the defilements; 7) the breach.

　　As to the meaning of the word sara.na, the commentator relates it, not in the sense of a linguistic derivation, but for the purpose of exposition, to the verb sarati, "to crush," having the same meaning as hi.msati, "to kill." The refuge is explained in that way, because, for those who are taking that refuge, it kills and destroys danger and fear, suffering, and the defilements leading to evil destiny. The refuge is a name of the Triple Gem. Another explanation: The Buddha destroys fear in beings by promoting their happiness and by removing harm from them. The Dhamma does it by making the beings cross the wilderness of existence and by giving them solace. The Sangha does it by (enabling devotees) to obtain rich results even from small religious acts (like homage, offerings etc.)

　　The going for (or taking) refuge is a state of mind in which defilements are destroyed owing to the faith in and veneration for, the Triple Gem; a state of mind which, without relying on others (apara-paccayo[3]), proceeds by way of taking the Triple Gem as its guiding ideal (paraay…

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