皈依的核心

　　真正的皈依叁寶，就理想狀況而言，並非皈依任何個人。我們皈依的核心---佛---指的是釋迦牟尼佛，他是我們這個時代的佛，他傳授教法，所以釋迦牟尼佛是根本的皈依對象，不能爲任何人或神所取代。

　　在佛陀的教法中，曾提到每一位有情都是自己的救護者。這句話的意思不可以錯誤解釋爲輪回中的每一個衆生都是自己的救護者。佛陀已示下(解脫之法)道，毫無疑問，他是皈依處；然而，法寶才是實際皈依處：我們應在僧寶的幫助下，令正法與內在相應而表露于外。故藉由實踐教法-佛陀最重要之意旨，而獲得解脫，這樣我們才能真正成爲救護自己的人。

　　In taking refuge in the Three Jewels, ideally, one is not taking refuge in an inpidual person. For us, the primary focus of "buddha" is Shakyamuni Buddha. It is important to recognize the buddha of this time. The buddha of this time, who has taught the teachings, is Shakyamuni Buddha. So Shakyamuni Buddha has to be the principal focus of refuge, not any person or deity taking that place. Also, the teaching of the Buddha mentions that one is one”s own protector. The point to be understood here it is not that, in your confused samsaric state, you are your own protector. The Buddha has shown the path. The Buddha is an object of refuge, undoubtedly. Yet the actual object of refuge is the Dharma, which the inpidual must integrate for their potential to become manifest through the support of the Sangha. By applying the practice of the Dharma, the central message of the Buddha, one can gain liberation. It is in this way that one can become one”s own protector.