..续本文上一页 the quality they have given rise to within themselves. They reach the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha on the highest level, the level of release or ultimate attainment, a quality free from defilement and mental fermentations.

　　People who train their hearts in this way have reached the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha on the level of inner quality. In other words, they have reached refuge in their own hearts. They have absolutely closed off the route to the realms of deprivation. At the very least, they are destined after death to go to the higher realms of happiness. At best, they will attain nibbana. All of them are certain to attain nibbana within at least seven lifetimes, for they have reached an inner quality that”s steady and certain. They won”t fall into anything low. Anyone who has yet to attain this quality, though, has an uncertain future.

　　So if we want the peace and security that the Buddha”s teachings has to offer, we should all try to find ourselves a dependable refuge. If you take refuge on the allegorical level, the level of inpiduals, find people of worth so that your conviction in them will take you to the happy realms. As for refuge on the level of inner qualities, which will really be of substantial value to you, practice so as to give rise to those qualities within yourself.

　　To summarize: On the level of inner qualities, the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha are all one and the same thing. They differ only in name.

　　So you should "opanayiko" -- bring these qualities into your heart. "Sanditthiko" -- When you practice, you”ll see them for yourself. "Paccattam" -- You”ll know them only for yourself. Things that other people know about aren”t safe.

　　If you want peace and refuge that are substantial and sure, you should give rise to them in your own heart. The result will be nibbana, liberation from defilement, from all birth, aging, illness, and death in this world and any world to come.

　　nibbanam paramam sukham

　　"Nibbana is the ultimate happiness.

　　There is no happiness higher."

　　This is "buddha" on the level of results: freedom from sleep, total Awakening.

　　And this ends our discussion of the verse on refuge.

《A Refuge in Awakening》全文阅读结束。