What are the Three Refuges?

Traditional Buddhists often take the "three refuges". What are they and can they be understood in secular terms?
Music in this video:
I Am Running Down the Long Hallway of Viewmont Elementary by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: chriszabriskie.com/honor/
Artist: chriszabriskie.com/
Rubix Cube by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/
Comfortable Mystery 2 - Film Noire by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Source: incompetech.com/music/royalty-...
Artist: incompetech.com/
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[@rikkapower3010]

Thank you Doug, I think of you as part of my ‘Sanga’ now. I am trying out a local Buddhist group but I struggle with discussions of rebirth, karma and other supernatural beliefs. I am trying to take the rational instruction and ignore that which is not. I started watching a couple of your videos from the back catalogue every morning. I love the work you have done and continue to do!

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Rikka, glad to be of help! Yes, I struggled with them as well from time to time. Fortunately in the centers where I attended, there weren't a lot of such discussions. Karma however is important, so long as we simply think of it as behaving ethically and skillfully it shouldn't present a problem. 🙏

[@jerclarkedotorg]

Great video. I took the three refuges a little bit by accident at my first Against the Stream meeting in Montreal. It was the first meeting after new years and the organizer encouraged us to light candles and do an intention setting ritual. After he offered that we take the refuges as well. I wasn't sure at the time but did it just to learn more. Now that I've learned more about it (And done it more sincerely during the Refuge Recovery process) I have no regrets. I think it's a great "vow" in that we get to maintain our independence of thought etc. while still making a commitment to seek help and peace in the lessons of Buddhism. Now if only regular and reliable secular sangha were available everywhere :)

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Jer, yes sometimes there isn't a local sangha at all! We do our best, and meanwhile there is KZbin, FWIW! 😄

[@craigmcfarlane7048]

DOUG SIR WE WATCH YOUR VIDEOS IN MY CLASS AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THEM, YOUR VIDEOS ARE GREAT

[@DougsDharma]

Oh that's nice to hear, Craig! Thanks! 🙏😊

[@craigmcfarlane7048]

@@DougsDharma I will be bragging that you replied tomorrow in class

[@namename-kq8wt]

Another great video, Doug! I've been investigating Buddhism/ practising meditation for a while now and have considered taking refuge. I'm due to attend a retreat within the Thai Forest tradition and thought I might enquire about it there. It's difficult to get a feel for what the ceremony may look like within a traditional setting, though - I've heard, for example, that you get what's known as a refuge name or sangha name although I'm not sure what traditions that happens within, whether it's just a Mahayana thing or whether, say, the Thai Forest tradition would involve that.

[@DougsDharma]

Thanks Jorri, I'm not really sure about their practice of giving sangha names. It certainly happens in Theravāda if you take full ordination, but I'm not sure about it if you're just there temporarily.

[@patrickcahill4396]

Hi Doug! Very much like your 'level-headed' approach. Easy to watch and you don't feel you are being sucked into some kind of mysticism. I was wondering if you have written or talked about the'five precepts'?

[@DougsDharma]

Hi Patrick, and thanks! I haven't posted a KZbin video on the Five Precepts yet, but one is in the can. It needs editing and polishing and will be out in a few weeks. So hold on to your hats.

[@joshviolette9970]

Bump for the algorythm. Great stuff!

[@DougsDharma]

Appreciate it! 😃

[@fooboomoo]

I have taken refuge many years ago when I joined a friend at a Dhamma talk. I felt connected to the Buddhist ideals so I felt comfortable doing that, but I only recently I have been diving deeper into buddhism and regular meditation. I do not regret at all having "formally" taken refuge when I did!

[@DougsDharma]

Glad to hear it Freedumb! Yes, many people do find deep solace in taking formal refuge.

[@stevevest7206]

I have thought of taking refuge in the Buddfha and taking refuge in the Dharma differently. I consider the Dharma to be the laws of nature that are never changing. I consider taking refuge in the Buddha to be his teachings that are based on the best way to see the Dharma, but not necessarily the only way. For instance, Ananda talking the Buddha into allowing nuns. The importance of nuns isn't a matter of the natural law, but rather what is best to lead people to the Dharma.

[@DougsDharma]

Yes thanks Steve, that sounds good. I think there are many ways to approach these three refuges.

[@americo8568]

Hi Doug, wondering if chanting the three refuges is a kind of prayer/ritualistic approach?

[@DougsDharma]

Hi El Gato, thanks for the question! It’s one I try to answer in the video. It depends upon your approach and how you use them I think.

[@americo8568]

I would approach it as a reminder to seek refuge in the Buddha, Buddha as a form of higher conscience. To remember Buddha’s perspective on human existence and encourage self reflection, dharma and sangha as integral components. Thank you for your videos.

[@DougsDharma]

You’re very welcome El Gato. I think your approach to the three refuges makes a lot of sense. 🙏

[@jkang5902]

With respect, may I make a statement? Let the world be. Thank you.

[@rin-ix6ub]

Is it true that three jewels protect us from harmful spirits?

[@DougsDharma]

I don't really believe in harmful spirits. That said, practice can protect us from forms of worry and concern.

[@rin-ix6ub]

@@DougsDharma thank you for your answer sir

[@cc-sv5qu]

doug, very interesting but please turn the music off. (from my lovely re teacher)

[@DougsDharma]

Yes, thanks Sophie. I experimented with music early on but don’t use it anymore.

[@vi4379]

why do some buddhist believe that the dharma is the most important of the 3 refuges?

[@DougsDharma]

Ah, I did a video on that topic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZqVpJdsatFsa9E