The Three Jewels of Buddhism

There are many items that are sacred within theof Dharma, the Eternal Law". The word Dharma
dharmic religion of Buddhism, but the Three Jewels ofliterally translates into "the Teaching", and it is the
Buddhism are the very cornerstones of this religionlaws and teachings that were handed down to
and its beliefs.Buddha's followers by Buddha himself. In the
Several parts of Buddhism make up the core of thisTheraveda tradition, Dharma consists only of these
religion. They include the Four Noble Truths and thelaws, but in Mahayana and Tibetan Buddhism, there
Eightfold Path, both of which are beliefs that wereare other parts of Dharma that are recognized.
developed by the Buddha when he was enlightenedThese include not only Kangyur (the teaching of the
by meditation. The Three Jewels of Buddhism areBuddha) but also Tengyur (the commentaries of
similar, but they can also be seen as the three thingsBuddhist practitioners).
that Buddhists actually "give" themselves to in orderThe third Jewel is Sangha. Sangha translated into
to belong to this religion. The Three Jewels areEnglish literally means "the Community", and the
Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.Gachchami for Sangha is Sangham sharanam
The Three Jewels are also known as thegachchami, which means "I go to the feet of the
"Gachchamis". The first of these, Buddha, is stated asSangha, the Awakened One's community". In Tibetan
Buddham, sharanam, gachchami and means "I go toBuddhism, Sangha is used to refer to all of the
the feet of the Awakened One". The Buddha, aspeople who practice Buddhism and use the Buddha's
referenced in this jewel, can be taken to mean theteachings to benefit themselves and others. In other
historical Buddha, or to mean the Buddha's nature orsects of Buddhism, such as Theraveda, Sangha
ideal within everyone. Buddha can also be taken tomeans the community of practitioners and devotees
mean Buddhahood or the attainment of Buddhahood,that have fully realized the nature of their mind -
meaning finding the pinnacle of your spiritual and life"Realized Sangha" as well as those who are working
potential. The name the Three Jewels or the Threetowards that goal "Ordinary Sangha".
Gems also comes from the Buddha, who was knownThe Three Jewels of Buddhism are often seen
as the Diamond Mind.represented within a lotus flower within a circle, or
The second of the Three Jewels of Buddhism issurrounded by the dharmic wheel and placed on a
Dharma, and the Gachchami for this is Dhammamrepresentation of the Buddha's foot. This important
sharanam gachchami, which means "I go to the feetaspect of Buddhism is one that all sects subscribe to.