Born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama in around 563 BC. He spent his life as a wandering ascetic, seeking to understand human suffering and discovering that the cause of suffering was attachment to things of the senses. He attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree (also known as “the tree under which he sat”).
The Three Gems are a basic belief of Buddhism that support the great teacher’s views: that true happiness can only be found by avoiding attachment.
An Introduction to the Three Gems of Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion that teaches kindness and compassion. The Buddha said that the first thing we must do to attain happiness is to rid ourselves of our egos. He called this task “self-denial.”
The Buddha is described as a human being born as a prince in India, lived for many years and taught the Dhamma to his disciples. He attained Nibbana (the highest state of enlightenment) at age 80, after which he became an arhat (one with non-returning).
The Dhamma is the teachings he imparted to his disciples, which are based on the four noble truths that help people to end suffering. It includes the noble eightfold path to help one achieve liberation from all worldly attachments.
The Sangha refers to the community of monks who follow these teachings and live by them.
Diving Deeper Into the Three Gems
The three jewels are what Buddhists consider most important in their lives: the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha.
- The Buddha (Amida Buddha) is a historical figure who taught a way of life that led to Nirvana and eternal peace. He lived in India around 500 BC. These teachings were passed down orally through generations of monks before being written down in texts such as the Lotus Sutra.
- The Dhamma (Dharma) is a term used to describe what is true and valid in life. It can be used to describe a religion or philosophy, but it also refers specifically to the teachings of Buddha, which he gave to society during his lifetime. The word “Dharma” was first used by King Ashoka (304-232 BCE) when he decreed that statues of Buddha should be placed throughout India so that people could see him and learn from his example.
- Sangha (Sangha) means community or people who come together for spiritual purposes such as meditation or study. This term comes from the Pali word “sangham,” which means community of monks or nuns. The Sangha consists of ordained Buddhists who follow the teachings of the Buddha.
The Conclusion
As the world continues to focus on diversity and inclusion, Buddhism offers a way for humanity to understand each other and ourselves. Peaceful living through loving kindness, understanding, and compassion is what makes each of our lives meaningful. If there’s something we all share as human beings, it’s that we want to be happy. We can live peacefully with ourselves and feel comfortable with others by following the path of the Buddha’s teachings.
References: Part 3 The Triple Gem (Ti-ratana) (mahidol.ac.th)
The Three Gems of Buddhism (tricycle.org)
Three Jewels | The Buddhist Centre