The Five Precepts & Three Refuges

• The Three Refuges in Diagnostic Terminology


  Commitment that Buddhists make to follow the Buddhist path:

  • The Buddha - The respected and inspiring teacher (Doctor)
  • The Dharma - Teachings on the nature of reality (Medicine)
  • The Sangha - Buddhist community where teachings are guided (Hospital)
• Meaning of taking refuge


  Central to Buddhists and is considered the entrance to the Buddhist path. The idea of taking refuge stems from the view that our suffering is so great that we need help to resolve it.

  By taking refuge, a Buddhist is consciously identifying enlightenment as their aim, committing themselves through inner development and transformation.

  Taking refuge is deciding on Buddhism as the religious path to follow in order to attain our aim in life.
• "You are your own refuge"

  • Even if you have the teachings, community etc. If you aren't willing to follow this path, it won't work.
• Bhikkhu Bodhi Analogy 


  The Buddha's teaching can be thought of as a kind of building, the door to entering it is the triple gem. Refuge functions as an entryway to the dispensation of the Buddha
• Seeking refuge in the Buddha

  • There as a way of guiding us away from samsara
  • seeking refuge does not mean worshipping the Buddha
  • He is the supreme embodiment pf purity, wisdom and compassion
  • Taking refuge shows respect and gratitude
• Seeking refuge in the Dharma

  • Denotes universal truth that exists whether we are aware of it or not.
  • Denotes Shakyamuni Buddha's teaching, and he taught the universal truth
  • Path one follows when a Buddhist
  • Personal realisations of truth are gained through teachings
  • The practitioner comes to embody the teachings of the Buddha
• Seeking refuge in the Sangha

  • Word for the community of people who follow the Buddhist path
  • Laypeople are then able to acknowledge their vital role, not only for the continuation of the religion but also for the welfare of the community. Monastics provide spiritual guidance, householders provide donations for monks.
  • Monastics have authority because they maintain Buddhism as a living religion and provide a field of merit, without that it'd be reduced to books.
  • Alms round
  • Monks are well respected, seen as an excellent example of the Buddha's teaching by renouncing all worldly possessions.
• Taking refuge in the Buddha:

  • Therevadins take refuge in the teachings and inspirational life of Siddharta Gautama
  • He is respected but not worshipped as he is not a deity
  • They have respect for his journey
• Statues and Images:

  • Remind Buddhists how special he was and how large his impact and spiritual presence is.
• The Mahayana understanding of taking refuge in the sangha:

  Very different:

  • In Chinese and Japanese schools, the Vinaya adapted and evolved, from Pure Land Buddhists who have no monks at all, instead priests who are allowed to marry and have families, to Soto Zen, where monks may live a communal life of poverty and simplicity akin to the lifestyle of Therevadin monastics.
• The Five Precepts


  A set of ethical guidelines that promote positive behaviour:

  • Abstain from harming any living being
  • Abstain from taking what is not given
  • Abstain from abuse of sensory pleasures
  • Abstain from false speech
  • Abstain from clouding the mind with intoxicants
• Abstain from harming any living being

  Encourages the principle of Ahimsa

  They all have a positive counterpart:

  • Compassion for all living beings

  Harm does not always mean killing, it refers to psychological harm too.

  Self-defense is accepted

  A) Ahimsa Symbol

  
• Abstain from taking what is not given

  • Encourages generosity
  • Refrain from theft or knowingly taking advantage/ exploiting people, taking w/o permission and taking more than entitled to.
• Refrain from misuse of the senses

  Encourages moderation

  • Adultery, incest & rape
  • Self-indulgent acts eg. overeating are advised against
  • Sex isn't a 'sin', it just needs to not lead to harm
• Abstain from false speech


  The second most important

  • A person who has no shame of intentional lying is capable of any evil action
  • Use words wisely
  • The more one deceives others, the more spiritually ignorant they become.
• Abstain from clouding the mind


  Encourages mindfulness

  • It aids right mindfulness
  • When intoxicated one is more likely to break other precept
  • Selling alcohol disobeys "right livelihood"
• The monastics


  Everyone looks the same:

  • Takes away 'the self'
  • About equality
  • Cools down the ego (Anatta)
  • Lack of attachment to the self

  The simple life: Basic and just enough without excess

  Reliant on other people (Alms round)

  Everything a monastic has is donated to them
• Life in the monastic order


  Renounce worldly possessions, but they do not renounce society. There are no permanent vows. It is encouraged that all Buddhists spend at least 3 months as a monastic. Monks provide education.

  Monks commit to:

  • Poverty, Celibacy and Inoffensiveness

  (for the time that they are monastics)
• Entering the Monastery


  Must be:

  • Free from debt
  • Have permission from family/employer
  • Free from contagious disease

  Donated essential items:

  • Robe, belt, razor, bowl, toothpick etc.
• Rules in the Sngha


  They must abide by and recite the 227 Vinaya rules. Some rules are 3000 years old and made from the experiences of past disciples.

  Theravada Monastic 5 extra Rules:

  • Abstain from food after midday (cooling desire and greed)
  • Abstain from a luxurious bed (it's an unnecessary luxury)
  • Abstain from frivolous entertainment (not spiritually helpful)
  • Abstain from personal adornments (attachment/vanity)
  • Abstain from the handling of silver/gold (cools desire/greed)

  They highlight the middle way.

  Theravada monks also take a vow of celibacy.
• Is one of the 3 refuges better?


  Dharma exists with or without Buddha

  • But, you need Buddhas to interpret and teach the dharma
  • But the Buddhist community keeps it alive.
• The most important of the 227 Vinaya rules


  The 4 Parajikas:

  • Not to have sexual intercourse
  • Not to steal
  • Not to murder
  • Not to make false claims of spiritual achievement