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The Three Jewels (The Sangha (Why the sangha is one of the three (Shows…
The Three Jewels
The Sangha
Dictionary meanings of sangha:
- multitude
- assemblage
- the order
- the priesthood
- a community
- the Buddhist church
- a gathering
- monks
The many denominations of Buddhism, e.g. Tibetan or Japanese, have their own 'sangha' so can wholly be referred to as 'sanghas'
Ariya-sangha: "noble ones" - those who have reached at least the first stage of awakening.
Separated into four grades:
1. Stream-entry (those who have realised a spiritual insight into the Dharma from which they can't regress)
2. Once-returners (those who will have one more human life before enlightenment)
3. Non-returners (those who won't return to the human realm and will gain enlightenment from another, celestial, realm)
4. Arihant (saint, a person who has attained nirvana, fully awakened, same as Buddha)
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Important because Buddhists need support to reach enlightenment as it is so difficult. Illustrates that Buddhism has a social aspect and enshrines the ideal society
The Buddha
Important as he is inspiring as just an ordinary man who managed to reach nirvana, he wasn't special or supernatural (not a God). He spread Buddhism and without him there may be no Dharma
Buddha refers to the man but in Mahayana Buddhism it could also refer to 'Buddha-nature', Buddhahood or enlightenment itself.
Zen teacher Robert Aitken said "In a deeper and yet more ordinary dimension, all of us are Buddha. We haven't realised it yet, but that does not deny the fact."
The Dharma
Can have several meanings. Refers to Buddha's teachings and also the law of karma and rebirth as well as ethical rules and mental objects or thoughts
Important because Buddhists need to follow Buddha's teachings in order to reach enlightenment and use them as a guide to refer to for help and guidance
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THE FORMAL CEREMONY OF Ti Samana Gamana (taking the three refuges) IS PERFORMED IN NEARLY ALL SCHOOLS OF BUDDHISM