A common space for harmonic peacemakers

Buddha Life and Teachings

Information

In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of theire own minds and then believe them to be true.
- Buddha

Members: 41
Latest Activity: Aug 24, 2024

9 members like this

The Three Jewels of Buddhism are:
Buddha
Dharma
Sangha
Buddha is, of course, the Enlightened One who first showed others the path. Dharma is the collective term for the teachings of Buddhism. Sangha is the community of Buddhists around the world.
One becomes a Buddhist by taking refuge in the Three Jewels. This is normally done at a special ceremony at a Buddhist Temple, and that is the recommended path, but one can, if sincere, become a Buddhist at any time simply by reciting the following three times:

I take refuge in the Buddha, the one who shows me the way in this life.
I take refuge in the Dharma, the way of understanding and of love.
I take refuge in the Sangha, the comunity that lives in harmony and awareness.

Buddha is the teacher showing the way,
the perfectly awakened one,
beautifully seated, peaceful and smiling,
the living source of understanding and compassion.

Dharma is the clear path
leading us out of ignorance
bringing us back
to an awakened life.

Sangha is the beautiful community
that practices joy,
realizing liberation,
bringing peace and happiness to life.

Dwelling inthe refuge of Buddha, I see clearly the path of light and beauty in the world.
Dwelling in the refuge of Dharma, I learn to open many doors on the path of transformation.
Dwelling in the refuge of Sangha, I am supported by it's shining light that keeps my practice free of obstacles.

Taking refuge in Buddha in myself, I aspire to help all people recongnize their own awakened nature and realize the mind of love.
Taking refuge in the Buddha in myself, I aspire to help all people grasp the way of practice and walk together on path of liberation.
Taking refuge in the Sangha in myself, I sapire to help all people build fourfold communities and encourage the transformation of all beings.

The Three Jewels of Buddhism Buddham Sharanam Gacchami Hymn

On life's journey
Faith is nourishment,
Virtuous deeds are a shelter,
Wisdom is the light by day and
Right mindfulness is the protection by night.
If a man lives a pure life nothing can destroy him;
If he has conquered greed nothing can limit his freedom.

Buddha

Discussion Forum

Buddha's Wisdom

Started by Luna Arjuna Aug 24, 2024. 0 Replies 0 Likes

Animals and the Buddha

Started by Michael John Smith. Last reply by Michael John Smith Dec 26, 2022. 1 Reply 2 Likes

Budda's Flute Soulful Space..Music Video

Started by Dancing Fingers May 14, 2022. 0 Replies 2 Likes

A Buddhist Healing Poem for Peace and Wellness

Started by Luna Arjuna Dec 24, 2018. 0 Replies 1 Like

Reborn

Started by Luna Arjuna Nov 10, 2015. 0 Replies 0 Likes

As we think so we become

Started by Eva Libre Oct 6, 2015. 0 Replies 2 Likes

Buddha’s First Teaching on The Noble Eightfold Path

Started by Eva Libre. Last reply by Ramsai Karri Apr 23, 2015. 3 Replies 3 Likes

The Heart of Dependent Origination

Started by Luna Arjuna Sep 9, 2014. 0 Replies 2 Likes

The root cause of suffering

Started by Eva Libre Jul 25, 2014. 0 Replies 0 Likes

Mantras

Started by Eva Libre. Last reply by Katja Mar 14, 2014. 1 Reply 2 Likes

View All

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of Buddha Life and Teachings to add comments!

Comment by Eva Libre on May 27, 2016 at 11:07pm: Classic Haiku

A huge frog and I,
staring at each other,
neither of us moves.

~ Issa (1763-1827)

Comment by Luna Arjuna on February 11, 2016 at 11:03pm: Photo : Ching Yang Tung

See yourself in others,
Then whom can you hurt?
What harm can you do?

Buddha

Comment by Luna Arjuna on February 10, 2016 at 7:39pm: The thought manifests as the word;
The word manifests as the deed;
The deed develops into habit;
And habit hardens into character.
So watch the thought and its ways
with care,
And let it spring from love
Born out of concern for all beings.
As the shadow follows the body,
As we think, so we become.

Guatama Buddha, Dhammapada

Comment by Eva Libre on January 18, 2016 at 9:36am: Art : Meditating Maitreya, Japan.

"The Buddha was not different from you. No different. That is why he serves as a good model, because he was as you are now. So don't worship the Buddha. Don't put him on a pedestal. Don't even look up to him. Become him. "

Adyashanti

Comment by Luna Arjuna on October 30, 2015 at 7:58pm: Photo: Ikuko Kimura

"Like a caring mother holding and guarding the life of her only child, so with a boundless heart, hold yourself and all beings."

~ Buddha's teaching

Comment by Eva Libre on October 13, 2015 at 12:23pm: "Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one," is saying that one witness is everybody else giving you their feedback and opinions (which is worth listening to, there's some truth in what people say) but the principal witness is yourself. You're the only one who knows when you're using things to protect yourself and keep your ego together and when you're opening and letting things fall apart, letting the world come as it is - working with it rather than struggling against it. You're the only one who knows.

- Pema Chödrön, Start Where You Are

Comment by Eva Libre on July 18, 2015 at 6:57am: QUOTE FOR THE WEEK:

"Chanting the Three Refuges, as we do each day, we feel something just from the beautiful sounds themselves. Taking Refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha is a means of dissolving the ego, throwing away our selfishness, offering ourselves. Taking refuge, we stand in the knowledge that our true nature is clear-minded, warm-hearted. We are following the endless path of the bodhisattva, the path of practice, and of action.

Our balancing of wisdom and compassion is always changing and growing, maturing, being directed into the various circumstances of our lives. When do we do enough, and when do we do too much? And what do we ask of people? This is a very subtle matter."

~ SUBTLE SOUND: THE ZEN TEACHINGS OF MAURINE STUART; Ed w/ Intro: Roko Sherry Chayat (1996)

Comment by roddyg on June 3, 2013 at 10:17pm: This is a really good one Eva.

Comment by Eva Libre on June 3, 2013 at 5:40pm: "Live in joy,

In love,

Even among those who hate.

Live in joy,

In health,

Even among the afflicted.

Live in joy,

In peace,

Even among the troubled.

Live in joy,

Without possessions.

Like the shining ones.

The winner sows hatred

Because the loser suffers.

Let go of winning and losing

And find joy.

There is no fire like passion,

No crime like hatred,

No sorrow like separation,

No sickness like hunger,

And no joy like the joy of freedom.

Health, contentment and trust

Are your greatest possessions,

And freedom your greatest joy.

Look within.

Be still.

Free from fear and attachment,

Know the sweet joy of the way.

How joyful to look upon the awakened

And to keep company with the wise.

How long the road to the man."

BUDDHA