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Is Buddhism a religion?

A Buddhist = An insider, one who knows that external manifestations are not the cause of ones suffering or happiness, but ones own mind that names and relates.

TAKING REFUGE

The demarcation between a Buddhist and a non-Buddhist generally is if you take refuge in the Triple Gem.  ‘Refuge’ means a shelter or a place to go when you are scared of something or need comfort and protection. 

When we take refuge we are most often motivated by a desire to avoid suffering.  We all experience suffering and difficulties in our life.   We all take refuge.  Perhaps in chocolate when we are unhappy; or the mountains when we need solitude.  It is very important to carefully choose our objects of refuge.

Taking refuge in the Triple Gem means taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.  It is the foundation of one’s spiritual practice.   

The Buddha is someone who has overcome all suffering and difficulties in life.  The Dharma is the teachings of the Buddha: both the words He spoke and also the insight and understanding that arise when we contemplate His words.  The Sangha are the followers of the Buddha who practice His teachings.  As we take refuge we become aware that the way to avoid suffering is to identify actions which give rise to suffering (and subdue them) and to identify actions which give rise to happiness (and actualise them).   To do this we can confidently follow the inspirational examples of the historical Shakyamuni Buddha and other great teachers. 

There is a special ceremony that one can undertake to formally take refuge in the Triple Gem and call oneself a Buddhist.  In this ceremony a Vajra Master cuts off a small piece of one’s hair to symbolize we are cutting ourselves away from past habits.  We are given a new name to symbolize our willingness to change.  We undertake from that moment onwards to do our best to avoid harming others and to bring benefit to all others whenever that is possible.

The result of taking Refuge in the Triple Gem is learning to alleviate our suffering and to give our life meaning.  The result of taking refuge in the Triple Gem helps us to understand the nature of those thoughts and feelings which once made us to suffer.  Ultimately, taking refuge in the Triple Gem leads one to enlightenment in the long term.  Therefore, the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha are referred to as the Triple Gem because together they are as precious as a diamond.