After Do jo ge, I recite the three fold Refuge ( san ki e mon).

We take refuge in the Buddha!
Together with all living beings let us realize the great way and aspire to the unsurpassable intention.

We take refuge in the Dharma!
Together with all living beings let us embrace the riches of the Sutra and make our wisdom and compassion wide and deep as the sea.

We take refuge in the Sangha
Together with all living beings let us lead the multitudes to freedom from all hindrances and suffering.

Southern Buddhists recite these words in Pali
Buddham saranam gacchami.
Dhammam saranam gacchami.
Sangham saranan-i gacchami.

In China the following words are recited:
Na Mo Fo
Na Mo Fa
Na Mo Seng

There are the four favors of Buddhism in NICHIREN~SHu:
- The first favor is to appreciate the favor received from one’s parents.
- The second favor is to appreciate the favor received from one’s King (nation).
- The third favor is to appreciate the favor received from all people (community).
- The fourth favor is to appreciate the favor received from the Three Treasures (Buddha, Dharma and Sangha).

In Buddhism, these treasures are the most important objects of worship.

Taking refuge in the Three Treasures is an absolutely necessary condition for being called a Buddhist. From this point the realization of being a Buddhist begins.

The Three Treasures are the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. The Buddha means Rightly Awakened One and Buddhahood is the final goal in Buddhism. SHAKYAMUNI BUDDHA, the founder of Buddhism, is the first person in history who reached this state. Accordingly, all Buddhists around the world take refuge in this Buddha first. Later, in Mahayana Buddhism, many Buddha other than Shakyamuni came into being.

Examples of other Buddha are Amida Buddha, and Medicine-Master (Yakushi) Buddha, all of whom became objects of worship.

And the DHARMA is one of the Three Treasures, there are writings which are grouped together and called the Tri-Pitaka (san zou), the Three Baskets, or the collection. Among them, the Sutras (Kyo) and the vinaya (ritsu) are generally considered the teaching and regulations expounded by Shakyamuni Buddha. The commentaries and explanation on the Sutra and vinayas (ron), the third part of the scriptures, were made by scholars or priests of high virtue in later times.

The last one, the SANGHA has the following four kinds of members, Ordained male priest, Ordained nun, Layman follower, Laywoman follower. These include all people who believe in the religion called Buddhism and are practicing it in their daily lives. Thus they include all Buddhists. And NICHIREN Dai Shonin said in the Itai Doshinji, all things are possible if people are united in one spirit. Nothing can he accomplished if they are not united.

If the people are of one mind but many in body. They will accomplish their goals. However, if they are of one body but have different minds, they will be unable to accomplish anything remarkable. NICHIREN Dai Shonin often reminded us to be unified in purpose so we can achieve our goals as followers of Lotus Sutra. The words Itai Doshin, meaning one in mind but many in body, are often used to describe unity in the Sangha.

Furthermore, NICIIIREN Dai Shonin said in the Issho Jobutsu Sho, when you polish a dusty mirror, it will surely shine like a jewel. Your immature and misguided mind is like a dusty mirror. When you polish your dusty mind, it will become a mirror reflecting the universal truth. Put your firm faith in the Three Treasures -Buddha, Dharma and Sangha and let your mind shine day and night. How do you get it to shine ? Just say, Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.

by Rev. Myosho Obata
9 May 2004