Budahism

The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism teach that life is a suffering, there is a cause of this suffering, it is possible to put an end to this suffering and the Noble Eightfold Path is the means to end this suffering. Refuge in Three Jewels is the three components of Buddhism which protect a person from the unstable world as he progresses on the path to become a Buddhist. The Five Precepts lay downthe moral conduct to make human world a better place to live. These precepts prevent Buddhists from indulging in deeds that restrict spiritual growth and cause harm to others. The Three Marks of Conditioned Existence explain that everything in this world is impermanent, without substance and full of suffering.

Refuge in the Three Jewels

The three Jewels or the Triratna (in Sanskrit) or theThreefold Refuge are the three main components of the Buddhist creed and that of Jain as well. In Buddhism, the three jewels are the Buddha, the Dhamma (doctrine or law), and the Sangha (the monastic order, or community of believers). While on the path of becoming a Buddhist, one needs protection of the three jewels or the Three Refuge as they offer protection from the fickle and unstable world welive in.

The Buddha
In Buddhism, the lord Buddha is considered to be the prime source of inspiration and authority for adherents. The literal meaning of the word 'Buddha' means awakened one, which also suggests that the enlightenment of the Buddha was a 'wake up' sign for the world with more zeal for light and enlightenment with an exemption from ignorance and delusion. In Theravada Buddhism,the Buddha is honored as a special human being who, when confronted with the palpable suffering in the world and convinced that there had to be something more, sought and won enlightenment. 

The Dhamma
The Dhamma refers to the code of conduct, or the doctrine. After the Buddha attained enlightenment, he had two options before Him - Either to keep the Divine knowledge of the truth to Himself, orto enlighten ever other beings, and not surprisingly, he opted for the later. The teachings propounded by the Buddha are known as the Dhamma in Pail or Dharma in Sanskrit language. The Dhamma comprises all the essential doctrines of Buddhism - The Four Noble Truths, Samsara, Karma, Rebirth or the cycle of birth and death etc. These teachings were first committed to writing in the Pail Canon inabout the 1st century BCE.

The Sangha
Another jewel, the Sangha, a monastic community founded by the Buddha is highly revered. A Sangha gives special impetus to the monks and nuns as they make the Buddha's teachings the focus of their lives devote their lives to meditation and welfare of other beings. They exemplify the Buddhist life par excellence providing example, guidance and inspiration toothers as well.

However, a common formula recited by someone wishing to become a Buddhist and by Buddhists more generally is:

» I go for refuge to the Buddha
» I go for refuge to the Dhamma
» I go for refuge to the Sangha
» I go for refuge to the Dhamma
» I go for refuge to the Sangha

The Three Jewels and The Three Refuges remind us that the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha are veryprecious. This is because they offer us an opportunity to work for the enlightenment. At the same time, they offer us protection from being swept along by Samsara, its delusive attractions and its suffering.
The Four Noble Truths

The Four Noble Truths are central key of the entire Buddhist teachings. Though easy to understand, its application grows richer and more profound as the practice growsfurther. The first noble truth is suffering, a condition that all living beings experience in various forms. The cause of suffering is craving or selfish desire. However, the third noble truth or Nirvana is a state which transcends all the sufferings. The fourth noble truth is the Noble Eightfold Path, the Buddha's teaching on the way to attain Nirvana. All these four noble truths are very...