In Tibetan Buddhism there are three refuge formulations, the Outer, Inner, and Secret forms of the Three Jewels. The ‘Outer’ form is the ‘Triple Gem’, (Sanskrit: Triratna), the ‘Inner’ is the Three Roots and the ‘Secret’ form is the ‘Three Bodies’ or trikaya of a Buddha.

Refuge origins:

the term refuge exist in ancient India way before the Buddha, we can see the refuge is take in vedic scriptures and bhagavad Gita. In the gita Krishna talk about taking refuge in him to find salvation. For the Buddha Dharma refuge got another signification, taking refuge on the three jewels the buddha the dharma the sangha as the meaning of taking refuge on the teacher, the teaching and the assembler.

Refuge vows

Refuge vows aren’t something to take lightly, they are extremely sacred from Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana without refuge we go no where. If you not on the Buddha dharma yet you took refuge because whatever reason and them left that refuge well you drag yourself to lower realm because those extremely sacred vows aren’t for everyone. If we take Milarepa example who took seven years to just have those vows, passing pain after pain challenge after challenge to be able to finally take refuge.

Refuge meaning :

the meaning of refuge is first do what The historic Buddha did renouncing to everything in this world for the sake of all beings.

The second meaning of refuge is also taking refuge on our teacher who show the dharma and the practice we do to achieve our true nature.

Third meaning of refuge is taking refuge on our true nature, unconditional love, compassion and wisdom emptiness of our mind.

Reason refuge is timeless those who dearly practice like Anguimala did could realise there true nature of mind.

Refuge Prayer

Tibetan Buddhists “take refuge” in the Three Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the teachings of the Buddha (Dharma), and the spiritual community of Buddhists (Sangha).

Before we look at the meaning of taking refuge, let’s see the common refuge prayer, called kyamdro in Tibetan, written out phonetically in Tibetan and then in English:

Sangye choe dang tsok kyi chok nam la
Jang chup bar du dak ni kyap su chi
Dak gi jin sok gyi pay sonam kyi
Dro la phen chir sangye drup par shok

Until I am enlightened, I take refuge
In the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Through the merit I create by practicing giving and the other perfections
May I attain Buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings.