Sierra Jones

Three Refuges

I go to the Buddha for refuge, I go to the Dharma for refuge, and I go

to the Sangha for refuge.1 In the Jodo Shinshu sect of Buddhism they rely
fully upon the Amida Buddha and his compassion and unconditional love to
save them or allow them passage into the Pure Land. They also follow the
Dharma or Buddhas teachings to guide their way through life. Finally, they
rely on the Sangha, or the community of Buddhas followers, that work
together towards Enlightenment. This essay will discuss the importance of
the Three Refuges, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, in the Jodo
Shinshu sect of Buddhism; what I learned and observed from attending a
service, my research, and from interviewing a member.
The Buddha means the enlightened one, One takes refuge in the
Buddha not by praying to him for help, but by honoring him as a supreme
teacher and inspiring model.2 Jodo Shinshu Buddhists embrace the Amida
Buddha. He is referred to as the Buddha of Infinite Light and Infinite Life.
Followers believe that if one recites the Nembutsu, Namu Amida Butsu,
which translates to I entrust myself to the Amida Buddha, they will be saved
by his grace and compassion. By doing this they believe they will be reborn
into the Pure Land-a heaven like state. Until one reaches this state of

1 www.tricycle.com
2 Fisher, Mary P., Ed. Living Religions. Boston: Pearson, 2014. Ninth Edition. Page 151.

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Enlightenment, the Jodo-Shinshu Buddhist will go through life relying upon

the great wisdom and unconditional compassion of the Amida Buddha. They
do this by being guided moment to moment by the Dharma, and filled with a
sense of continuous gratitude and appreciation to the Buddha. Also, by being
surrounded by others striving this same goal.3
When I walked into the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple, I was ushered into
the Hondo, which is where the main service takes place. There are two main
parts of the Hondo, the Gejin which is the seating area and the Najin which is
the inner altar area. As I walked through the doors I noticed that as people
were entering they bowed before they entered. I bowed, then took a seat.
Upon talking to my interviewee, Suzanne, later during the service I learned
that one bows when they enter and leave the Hondo out of respect, and also
to surrender ones self to the teachings of the Buddha4. The Hondo,
reminded me of other churches I had been to before, with pews leading up a
center aisle, and a podium in front. Then I noticed something I had never
seen before, there was a stage with gold statues with pictures of the Buddha,
candles, beautiful vases with flowers, and lighting fixtures. This area is the
Najin. The candles symbolize the wisdom of the Buddha that illuminates the
darkness of ignorance, and represents the realm of Enlightenment. The
flowers symbolize the compassion of the Buddha representing purity and
beauty. When given as an offering a single flower creates a connection with

3 www.slbuddhist.org
4 Interviewee. Suzanne. 10/18/2015.

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the Buddha.5 There was an altar in the center with a golden statue of the
Amida Buddha a long with tapestries of the Nembutsu, and a painting of the
Buddha. All of the things placed at the altar were there to recognize and
celebrate the Amida Buddha.
At the front of the pews at the bottom of the stage there was an altar
with some incense burners, these are called Koro. In between the Koro there
was a bowl for offerings. I watched as people walked up, placed money in
the bowl, bowed and stepped away. This ritual is called O-Shoko which is the
offering and burning of incense that is done with reverence as respect to
Amida Buddha. It prepares one to receive the Dharma as a reminder of the
impermanence of all things. As I was sitting watching this ritual a woman
came up to me and told me to follow her, she then walked me through the
steps to offer O-Shoko. She told me, Step up to the Koro, with the right
hand take a pinch of incense from the cup, then place the incense into the
burner and bow. Now take two steps back with the right foot first and bow.
After I finished I sat back down I asked Suzanne, what the importance of OShoko was. She told me, It reminds us of our impermance, our lives here
are only temporary, like the burning of incense.
After the majority of people had gone up and preformed O-Shoko, a
bell sounded, I looked towards where the sound was coming from and saw a
man with a wooden mallet. This ritual is called Kansho. During this ritual a
bell is struck to let the Minister know when to enter into the altar area for
5 www.moiliilihongwanji.org

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services to begin. When the bell rang, men dressed in beautiful robes began
walking down the aisle, performed O-Shoko and took their places in the
Najin. After everyone was seated the Minister stood up and welcomed
everyone and thanked them for being there. They then recited a passage
called The Promise which says, We thank the Buddha for showing us the
way of freedom. We will endeavor to walk in his noble path, every day of our
lives6. We then sang a hymn which talked about the garden where the
Buddha reached Enlightenment, and the compassion the Buddha shows us.
Suzanne said, We are getting ready to listen to the Dharma, the Minister will
come up and talk about something that we need to hear.7
The Dharma, or the teachings of the Buddha, are important in the way
to reach Enlightenment. Jodo Shinshu Buddhists although believe in the
Dharma, do not believe it is necessary to strictly follow the Dharma to reach
Enlightenment. The founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, Shinran, believed
that Humanitys ability to listen and practice the Dharma weakens over time
and loses effectiveness in bringing one closer to Enlightenment. His belief
was the power of the Amitabha or the Amida Buddha, One can find
liberation simply by reciting the Nembutsu.8 This path is often called the
Easy Path because there are no strict or difficult practices in order to reach
Enlightenment. Although the Dharma is not integral to the practices of Jodo
6 www.slbuddhist.org
7 Suzanne.10/18/2015
8 www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org

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Shinshu Buddhism, the Minister referenced the teachings of the Buddha

many times throughout his talk.
The Minister stood up, and began by asking everyone to join in with
him in reciting the Nembutsu. He then begins talking about the compassion
of the Amida Buddha, and how it is important to show gratitude for his
compassion, but also to show the same compassion towards others in day to
day life. He stated, We are all the same, it doesnt matter your race,
gender, or sexual orientation. It is important to follow the Buddhas example
of compassion and unconditional love, and accept everyone for who they
are.9
The First step in the Eight Fold Path is the Right Understanding this
step is when one can comprehend the reality of their existence. By
understanding the teachings of the Four Noble Truths, one can reach
Enlightenment. The Four Noble Truths state that life involves suffering,
suffering is caused by craving, and only when the craving ceases can one
reach Enlightenment. He then said, The Buddha doesnt ask for blind
followers, his teachings promote self-discovery and gaining the wisdom for
oneself. He then talked about the Eight Fold Path and that having the Right
Mindfulness he said, Its easy to be comfortable, or lazy, but we do not need
to be selfish, there is a fine line between being comfortable and being
selfish.10 So many people in this age of society only take the time to focus

9 Reverend Hirano. 10/18/2015

10 Reverend Hirano. 10/18/2015.

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on themselves. By focusing on the step of Mindfulness, being focused,

disciplined, and most of all to be mindful of others, connects one to the
Buddha. I asked Suzanne if she followed the Eight Fold Path and what she
did if she was having a hard time living one of the steps. She told me, Its
important to try to live the Eight Fold Path as best as you can. It ties all the
Dharma together, and its also important to remember that we are human,
we all make mistakes. When it gets hard or bad thoughts come in to my
head, I try to think of the love of the Buddha. I do this by, pushing out the
negative thoughts and focus on the loving kindness of Amida.11 The Dharma
is of importance, because it teaches a noble way of life.
While I was at this specific service they had an affirmation ceremony.
This is called the Kie Shiki which is an opportunity for those who aspire to live
the Buddhist way of life to affirm their entry onto the path of the Nembutsu.12
There was about ten people who were getting affirmed. They would walk up
one by one to the Minister who stood above them holding a scroll, inscribed
with the Nembutsu. He would recite the Nembutsu and they would follow,
and also pledging to take refuge in the Buddha the Dharma and the Sangha
and to live a Buddhist way of life. While they do this the Minister taps the
scroll across their head three times. After which they bow and then are given
a Buddhist name or a Homyo. This name is given to each person as an

11 Suzanne.10/18/2015.
12 www.seattlebetsuin.org

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indication that the person aspires for the Truth and is now counted as a part
of the Sangha.13
The Sangha is also of great importance. In regards to the Jodo Shinshu
Buddhists it means the followers of the Buddha. Trying to achieve
enlightenment by yourself and only for yourself is like trying to walk uphill
during a mudslide. Opening yourself to others, supporting and being
supported, is critical to loosening the fetters of ego and selfishness.14 The
Sangha is not only a very important aspect of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism but
also for the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple. They have a community, they have
activities and experience life together all on a forward movement towards
Enlightenment. Suzanne said that some of her best friends are a part of the
Sangha, she has met some from activities held at the church and brought
friends who have in turn become a part of the Sangha.
The Amida Buddha shows great compassion towards the Sangha, and
one takes refuge in the Buddha by reciting the Nembutsu. By doing this one
will be reborn into the Pure Land. One takes refuge in the Dharma. The
teachings of the Buddha are of importance in living day to day toward the
path of Enlightenment. One takes refuge in the Sangha, it is hard to live this
life a lone but with others who are striving to a common goal it becomes
easier. The companionship within the sangha is a kind of clean friendship
without expectation, without demand, but at the same time, fulfilling.15 By
13 www.seattlebetsuin.org
14 www.buddhism.about.com
15 www.buddhism.about.com

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taking refuge in the Sangha, we become the refuge. This is the path of the
Buddhas. After researching, and observing a key doctrine of Buddhism. It
was interesting to see the aspects of the Three Refuges put to practice
during the service, and see the importance while speaking with a member.
The Jodo Shinshu Buddhists fully rely upon the Amida Buddha and use the
Dharma to guide their way through life. Along with help from the Sangha. I
enjoyed learning about this topic, and have a better understanding of
Buddhism as a whole.