TRIRATNA

(SanskritThree Jewels) Pali Ti-ratana, also called Threefold Refuge the three components of the Buddhist and Jain creeds. In Buddhism the Triratna comprises the Buddha, the dharma (doctrine, or law), and the sangha (the monastic order, or community of believers). From the time of the Buddha, initiation into the order has consisted of the formal recognition of the trinity in the words I go to the Buddha for refuge, I go to the Doctrine for refuge, I go to the Order for refuge. In Jainism the three jewels (also referred to as ratnatraya) are understood as samyagdarsana (right faith), samyagjana (right knowledge), and samyakcaritra (right conduct). One of the three cannot exist exclusive of the others, and all are required for spiritual liberation. The Triratna is symbolized frequently in art as a trident.