This week Dharmakasara shared some of her thoughts with us about the Three Refuges, the Five Precepts, and the organic relationship between them.

We chant the Three refuges and the negative precepts in Pali – why do we do that? It connects us as Buddhists throughout the world- as we’re chanting them, so too, will be other Buddhists in many different countries.

Doing it this way also connects us to all Sangha throughout the ages, whilst honouring the oral tradition of early Buddhism; which was not preserved in written form until 29BCE

We explored the English meanings of the Pali and, indeed, chanted the Refuges and Precepts in English during our Dhammapada puja later in the evening. It has a different ‘feel’ to do it this way.

Dharmakasara encouraged us to learn the English so we can truly mean what we’re saying when we chant in Pali.

Going For Refuge to the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha is the central and defining act of all Buddhists: it’s what makes us a member of the Sangha.

If we Go for Refuge, we’ve committed to transforming our lives in the light of the Buddha’s teachings (Dharma), alongside others, also committed to the Three Jewels (Sangha)by way of practising the precepts.

Dharmakasara shared her delight and inspiration that the precepts are training principles, not rules or commandments. We don’t speak of right and wrong,  but of skilful and unskilful. There is no end to our capacity for becoming more and ever more skilful: more compassionate, kind and wise. How exciting!