What are the basic principles of being a Buddhist?
The perception of ‘being a Buddhist’ will vary between different cultures, but in the Theravada tradition the common standard is taking the ‘Three Refuges’ and the ‘Five Precepts’. It is important to get some understanding of what these mean before making a commitment. The Buddha – is traditionally thought of as a person but ‘Buddha’ is actually a title. It means ‘awakened or enlightened one’. It refers to a quality or way of being that we are all able to realise. Taking refuge in Buddha is saying ‘I trust that this enlightenment is possible and that I will make an effort to be ‘awake’ (not daydreaming or heedless) as I live my life. The Dhamma – is the teaching of the Buddha. These teachings are really just expressions of natural laws which the Buddha came to understand – particularly the laws of human nature. When we take refuge in Dhamma, we take refuge in the teachings of the Buddha – which is refuge in the truth and purity of our own true nature. The Sangha – which means congregat
