Taking Refuge in the Buddha, Dharma & Sangha
2 Sessions | September 27 & October 11 | Live on Zoom | $108
Enrollment closes September 20, 2026 — Limited Availability
What does it mean to take refuge?
Not to hide. Not to escape. But to come home — to the deepest, most trustworthy source of wisdom, compassion, and awakening available to any human being.
At the very heart of Buddhism and its meditation practices lies a single, luminous act: taking refuge in the Three Jewels — the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. It is the first step on the Buddhist path, and in many ways the most important one. Every ceremony, every practice, every vow in Buddhism begins here. The Three Jewels are not peripheral — they are the foundation upon which the entire path of awakening is built. To discover them fully is to discover Buddhism itself.
And yet for many people — longtime practitioners and curious beginners alike — the true depth and significance of this act remains unexplored.
This course changes that.
ABOUT THE COURSE
Buddhism 101: Discovering the Three Jewels is a warm, engaging, and deeply accessible two-session online course exploring one of Buddhism’s most foundational and beautiful teachings.
Drawing from the wisdom of Venerable Chan Master Sheng Yen — one of the twentieth century’s foremost Buddhist teachers — and guided by BFF’s own Rev. G.R. Lewis, M.A., this course will open your eyes to what taking refuge truly means, why it matters, and how it can transform your relationship with the Buddhist path and with your own life.
This course is open to everyone — complete beginners, longtime practitioners, and anyone curious about Buddhism regardless of background or belief.
WHAT YOU’LL EXPLORE
Over two live Zoom sessions you will discover:
🪷 What taking refuge actually means — not binding but liberating, not a contract but a coming home ☸️ The Three Jewels — Buddha, Dharma & Sangha — their different levels and dimensions, from the phenomenal to the fundamental 🌊 Why the Three Jewels are called “jewels” — and why they are more precious than any worldly treasure 🧘 How to take refuge — the ceremony, its meaning, its power, and its profound inner significance ✨ The eight extraordinary benefits of taking refuge — and how they ripple through this life and beyond 🌿 What it means to live as a Buddhist — the precepts, the practices, and the path of genuine cultivation 💎 The difference between the Phenomenal and Fundamental Three Jewels — a teaching that illuminates the very nature of reality
And throughout — the beautiful, quietly radical teaching that we are all, in our deepest nature, already home. Taking refuge is simply the act of recognizing it.
THE REQUIRED READING
Why Take Refuge in the Three Jewels? by Venerable Chan Master Sheng Yen Published by Dharma Drum Mountain | Buddhism for Beginners Series
This beautifully written 46 page pocket guide is one of the clearest, most accessible, and most profound introductions to taking refuge available in the English language. Master Sheng Yen — the late, revered Chan (Zen) master, scholar, and meditation teacher — addresses common misconceptions, explains the different levels of the Three Jewels, walks through the refuge ceremony itself, and illuminates the extraordinary benefits of this foundational act.
The book is available completely free of charge. [Download your FREE PDF here → LINK]
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
This is a structured program — not a casual book club. Students are asked to:
- Read the assigned books and complete all Reading Guide assignments before each class. 1st assignment is due at the 1st class.
- Attend all four online sessions
- If located in Connecticut — attend BFF’s Sunday morning Meditation & Talk gatherings (75% attendance encouraged)
- If located outside Connecticut — connect with a local Buddhist group if one is available
- Practice what is learned — in meditation, in daily life, and in relationships
Community practice is an essential ingredient of the Buddha’s path. We cannot do it alone — the sangha (community of practitioners) is one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism, and it will support and deepen your learning in ways that study alone cannot.
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Rev. G.R. Lewis, M.A. has served as BFF of Connecticut’s guiding teacher since 2001. A former student of the Venerable Thich Tri Hong and the esteemed late Dr. (Rev.) Taitetsu Unno, he has practiced Buddhism for over 30 years and brings a rare combination of scholarly depth, personal warmth, and genuine lived experience to every class. For his full biography, visit Our Teachers page.
PRACTICAL DETAILS
📅 Session 1: Saturday, September 27, 2026 📅 Session 2: Saturday, October 11, 2026 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM Eastern (approximately 1.5–2 hours per session) 💻 Format: Live on Zoom — link sent upon registration 💵 Investment: $108 📖 Required Reading: Why Take Refuge in the Three Jewels? by Master Sheng Yen — [Free PDF download → LINK] ⚠️ Enrollment closes: September 20, 2026 🌍 Open to all — regardless of background, experience, or belief
REGISTRATION
Enrollment is limited. Early registration is strongly encouraged to secure your place and allow time to read the book before the first session.
By registering you confirm agreement to BFF’s Refund Policy, Disclaimer of Responsibility, Code of Conduct, and Image Release Agreement as detailed on the registration ticket.