{"id":15961,"date":"2026-07-17T19:40:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T23:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bffct.org\/bff\/?page_id=15961"},"modified":"2026-07-18T08:16:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T12:16:46","slug":"buddhism-101-discovering-the-three-jewels","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bffct.org\/bff\/buddhism-101-discovering-the-three-jewels\/","title":{"rendered":"Buddhism 101: Discovering the Three Jewels"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Taking Refuge in the Buddha, Dharma & Sangha<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

2 Sessions | September 27 & October 11 | Live on Zoom | $108
Enrollment closes September 20, 2026 \u2014 Limited Availability<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does it mean to take refuge?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not to hide. Not to escape. But to come home \u2014 to the deepest, most trustworthy source of wisdom, compassion, and awakening available to any human being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the very heart of Buddhism and its meditation practices lies a single, luminous act: taking refuge in the Three Jewels \u2014 the Buddha<\/em>, the Dharma<\/em>, and the Sangha<\/em>. 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 \u2014 they are the foundation upon which the entire path of awakening is built. To discover them fully is to discover Buddhism itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yet for many people \u2014 longtime practitioners and curious beginners alike \u2014 the true depth and significance of this act remains unexplored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This course changes that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ABOUT THE COURSE<\/h3>\n\n\n
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Buddhism 101: Discovering the Three Jewels<\/strong> is a warm, engaging, and deeply accessible two-session online course exploring one of Buddhism’s most foundational and beautiful teachings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing from the wisdom of Venerable Chan Master Sheng Yen \u2014 one of the twentieth century’s foremost Buddhist teachers \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This course is open to everyone \u2014 complete beginners, longtime practitioners, and anyone curious about Buddhism regardless of background or belief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHAT YOU’LL EXPLORE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Over two live Zoom sessions you will discover:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udeb7 What taking refuge actually means<\/strong> \u2014 not binding but liberating, not a contract but a coming home \u2638\ufe0f The Three Jewels \u2014 Buddha, Dharma & Sangha<\/strong> \u2014 their different levels and dimensions, from the phenomenal to the fundamental \ud83c\udf0a Why the Three Jewels are called “jewels”<\/strong> \u2014 and why they are more precious than any worldly treasure \ud83e\uddd8 How to take refuge<\/strong> \u2014 the ceremony, its meaning, its power, and its profound inner significance \u2728 The eight extraordinary benefits of taking refuge<\/strong> \u2014 and how they ripple through this life and beyond \ud83c\udf3f What it means to live as a Buddhist<\/strong> \u2014 the precepts, the practices, and the path of genuine cultivation \ud83d\udc8e The difference between the Phenomenal and Fundamental Three Jewels<\/strong> \u2014 a teaching that illuminates the very nature of reality<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And throughout \u2014 the beautiful, quietly radical teaching that we are all, in our deepest nature, already home. Taking refuge is simply the act of recognizing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THE REQUIRED READING<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Why Take Refuge in the Three Jewels?<\/strong> by Venerable Chan Master Sheng Yen<\/em> Published by Dharma Drum Mountain | Buddhism for Beginners Series<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 the late, revered Chan (Zen) master, scholar, and meditation teacher \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The book is available completely free of charge.<\/strong> [Download your FREE PDF here \u2192 LINK]<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

COURSE REQUIREMENTS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a structured program \u2014 not a casual book club. Students are asked to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Read the assigned books and complete all Reading Guide assignments before each class. 1st assignment is due at the 1st class.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Attend all four online sessions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. If located in Connecticut \u2014 attend BFF\u2019s Sunday morning Meditation & Talk gatherings (75% attendance encouraged)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. If located outside Connecticut \u2014 connect with a local Buddhist group if one is available<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Practice what is learned \u2014 in meditation, in daily life, and in relationships<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Community practice is an essential ingredient of the Buddha\u2019s path. We cannot do it alone \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    YOUR INSTRUCTOR<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    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<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    PRACTICAL DETAILS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    \ud83d\udcc5 Session 1:<\/strong> Saturday, September 27, 2026 \ud83d\udcc5 Session 2:<\/strong> Saturday, October 11, 2026 \ud83d\udd55 Time:<\/strong> 6:00 PM Eastern (approximately 1.5\u20132 hours per session) \ud83d\udcbb Format:<\/strong> Live on Zoom \u2014 link sent upon registration \ud83d\udcb5 Investment:<\/strong> $108 \ud83d\udcd6 Required Reading:<\/strong> Why Take Refuge in the Three Jewels?<\/em> by Master Sheng Yen \u2014 [Free PDF download \u2192 LINK]<\/strong> <\/a>\u26a0\ufe0f Enrollment closes:<\/strong> September 20, 2026 \ud83c\udf0d Open to all<\/strong> \u2014 regardless of background, experience, or belief<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    REGISTRATION<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Enrollment is limited.<\/strong> Early registration is strongly encouraged to secure your place and allow time to read the book before the first session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By registering you confirm agreement to BFF’s Refund Policy, Disclaimer of Responsibility, Code of Conduct,<\/em> and Image Release Agreement<\/em> as detailed on the registration ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


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