TRI RATNA

Translated as Triple Jewels, Tri-Ratna Symbolises three basic tenets of Buddhistic organisation and method. The Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha are considered as the triple jewels. Buddhahood, the stage of enlightenment is the ultimate aim of a man which may be attained by the practice of Dhamma or the doctrines of the Buddha and that such a practice is made easy and practical by being a member of the Sangha, the community or the organisation and strictly abiding by its rules and regulations. A Buddhist Sangha is a democratic orgainsation where every emphasis is given to free discussions and harmonious decisions or the decision of the majority. Putting it in other way, Buddhist Trinity or the three fold jewel, namely, Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, is known as the Three –Refuges. On entering a Buddhist order, a recruit s required to pronounce it as a sort of the formula: “I take refuge in the Buddha; I take refuge in the Dharma (Doctrine); I take refuge in the Sangha (Order or Community).” The celibate monks wandered from place to Place, meditating, teaching and seeking alms. However handling of money is prohibited for monks. Based the basic concepts of Tri Ratna, Buddhist institutions developed in various forms including monasteries and nunneries. The acceptance of women into the monastic orders and the recruit¬ment of monks from all strata of society were revolutionary approaches for breaking the ice and making great changes in the social systems and the thought processes of those days when Brah-manic orthodoxy was severely restricting participa¬tion of women in extra domestic roles and that the religious practices were the exclusive monopoly of the Brahmins.