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The Buddha, referring to the historical Buddha who attained to Perfect Enlightenment, Nirvana, to Perfection through humanly possible effort.

The Dharma, the Teachings, the way that the Buddha show to us, through which we too can perfect ourselves.

The Sangha, the community of monks and nuns, who are striving, have strived and those who have attained this very Perfection, Nirvana.

Taking refuge in the Buddha, we aspire to attain the perfection he attained.
Taking refuge in the Dharma, we apply the Teachings of the Buddha in our lives to change our negative mental habits that brings rise to much stress and suffering.
Taking refuge in the Sangha, we take them as our inspiration and guide, while supporting them in what ways we can.

Buddhist take refuge in this THREE refuges, not two, not four or five.

Just as a pass along the lamp during a candle procession from one to another, this Precious Teachings, the Dharma, was passed down to us from the Buddha through the monks, nuns and lay people till today. Having benefitted from it, it is our duty to preserve this Dharma and hand it down to future generations for their welfare and benefit.

What have you done to share the Buddha’s teachings?

Deja vu? Sorry, your life sucks.

And what if life were nothing like that? 

Coming into contact with the concept of karma (Link: The theory of karma) has been a life changer for me – life is no longer a random game of chance. To accept the workings of karma means to accept ultimate responsibility for how one’s life turns out. In other words, if my life turns out well, then it’s a pat-on-the-back for me – well done, I get all the credit. 

It also means that if I mess up, it’s my fault – not my parents’, not my friends’, not strangers’, not the media’s, not my enemies’.  

In a way, that’s frightening. 

The possible face of karma.

If my life were marked with unhappy occurrences, it would mean that I had, through ignorance and foolishness, acted in ways that cast the seed for these occurrences. And I would now be tasting the fruit. 

Maybe it’s easier to be able to blame someone else. Maybe it’s easier not to have to take responsibility for one’s own thoughts, words and actions – or only take responsibility when the outcome is good. 

Maybe it’s easier if life were like a lottery? 

Because if you could have control over your own life, then *shudder*, it might entail a bit of hard work and individual responsibility for your actions past and present. 

Yet in a way, that’s liberating. 

Maybe it’s easier if life were like a lottery, but would it be better? Because if you always only reap what you sowed, then life is always fair – you always only get what you “deserve”. 

When you plant durian seeds, you deserve...

 http://www.flickr.com/photos/amani1306/ / CC BY 2.0

Now that makes life a game we actually have a chance of winning. So clear the weeds and plant the seeds for your happiness.