What does it mean to "take refuge" in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha? What it really means is to stop taking refuge in everything else. Things and experiences which are (1) impermanent, (2) unsatisfying, and (3) not self. Things which don't last, experiences which can't truly satisfy you, and identities which don't actually define you.
Taking refuge in the Buddha means shifting our reliance away from everything that is inherently unstable, unsatisfying, and illusory.
In Buddhist thought, all phenomena—including our thoughts, emotions, and even our identities—are marked by impermanence (anicca), unsatisfactoriness (dukkha), and non-self (anatta). In other words, nothing in our ordinary experience offers the enduring security or fulfillment we seek.
When we say we take refuge in the Buddha, we are acknowledging that nothing external can truly provide lasting happiness or stability.
We often cling to material possessions, relationships, or even fixed ideas about who we are, hoping these will anchor our sense of well-being. However, these are like building a house on quicksand; they may appear to provide support for a time, but their transient nature means that they inevitably lead to disappointment or suffering when they change or fade away.
This commitment is not about rejecting life’s pleasures or the beauty of the world; rather, it is about reorienting our trust from external, fleeting experiences to more enduring qualities.
In practical terms, it means letting go of the habit of seeking security in things that are bound to change and instead cultivating a mind that finds freedom and contentment in the present moment.
Ultimately, taking refuge in the Buddha is a transformative practice. It is a conscious decision to stop placing our trust in what is ultimately unreliable.
Through this shift, we come to understand that true freedom and happiness do not depend on the external conditions of life, but on our inner capacity to see reality as it truly is.