UNDERSTANDING THE DHAMMA JEWEL
The actual refuge is the Dhamma. The Dhamma is the path. The path in Tibetan Buddhism includes incredible analytical meditations that antidote delusions, bringing about deep realisation, love, tolerance, an opening of the heart, a deepening concentration, and experience of this realisation.
UNDERSTANDING THE SANGHA JEWEL
The Sangha Jewel is a Superior Being, One who has attained the path of insight, with complete concentration devoid of the slightest agitation or dullness. Their concentration is so powerful it is as if they become one with the meditation object and because they have perfect concentration they have control over the four elements.
WHAT HAPPENS UPON TAKING REFUGE?
Accepting the Three Jewels as the ultimate refuge. Placing wholehearted faith in the Three Jewels and not relying on worldly gods, spirits, and ordinary beings as an ultimate source of refuge as they aren't free from cyclic existence and therefore cannot be totally reliable as a refuge. Looking at who can take refuge, are those from other religions able to take refuge?
THE STAGES OF TRAINING
We should train ourselves by relying on The Buddha, listening to the highest doctrine (The Dharma), applying thoughts accordingly, practicing in harmony with the teachings, acting with undistracted sense organs, practicing the basic, teachings, keeping the vows purely, acting compassionately towards other living beings and at all times being earnest in offering to the Three Jewels.