It is by taking refuge in the Three Jewels the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha that we can receive their all-encompassing and complete benefit. We do not create this immeasurable benefit. Rather, our practice makes it possible to receive these benefits.

We are refugees lost in the wilderness who have wandered lifetime after lifetime looking for shelter and a means to happiness. Finally, we have come upon the sublime place to attain awakening and achieve our heart’s true desire. This place is the refuge of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

With little effort we receive immeasurable benefit. This principle is written about in the Mo-Ho Chih-Kuan. Through our assiduous practices we gradually attain enlightenment. Our objective is enlightenment for all beings. When we take refuge, we may initially only be seeking the end to our suffering, hence we have only exerted small effort. As we continue our practice our focus should begin to shift to the desire to enable all people to experience the great joy we have. To cultivate and manifest the desire to save all beings requires greater effort than to merely think only of oneself. The more we engage in the selfless practice for others, the more our own benefit of enlightenment increases.