01. Undertake to take refuge in the Buddha, the awakened nature of all beings.
This is, via the texts and teachers, taking shelter and protection in oneness, the absolute, unconditioned and original nature of all things.
Buddhists revere the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, the Enlightened One, someone who has awakened to the true nature of reality and overcome suffering, as well as other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
02. Undertake to take refuge in the Dharma, the ocean of wisdom and compassion. (Dharma=Pali, Dhamma=Sanskrit)
Even if others should seek to cut off my head, though I have done them not the slightest wrong, to take upon myself, out of compassion, all the harms they have amassed, this is the practice of all the bodhisattvas.
This is the following of the compassionate teachings of the Buddha as expressed in the sutras and other articulated discourses such as the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and various other scriptures and practices.
These teachings guide practitioners on the path to liberation and following them is the path toward Nirvana.
03. Undertake to take refuge in the Sangha, the interdependence of all creations.
The community of Buddhist practitioners support each other on the path to liberation, the community includes monks, nuns, laypeople, and other individuals who share the Buddhist commitment to enlightenment.
Fortnightly, at the time of the full and new moon (the uposatha days), followers of the Buddha would gather to reaffirm their sense of community and purpose by reciting their basic beliefs and training rules, such as the Threefold Refuge and the codes of conduct. Join in with this harmonious community.