San Mg Bu Pm Pc 49Precious Things
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ratana
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Explanation of the Ratana Sutta (The Jewels)
Background
The Ratana Sutta belongs to the traditional Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka and is recorded in the Sutta Vibhaṅga volumes. It is a short discourse, yet one of profound meaning, appearing in the context of early Buddhism when the Buddha and his disciples were spreading the Dharma throughout India.
The title "Ratana" (Jewels) differs from the worldly concept of material wealth. In early Buddhist studies, "jewels" refer to the highest spiritual values that human beings can attain through practice. This discourse is a profound declaration of the true "jewels" of the Buddha Dharma, outlining the core principles that make the Teaching precious.
Main Content
The Ratana Sutta speaks of the three fundamental jewels: the Three Jewels (Triratna). First is the Buddha--the teacher endowed with perfect wisdom and awakened to nirvana. Next is the Dharma (Dhamma)--the teachings on the truth of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path leading to liberation. Finally is the Sangha--the community of renunciants who have followed and practiced the Buddha's teaching, becoming living evidence of the possibility of attaining nirvana.
These three jewels are not abstractions, but realities that can be approached and directly realized. Each jewel has its own qualities: the Buddha represents perfect wisdom, the Dharma reveals the objective truth of nature, and the Sangha shows the human capacity to cultivate and awaken. The discourse emphasizes that these jewels are never lost, never decay, and bring true protection to those who take refuge.
In addition, the discourse also refers to a hidden fourth treasure in Theravāda--the Path (Magga), that is, the Noble Eightfold Path leading to the prevention of suffering, and Fruition (Phala), the states of mind attained through practicing the path.
Practical Meaning
In modern practice, the Ratana Sutta guides us to recognize clearly the three fundamental refuges.
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