The Three Jewels
Buddham Saranam Gachami; Dharmam Saranam Gachami; Sangham Saranam Gachami. The three jewels- Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha- are the foundation of the Buddhist practice. This chant means, "I take refuge in the Buddha (potential for enlightenment, just like the Buddha), the Dharma (the teachings), and the Sangha (the community)". Chanting this mantra is an aspiration or decision to rely on these elements as a foundation for spiritual practice. Relax into the chant; listen to the sound you're making, knowing that your voice joins a community of countless people who have chanted this for over 2000 years!
