狮吼音·开示集：皈依的核心

　　真正的皈依三宝，就理想状况而言，并非皈依任何个人。我们皈依的核心---佛---指的是释迦牟尼佛，他是我们这个时代的佛，他传授教法，所以释迦牟尼佛是根本的皈依对象，不能为任何人或神所取代。

　　在佛陀的教法中，曾提到每一位有情都是自己的救护者。这句话的意思不可以错误解释为轮回中的每一个众生都是自己的救护者。佛陀已示下(解脱之法)道，毫无疑问，他是皈依处；然而，法宝才是实际皈依处：我们应在僧宝的帮助下，令正法与内在相应而表露于外。故藉由实践教法-佛陀最重要之意旨，而获得解脱，这样我们才能真正成为救护自己的人。

　　In taking refuge in the Three Jewels, ideally, one is not taking refuge in an individual person. For us, the primary focus of "buddha" is Shakyamuni Buddha. It is important to recognize the buddha of this time. The buddha of this time, who has taught the teachings, is Shakyamuni Buddha. So Shakyamuni Buddha has to be the principal focus of refuge, not any person or deity taking that place. Also, the teaching of the Buddha mentions that one is one's own protector. The point to be understood here it is not that, in your confused samsaric state, you are your own protector. The Buddha has shown the path. The Buddha is an object of refuge, undoubtedly. Yet the actual object of refuge is the Dharma, which the individual must integrate for their potential to become manifest through the support of the Sangha. By applying the practice of the Dharma, the central message of the Buddha, one can gain liberation. It is in this way that one can become one's own protector.