Shundo David Haye – Zen Priest

‘The first three precepts, the three refuges, aren’t precepts, strictly speaking. They don’t describe commitments to do or not do something. Instead they point to the confidence in human goodness bodhisattvas feel and that underlies their practice of ethical conduct.

This confidence is expressed by the oldest formula in Buddhism: refuge in the three treasures of Buddha, dharma, and sangha.

To take refuge in the three treasures is to confirm as one’s primary motivation the bodhisattva commitment to working toward goodness and depth in living. For bodhisattvas, it isn’t enough to get what you need and desire, to protect yourself and your family, to accumulate wealth, security, and reputation. I’s not that bodhisattvas are against any of that; they too recognize these goals and desires as natural. lis just that bodhisattvas are committed to a much more ambitious goal, a greater obligation, a higher and wider calling. They want much more joy, much more love, much more justice and well-being, for themselves and for everyone. Personal well-being is only a means to this end.’