授三歸依大意
The Meaning of Taking the Three Refuges
弘一律師講
Master Hongyi's Teachings
第一章 三歸之略義
Chapter One: A Brief Explanation of Taking the Three Refuges
三歸者，歸依於佛法僧三寶也。
Taking refuge in the Three Refuges means taking refuge in the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
三寶義甚廣，有種種區別。今且就常人最易了解者，略舉之。
The meaning of the Three Treasures is very broad and has many different aspects. Here, let me briefly explain the ones that are easiest for ordinary people to understand.
佛者，如釋迦牟尼佛、阿彌陀佛等諸佛是也。法者，為佛所說之法，或菩薩等依據佛意所說之法，即現今所流傳之大小乘經律論三藏也。僧者，如菩薩、聲聞、諸聖賢眾，下至僅剃髮披袈裟者皆是也。
The Buddha refers to all the Buddhas, such as Shakyamuni Buddha and Amitabha Buddha. The Dharma refers to the teachings spoken by the Buddhas, or the teachings spoken by Bodhisattvas and others in accordance with the Buddhas' intent—that is, the Three Baskets of sutras, vinaya, and commentaries of both the Mahayana and Hinayana traditions that have been passed down to the present day. The Sangha refers to Bodhisattvas, voice-hearers, and all the assemblies of noble and sage beings, extending down to those who have merely shaved their heads and put on monastic robes.
歸依者，歸向依賴之意。
Taking refuge means turning toward and relying upon.
歸依於三寶者，乞三寶救護也。《大方便佛報恩經》云：「譬人獲罪於王，投向異國以求救護。異國王言：『汝來無畏，但莫出我境，莫違我教，必相救護。眾生亦爾，繫屬於魔，有生死罪；歸向三寶，以求救護。若誠心歸依，更無異向，不違佛教；魔王邪惡，無如之何。』
Taking refuge in the Three Treasures means seeking the protection and rescue of the Three Treasures. The Maha-Upaya Buddha's Repayment of Kindness Sutra says: "Suppose a person has committed an offense against a king and flees to another country seeking protection. The king of that other country says: 'Come without fear. Just do not leave my borders and do not disobey my teachings, and I will surely protect you.' Living beings are the same. They are bound to Mara and carry the guilt of birth and death. They turn to the Three Treasures seeking protection. If they take refuge with a sincere heart and turn nowhere else, and do not disobey the Buddha's teachings, then Mara, with all his evil, can do nothing to them."
既已歸依於佛，自今以後，決不再依天仙、神鬼、一切諸外道等。
Since I have now taken refuge in the Buddha, from this day forward, I will never again take refuge in heavenly beings, spirits, ghosts, or any other false teachers.
既已歸依於法，自今以後，決不再依諸外道典籍。
Since I have already taken refuge in the Dharma, from this day forward, I will never again rely on the scriptures of other paths.
既已歸依於僧，自今以後，決不再依於不奉行佛法者。
Since I have already taken refuge in the Sangha, from this day forward, I will never again take refuge in those who do not practice the Dharma.