Intro to Preception and the Three Refuges

In this first podcast episode, we talk about the Preception project as a whole and start off our year-long study of the Buddhist precepts with a discussion of the Three Refuges: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. First, we discuss the importance of more “religious” elements of Buddhism that can tend to take a backseat to meditation practice, and how these are actually an integral part of the Buddhist experience. Then we consider the vow to take refuge in Buddha (a teacher, as well as the idea of enlightenment), Dharma (the teachings, as well as the reality of all that is), and Sangha (spiritual community. What does this look like to modern-day practitioners, and why does it matter? (62 minutes)