Pali Vocabulary

佛

Awakened One / The Buddha

masculine noun (a-stem): past participle of bujjhati (to awaken/understand)

The Awakened One — specifically Siddhattha Gotama (Sanskrit: Siddhārtha Gautama) who attained complete enlightenment (sammā-sambodhi) under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya c. 5th century BCE. 'Buddha' is a title, not a personal name. The qualities of a Sammā-sambuddha (Fully Self-Enlightened One) include: (1) perfect wisdom (sammā-paññā); (2) perfect compassion (karuṇā); (3) ability to teach the path to others. The first of the Three Jewels.

僧

Community / The Sangha

masculine noun (a-stem): from saṃ (together) + hana (going/striking) — 'coming together'

The community of practitioners — the third of the Three Jewels. Two senses: (1) the Noble Sangha (ariya-saṅgha) — those who have attained stream-entry or above, i.e., all beings who have directly experienced the Dhamma; (2) the conventional Sangha (sammati-saṅgha) — the community of bhikkhu/bhikkhunī (ordained monks and nuns). Taking refuge in the Sangha means taking refuge in the community of those who have seen the truth and can guide others.

三寶

Three Jewels / Triple Gem

neuter compound: ti (three) + ratana (jewel/gem — neuter noun)

The Three Jewels (or Triple Gem) are the central objects of refuge in Buddhism: (1) Buddha — the Awakened One; (2) Dhamma — the Teaching/Truth; (3) Saṅgha — the Community. Taking refuge in the Three Jewels (saraṇagamana) is the foundational act of becoming Buddhist. The Pali word 'ratana' means both 'jewel' and 'precious thing' — suggesting these three are the most precious treasures in the universe.