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Outer Refuge:
Refuge as External Resources
Buddha: the one who points the way
Refuge in the Buddha means taking refuge in Buddha Shakyamuni, the historical buddha. Without his example, we would not have this tradition of practice and teaching. He is the one who showed the way. He was a human being who, moved by the questions of suffering, death and ultimate peace, came to an understanding or knowledge beyond intellect which we now call awakening. He showed that this could be done and taught how to do it.
To take refuge in Buddha Shakyamuni means to see him as a teacher, as person who showed the way, not as a divine being, a savior or a prophet.
Dharma: the way
The Dharma is the collection of teachings which have come down to us through the centuries: the teachings from Buddha Shakyamuni, the sutras and tantras, the commentaries composed by later masters, and all the texts, oral instructions, guidelines, and sayings. These are called the instructional Dharma.
To take refuge in the Dharma is to rely on this body of teaching for instruction and guidance in the path of awakening.
Sangha: the guides
The Sangha, traditionally speaking, are those people who have taken monastic ordination and devoted their lives to that path of waking up. Historically, they have served as models of awakened behavior. The monastic sangha has served to transmit the teaching and practice of wakefulness faithfully from generation to generation.
Fundamentally, the Sangha consists of the people who share the same intention and are making the same journey. In the West, the term sangha is often used incorrectly to refer to a particular community of practitioners around a given teacher. There is only one Sangha, namely, all those who follow the teachings of the Buddha.
The point of practice is not to create a community. The Sangha is more of a companionship. We can and do receive support and guidance from each other but we don't become dependent on others for our practice or well-being.
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