Three Jewels (Triratna),

The Buddha, Who s The Example To Follow;

The Dharma, Consisting Of His Teachings;

The Sangha, The Community Of People Following The Buddhas Tradition.

The Three Yanas

Tibetans view Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana as the three yanas, or vehicles that constitute
the three major stages of the Buddhist path. In the Tibetan perspective, one follows the path to
enlightenment by first practicing the Hinayana, then the Mahayana, and finally the Vajrayana. One
first enters the Hinayana by taking refuge in the Buddha, dharma, and sangha, and one then pursues
an ethical life and practices meditation. Subsequently, one follows the Mahayana, by taking the
bodhisattva vow and working for the welfare of others as well as oneself. And then one enters the
Vajrayana, fulfilling ones bodhisattva vow through various methods of intensive meditation practice.