Buddhist traditions, Nivedita and Coomaraswamy
Three Jewels
The collection names the three gems as Buddha, the Law and the Church when Devadatta voices acceptance at the end of his story. The terms identify teacher, doctrine and community in the retelling’s English vocabulary. At the final departure the Buddha says that the elements of the all-knowing one will pass away but the three gems remain. Personal loss is distinguished from the continuing supports available to followers.
Also known as Three Gems · Buddha Dharma Sangha · Triratna
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In the sources
Principal account
TraditionalThe collection names the three gems as Buddha, the Law and the Church when Devadatta voices acceptance at the end of his story. The terms identify teacher, doctrine and community in the retelling’s English vocabulary.
Further detail
TraditionalAt the final departure the Buddha says that the elements of the all-knowing one will pass away but the three gems remain. Personal loss is distinguished from the continuing supports available to followers.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows the collection’s two references to the three gems. Church is its historical English rendering for the Buddhist community; the modern aliases clarify terminology without equating that community with a Christian institution.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists
the Buddha, the Law, and the ChurchOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists (1914), active reader leaf 343
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0109-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0109-E001-P0343
- Original scan leaf
- 343
- Recorded leaf number
- 343
- Current Reader position
- 334
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists
the three gems will remainOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists (1914), active reader leaf 344
Exact passage checked against active scan text and original-leaf mapping; scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0109-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0109-E001-P0344
- Original scan leaf
- 344
- Recorded leaf number
- 344
- Current Reader position
- 335
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Nirvana
Release from the fetters of individuality, explained by the collection through a broken pot and open space.
Shared source pageAnanda
The disciple who pleads for women’s admission and grieves at Buddha’s final departure.
Same subject and traditionBodhisattva
The Buddha-elect whose long preparation joins sacrifice to the power to enlighten others.
Same subject and traditionWheel of the Law
The collection’s image for Buddha’s continuing proclamation of the teaching.