Refuge The act of committing oneself to the Buddhist path. One takes refuge in the Buddha, his teaching and the assembly of practitioners. Buddhist refuge is unique in being capable of definitively protecting ourselves and others from suffering and progressively establishing all beings in a state of permanent happiness. The ultimate refuge is the Buddha, the state of enlightenment. The Dharma and sangha are the temporary refuges as they guide us towards this state. See also the Three Jewels.

Root lama Lama is the Tibetan translation of the Sanskrit word 'guru', or spiritual master. 'Root' means that we have created a special connection with this lama. He is the root of all our spiritual accomplishments..