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THE TRUE REFUGE VIIX The True Refuge 19 February 2004 People, animal companions and material things are not a true refuge. These things are not lasting in nature and are subject to change and, at best, they can only be a temporary refuge. Instead, our true refuge is not subject to change which means that it possesses the omnipotent characteristics: permanence, blissfulness, and true self. Even things which have lasted millions or billions of years like the sun, the moon and stars cannot be our refuge because they too will eventually disappear altogether, along with those people who believe in the planets. The Lord Buddha investigated throughout and beyond the three realms of existence and discovered that the true and only refuge is the Buddha Gem, Dhamma Gem and Sangha Gem. These three eternal things, known as the Triple Gem, exist within every human being.