Buddhism in order to remove all these countless beings from suffering.
-- H.H. Sakya Trinzin, from "Treasures of the Sakya Lineage: Teachings from
the Masters", by Migmar Tseten
+~
+ To take refuge in the Buddha means to take refuge in the dharmas that
+constitute a buddha (a nonlearner). These consist of a buddha’s knowledge
+of the termination and nonarising [of the obscurations]. Together with the
+associated factors [of this knowledge], they consist of the five
+uncontaminated skandhas.
+ To take refuge in the sangha means [to take refuge] in the dharmas that
+constitute the sangha, which consists of [all] learners and nonlearners except
+for buddhas. It is by virtue of having attained their respective [dharmas]
+that the eight persons* are not separated from the path by [anyone], including
+gods. Therefore, they are called “sangha.” In other words, [the sangha]
+is represented by the five uncontaminated skandhas in the mind streams of said
+eight persons.
+ To take refuge in the dharma means [to take refuge] in the analytical
+cessation that is nirvana, that is, the two nirvanas [with and without
+remainder] of the noble ones.
+
+*The eight persons are also known as “the four pairs of persons”--stream-
+enterers, once-returners, nonreturners, and arhats, each divided into
+approachers to, and abiders in, these states.
+
+ --from "Groundless Paths: The Prajnaparamita Sutras, The Ornament of Clear
+ Realization, and Its Commentaries in the Tibetan Nyingma Tradition",
+ translated by Karl Brunnholzl, from Shambhala Publications
+