ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ratnatraya

Ratnatraya is a word made up of two different Sanskrit words - "ratna" and "traya". "Ratna" means "jewel" and "traya" means "three". So when you put these two words together, "ratnatraya" means "three jewels".

But what are these three jewels? Well, in Buddhism, the "three jewels" refer to three very important things that guide people in their spiritual journey. These three jewels are the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

The first jewel is the Buddha. The Buddha is often seen as a teacher, a guide or a wise person who is able to teach the path to enlightenment. The second jewel is the Dharma. The Dharma is the teachings of the Buddha, which are aimed at guiding people towards enlightenment. Lastly, the third jewel is the Sangha. The Sangha refers to the Buddhist community or the group of people who have devoted themselves to following the teachings of Buddha.

So when people refer to "ratnatraya", they are often talking about the three jewels of Buddhism, which are important guide for those who want to follow the path to enlightenment.
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