What are the Triple Gems? (Tisarana)

The Triple Gems - or the Three Jewels - of Buddhism refer to the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha.

Buddha

The Buddha was born in 543 BC in what is now known as Nepal and was given the name Siddhattha Gotama. At the age of 29 he renounced the life as the son of a king and became a homeless ascetic. After six year's of practice and contemplation, Buddha attained Nibbana (Nirvana), and spent the next 45 years with tireless teaching until he died at the age of 80.

Dhamma

The Dhamma (Dharma) is the teachings of the Buddha, which has been handed down in the ancient Pali language, and preserved in three collections of hooks, called the Tipitaka (the three baskets). The Dhamma is not a doctrine of revelation, but offers a realistic system of ethics and analysis as well as practical methods of mind trainings.

Sangha

The Sangha is the order of Bhikkhus (mendicant monks) founded by the Buddha and which still exists in its original form throughout South East Asia. The purpose of the Sangha is to provide the outer framework and favorable conditions for all those who wish to practice the path.
The triple gems form the Threefold Refuge of the Buddhists. One declares oneself a Buddhist by reciting this formula:

To the Buddha I go for refuge ( Buddham Saranam Gacchami)
To the Dhamma I go for refuge ( Dhammam Saranam Gacchami)
To the Sangha I go for refuge ( Sangham Saranam Gacchami)

For the second time - to the Buddha I go for refuge
For the second time - to the Dhamma I go for refuge
For the second time - to the Sangha I go for refuge

For the third time - to the Buddha I go for refuge
For the third time - to the Dhamma I go for refuge
For the third time - to the Sangha I go for refuge

The recitation can be seen as professing ones acceptance of the triple gems as the guides of ones life and thought.

Courtesy: buddhasociety