大乘義章 10.4

10.4

第一釋名。言三歸者，歸投依伏，故曰歸依。歸投之相，如子歸父。依伏之義，如民依王、如性依勇。歸依不同，隨境說三，所謂歸佛、歸法、歸僧。依佛為師，故曰歸佛。憑法為藥，故稱歸法。依僧為友，故名歸僧。問曰：何故偏歸此三？以此三種畢竟歸處，能令眾生出離生死稱涅槃故。名義如是。

First, explaining the name. As for the "three refuges," one turns to and relies upon them in submission; hence it is called "taking refuge." The manner of turning to them is like a child turning to its father. The meaning of relying upon them in submission is like subjects relying on a king, or like [timid] nature relying on the brave. Because taking refuge is diverse, three are explained according to the objects, namely: taking refuge in the Buddha, taking refuge in the Dharma, and taking refuge in the Saṅgha. Relying on the Buddha as teacher, it is therefore called taking refuge in the Buddha. Depending on the Dharma as medicine, it is therefore called taking refuge in the Dharma. Relying on the Saṅgha as friends, it is therefore called taking refuge in the Saṅgha. Question: Why take refuge exclusively in these three? Because these three are the ultimate place of refuge, capable of causing sentient beings to transcend birth and death and accord with nirvāṇa. Such are the name and its meaning.