Buddhist Fact of the Week #1

The first lesson in all Sunday schools around the world introduces children to the Triple Gem (also known as "Three Jewels", "Three Treasures" or "Three Refuges")

A brief explanation of the Triple Gem

The triple gem consists of Buddha, Dhamma (Dharma), and Sangha.
It is the central focus of inspiration and devotion for Buddhists.

Buddha means 'Enlightened One' or 'Awakened One,' and is generally used to refer to the founder of Buddhism. There have been other Buddhas before him, however, and will be other Buddhas in the future. 

The word Dhamma (in Sanskrit, Dharma) is often used to refer to the Buddha's teachings, but it also means the eternal Truth which the teachings convey to us. Dhamma is threefold: the Dhamma that we study, that which we practice, and the Dhamma of Realization.

 Sangha literally means 'community' or 'assembly.' The word has two meanings in proper Buddhist usage: the community of disciples (whether ordained or not) who have gained Realization of any of the stages of Awakening; and the community of ordained disciples--bhikkhus (monks) and bhikkhunis (nuns)

.Source: http://mettajon.tripod.com/