Taking a safe direction in life (refuge) is presented as the foundation of Buddhist practice and the gateway to all spiritual development. People who lack a meaningful direction often become trapped in despair, distraction or destructive behavior, whereas safe direction indicated by the Three Rare and Supreme Gems gives life stability and purpose. Genuine safe direction is based on recognizing the dangers of suffering and uncontrollably recurring samsaric rebirth, while also developing confidence that the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha can provide reliable guidance beyond them. Taking safe direction is not a passive dependence on an external power, as the word “refuge” might imply, but an active transformation of our outlook and conduct. The qualities of the Buddha are presented in the teachings in great detail, emphasizing omniscient awareness, limitless compassion, fearlessness and skillful means in helping all beings without discrimination. The Dharma is the actual path of true stoppings and pathway minds that eliminate obscurations and lead to liberation and enlightenment. The Sangha consists of those aryas who have directly realized reality and who progress through stages of spiritual attainment by cultivating the 37 factors leading to a purified state. Furthermore, taking a safe direction in life is a basis for overcoming fear, cultivating bodhichitta and attaining enlightenment for the benefit of all beings.