The Three Treasures “tri-ratna (三宝)” is an important concept in Buddhism. Buddhist refuges in buddha, dharma, and saṅgha are absolutely essential acts. But there are not many discussions about ratna in the Abhidharma. This is because, as in the meaning of “abhidharma,” the most preferred meaning in Sarvāstivāda doctrine is to explain the Truth “satya (諦)” based on dharma. In the gradualist theory that shows the steps to enlightenment, the stage of insight “darśana-mārga” from Pṛthagjana to Ārya is one of the most highly stressed points, and the most important training is seeing the Four Nobel Truths. There are thus few discussions about ratna.
But in the Mahāvibhāṣā, there are some fragmentary descriptions concerning ratna. On the darśanamārga stage, determining the satya is a “dṛṣṭi (見)” while determining ratna is classified as Faith “śraddhā (信).” Here I clarify when and how Faith can arise in Sarvāstivāda doctrine.
Firstly, the three refuges is simple karma, and they have nothing to do with the arising of Faith. Secondly, a small amount of Faith arises as the tipping point of the four wholesome roots stage that is an additional practice. Thirdly, immaculate Faith arises in ratna and śīla in the darśanamārga, and this is called the four actualizations of purity.
From the above, we can suppose another gradualist theory, one of Faith toward ratna separated from satya.
