In the Samyutta Nikaya( Dhajagga Sutta SN 11.3) there is a short sutta that really calls to me,being a medieval fantasy nerd. This is the Crest of the Standard. In this Sutta the Buddha tells of the battles between the Devas and Asuras, two races of dieities that are always fighting, like the gods and titans, or the Empire and the Rebellion, or G.I Joe and Cobra, take your pick.



During these Battles, Sakka, Lord of the Devas, told his soldiers that if you are in battle and grow fearful, look to my standard(banner) and you will be bolstered:



Then Sakka, lord of the devas, addressed the Tāvatiṃsa devas thus: ‘Dear sirs, when the devas are engaged in battle, [219] if fear or trepidation or terror should arise, on that occasion you should look up at the crest of my standard. For when you look up at the crest of my standard, whatever fear or trepidation or terror you may have will be abandoned.



Brings to my mind big fantasy battles akin to Lord of the Rings and excitement arises in my mind, but it gets even better. The buddha says that when those devas look apon the standard, their fear may or may not be abandoned:



“Bhikkhus, for those who look up at the crest of the standard of Sakka, lord of the devas, whatever fear or trepidation or terror they may have may or may not be abandoned. For what reason? Because Sakka, lord of the devas, is not devoid of lust, not devoid of hatred, not devoid of delusion;



I.E Sakka may be lord of the gods, but he is still a being like all of us with attachment, aversion, and ignorance, still subject to death and rebirth. The Buddha then proclaims the Crest of the Standard, the Banner, for those who practice the dhamma-vinaya!:



“But, bhikkhus , I say this: If you have gone to a forest or to the foot of a tree or to an empty hut, and fear or trepidation or terror should arise in you, on that occasion you should recollect me thus: ‘The Blessed One is an arahant, perfectly enlightened, accomplished in true knowledge and conduct, fortunate, knower of the world, unsurpassed leader of persons to be tamed, teacher of devas and humans, the Enlightened One, the Blessed One.’ For when you recollect me, bhikkhus, whatever fear or trepidation or terror you may have will be abandoned. [220]



“If you cannot recollect me, then you should recollect the Dhamma thus: ‘The Dhamma is well expounded by the Blessed One, directly visible, immediate, inviting one to come and see, applicable, to be personally experienced by the wise.’ For when you recollect the Dhamma, bhikkhus, whatever fear or trepidation or terror you may have will be abandoned.



“If you cannot recollect the Dhamma, then you should recollect the Saṅgha thus: ‘The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practising the good way, practising the straight way, practising the true way, practising the proper way ; that is, the four pairs of persons, the eight types of individuals— this Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation, the unsurpassed field of merit for the world.’ For when you recollect the Saṅgha, bhikkhus, whatever fear or trepidation or terror you may have will be abandoned.



“For what reason? Because, bhikkhus, the Tathāgata, the Arahant, the Perfectly Enlightened One is devoid of lust, devoid of hatred, devoid of delusion; he is brave, courageous, bold, ready to stand his place.”



This Banner proclaimed by the Buddha, is actually what is chanted daily across all of Theravada Buddhism, including every morning and evening here at Bhavana. I’d been chanting it for years not even knowing what it was! For those who have practiced to the point where you gain trust in the Buddha, the teaching, and those who have successfully practiced the teaching, then recollecting their good qualities serves as an ideal to strive for and as a refuge in tough times.



You don’t have to be in the middle of the dark woods and scared, to look up to the Crest of the Standard ( although I can tell you from personal experience it works well!), looking up to the Banner of the Triple Gem can help you through any tough experience in life, anytime you are dealing with dukkha, that which is difficult to bear, you can know that there is a refuge that’s got your back, the triple gem that has acted as a beacon for those seeking shelter in the storm for almost 3000 years. This refuge is not for those who wish to hide from the truth and shroud themselves in ignorance however, it only gives us the truth that sets us free, if we are ready for it and have enough diligence and determination to follow the path.