One could make the argument that the Triforce in Legend of Zelda is a metaphor for “The Three Jewels” in Buddhism. The Triforce is a sacred relic left behind by a trio of deities know as “The Golden Goddesses“. It has the power to grant a wish, and therefore fulfillment, to any who obtain it. Sound familiar? Throw on a green tunic or set of Kāṣāya, grab your prayer bell or Master Sword, and join us on a journey into Legend of Zelda lore and Buddhist teachings to find the similarities between the Triforce and The Three Jewels.
The Three Jewels and the Triforce: Sacred Triads Across Worlds
The Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. Power, Wisdom and Courage. These are the building blocks of The Three Jewels and the Triforce. Before we dive into the similarities between the two it’s important to define a baseline understanding of what each triad is.
The Three Jewels
Sometimes also referred to as the “triple gems” or “Triratna”. The Three Jewels are one of the oldest ways of expressing faith in Buddhism. The first students of Shakyamuni Buddha proclaimed their intention to follow his teachings by orally reciting:
I take refuge in the Buddha.
I take refuge in the dharma.
I take refuge in the sangha.
In short, “taking refuge” simply means committing yourself to the Three Jewels. Taking refuge in the Buddha expresses a practitioners faith that some level of Buddhahood or awakening is attainable. It is not a commitment to the historic Shakyamuni Buddha, but all Buddhas throughout history. Taking refuge in the Dharma means taking refuge in Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings, and to the teachings of his disciples. Committing to taking refuge in the Sangha means putting faith in the entire community of people, both lay and ordained, who study and practice Buddhism together. It’s important to note that Buddhists don’t believe these to be external factors. In reality, the Three Jewels are internal factors that lead a practitioner to the freedom that already resides within them.
The Triforce
The Triforce consists of three separate triangles which, when assembled, create a larger triangle. The Triforce of Power is always depicted as the top piece. The Triforce of Wisdom is represented by the lower-left piece. While the Triforce of Courage is represented by the lower-right piece. The Triforce is the balance of the three powers: Power, Wisdom and Courage. Only someone with a balance of all three powers in their heart can wield the Triforce. When fully configured the artifact grants the wielder one wish. It is considered the ultimate source of power in the Legend of Zelda franchise.
Sangha & The Triforce of Courage: The Support Needed to Walk the Path
Community and courage go hand in hand, whether on the path to Nirvana or saving Hyrule. In Buddhism the Sangha originally denoted Shakyamuni Buddha’s first disciples and the monastic community. Over time the definition expanded to mean all followers of Buddhist precepts, monastics and laypeople alike. In the Legend of Zelda the Triforce of Courage is unknowingly held by Link since birth. It is regarded as the proof of his destiny as a hero. Much like the Sangha and other aspects of the Three Jewels the Triforce of Courage isn’t an external factor, it’s internal. It’s a deep internal reality of Link’s being. The Triforce of Courage is part of him. It’s what gives him the power to push through all hardships and realize his truth: that he is a hero.
The Triforce of Wisdom and the Sangha share many similarities. They are an internal element. They are not separate from the “self”. They are what give an individual support to reach their true nature. In Buddhism, it is believed that practitioners are less likely to stray from the path if they have a support system. It is important to unify your commitment to the Nobel Eightfold path and the Four Nobel Truths. By committing to the Sangha you recognize this same commitment not only in yourself but also in others. Recognizing that other’s share this commitment strengthens your own belief. When that belief is strong you’re more likely to overcome obstacles on your path, whether that’s an evil-doer like Gannon in the Kingdom of Hyrule or the Three Poisons in our realm.
Dharma & The Triforce of Wisdom: The Teachings That Guide the Journey
The Triforce of Wisdom is the embodiment of Goddess of Wisdom, Nayru. It imparts divine wisdom upon its holder, including the ability to heal others. In the Legend of Zelda, Princess Zelda shatters this Triforce into eight pieces to protect it from Ganon. Link must reassemble the Triforce to enter Death Mountain for his final battle. This might be the most obvious metaphor between the Three Jewels and Buddhist teachings. Buddhist practitioners must join themselves with Shakyamuni Buddha’s Dharma to attain enlightenment in a very similar fashion that Link needed to unite the Triforce to enter Death Mountain.
In Buddhism the Dharma is both the path and goal. The dharma has three simultaneous levels of meaning: the words or teachings of the Buddha, the practice of the teachings, and the attainment of enlightenment. It is the Eightfold Path and Four Noble Truths. Link’s journey to defeat Ganon atop Death Mountain is one in the same. Simply wielding the Triforce of Wisdom wasn’t enough for Link to save Hyrule. The journey was every bit as important as the end goal. In order to unite the Triforce Link had to travel far and wide across the kingdom. He had to slay countless foes and help countless townspeople. On his path he filled his experience bar to level up, accrue various weapons and armor, and master new attacks he would inevitably use against his foe.
The path of the Bodhisatta and the path of our Hero of Hyrule are strikingly similar. While practicing the Dharma a practitioner becomes enlightened and reaches Nirvana. Non-buddhists believe Nirvana is the end goal. Wise Monks will tell you that the end goal of Nirvana and the path to Nirvana are one in the same. Practicing the Dharma is enlightenment. While on his journey to defeat Ganon Link gains the skills, abilities and items needed to defeat him while searching for the Triforce. By the time Link reaches Death Mountain he is already the hero Hyrule needs. By traversing the path to Death Mountain link defeats Ganon before the battle even begins by becoming a complete hero, much like how a Bodhisatta becomes enlightened before reaching the point of satori.
Buddha & The Triforce of Power: The Strength of Enlightenment
The Triforce of Power embodies the essence of the Goddess of Power, Din, the creator of Hyrule. Whoever holds the Triforce of Power gains “true power.” This power is absolute, making the recipient of Din’s blessing a god-like entity. It bestows upon its wielder near-invulnerability, unparalleled strength and an unlimited source of mystical power. It’s widely considered the most dangerous of the three separate pieces.
In Buddhism, Shakyamuni Buddha is not a God or a deity. When you take refuge in The Buddha you are not taking refuge in Shakyamuni Buddha. You are taking refuge in all the Buddhas, past and present, that have attained enlightenment. In contrast to the Kingdom of Hyrule, taking refuge in The Buddha does not grant you the “powers” of the Buddha. It simply means you recognize that Buddhas have achieved enlightenment. The Buddha had no special powers. His teachings explain that he wasn’t a special entity. He makes it very clear that all beings are capable of enlightenment.
In “A Link to the Past” Link is able to defeat Ganon while Ganon is in possession of the Triforce of Power. Despite being bestowed with absolute power Link is able to overcome the challenge with cunning, perseverance and skill. The final boss battle demonstrates that true power doesn’t come from an external place, but instead comes from within. True power comes from mastery over oneself, not an external force. Despite not being in possession of the Triforce Link is able to look within, to his own skills and abilities and defeat this supposed “Ultimate Power”. This battle demonstrates that, much like in Buddhism, ultimate power or wisdom isn’t a tangible object or attribute of a specific person. It is a quality and practice that is available to anyone with the dedication and perseverance necessary to follow the path. Link is able to overcome this ultimate power not through some external item, but by looking within to abilities he has always possessed. He hones and masters these innate abilities through practice to reach his true potential.
Endgame: Leveling Up Yourself and Your Characters to Enlightenment
The Dharma is all around us. In the physical, spiritual and virtual worlds. Much like Link on a quest to defeat Ganon, we’re all on a quest for the end of suffering and to find peace. The path doesn’t have to be classic sitting meditation and chanting. We can find the Dharma in movies, music and even video games. Wherever you are, whether it be home, work, or scaling Death Mountain remember to focus on the core concepts of Buddhism. The Buddha, The Dharma and The Sanga are the three Jewels of Buddhism that can support you on a path to enlightenment regardless of which realm you reside in. Much like leveling up a character in a video game our path to enlightenment is a slow, steady process where the journey is every bit as important and the end goal.