Explanation: Buddha explains that his teachings are just like a raft, which helps one to cross over the turbulent river of Life and Suffering. Once across, we do not need to cart the raft around with us.

• In other words, Buddha urges that one should not cling to anything, including his teachings.
• The teachings are only Upaya (skillful means or expedient tools) and are thus not dogma: “It is fingers pointing at the moon and one should not confuse the finger for the moon.”

 His teachings contain three important pillars:

• Buddha – Founder/ Teacher
• Dhamma – Teachings
• Sangha – Order of Buddhist monks/nuns (who act as torch bearers of Dhamma worshippers or Upasakas and are a major factor in the dissemination of the Buddha’s doctrine)

Source: Tamil Nadu NCERT