According to the scriptures, Gautama Buddha presented himself as a model. The Dharma offers a refuge by providing guidelines for the alleviation of suffering and the attainment of Nirvana. The Sangha is considered to provide a refuge by preserving the authentic teachings of the Buddha and providing further examples that the truth of the Buddha's teachings is attainable.
Who presented himself as a model? What offers a refuge by providing guidelines for the alleviation of suffering? What provides refuge by preserving the authentic teachings of the Buddha?