My meaning of Buddha’s teachings.

When an alive Buddha or awakened person is available at any corner of the planet then in priority seek refuge in his/her company ie Buddham Sharnam Gachhami.

If the awakened person has left his body then seek refuge in Sangha or join group of his disciples he has left because they may not have got enlightened but they lived a long time with him so their vibrations may still be helpful to you ie Sangham Sharnam Gachhami.

If the generation of disciple that lived with the awakened master too is not available in Sangha (commune or Ashram) then prefer to follow your own heart, keep learning and practicing where you are living by following one’s religion and fulfilling social responsibility to one’s best with totality or dedicatedly ie Dhammaam Sharnam Gachhami.