Taking the Eight Precepts
The Request:
Mayaṁ bhante, ti-saraṇena saha aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma.
Venerable Sir, we request the Three Refuges & the Eight Precepts.
Dutiyam-pi mayaṁ bhante…
Venerable Sir, a second time…
Tatiyam-pi mayaṁ bhante…
Venerable Sir, a third time…
The monk then recites the following passage three times, after which the lay people repeat it three times:
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato
sammā-sambuddhassa. (three times)
Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One,
the Rightly Self-awakened One.
The monk then recites the following passages line by line, with the lay people reciting line by line after him.
Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.
I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.
I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.
I go to the Saṅgha for refuge.
Dutiyam-pi buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.
A second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Dutiyam-pi dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.
A second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Dutiyam-pi saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.
A second time, I go to the Saṅgha for refuge.
Tatiyam-pi buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.
A third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.
Tatiyam-pi dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.
A third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.
Tatiyam-pi saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.
A third time, I go to the Saṅgha for refuge.
The monk then says:
Ti-saraṇa-gamanaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.
This ends the going for refuge.
The lay people respond:
Āma bhante.
Yes, Venerable Sir.
The monk then recites the precepts line by line, with the lay people reciting them line by line after him.
Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the training rule to refrain from taking life.
Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the training rule to refrain from stealing.
Abrahma-cariyā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the training rule to refrain from sexual intercourse.
Musāvādā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the training rule to refrain from telling lies.
Surā-meraya-majja-pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the training rule to refrain from intoxicating liquors & drugs that lead to heedlessness.
Vikāla-bhojanā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the training rule to refrain from eating after noon & before dawn.
Nacca-gīta-vādita-visūka-dassanā mālā-gandha-vilepana-dhāraṇa-maṇḍana-vibhūsanaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the training rule to refrain from dancing, singing, music, watching shows, wearing garlands, beautifying myself with perfumes & cosmetics.
Uccāsayana-mahāsayanā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the training rule to refrain from high & luxurious seats & beds.
Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā-padāni samādiyāmi.
I undertake these eight precepts.
Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā-padāni samādiyāmi.
I undertake these eight precepts.
Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā-padāni samādiyāmi.
I undertake these eight precepts.
(Bow three times)