Ordination for an Eight-Precept Nun
Arahaṁ sammā-sambuddho bhagavā.
The Blessed One is Worthy & Rightly Self-awakened.
Buddhaṁ bhagavantaṁ abhivādemi.
I bow down before the Awakened, Blessed One.
(Bow down)
Svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo.
The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One.
Dhammaṁ namassāmi.
I pay homage to the Dhamma.
(Bow down)
Supaṭipanno bhagavato sāvaka-saṅgho.
The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples has practiced well.
Saṅghaṁ namāmi.
I pay respect to the Saṅgha.
(Bow down)
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato
sammā-sambuddhassa. (three times)
Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One,
the Rightly Self-awakened One.
Esāhaṁ bhante, sucira-parinibbutam-pi, taṁ bhagavantaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi, dhammañ-ca bhikkhu-saṅghañ-ca. Pabbajjaṁ maṁ saṅgho dhāretu, ajjatagge pānupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gataṁ.
Venerable sir, I take refuge in the Blessed One—even though he long ago was totally unbound—together with the Dhamma & the Bhikkhu Saṅgha. May the Saṅgha regard me as one gone forth, having attained refuge from this day forward.
Ahaṁ bhante, ti-saraṇena saha aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma.
Venerable Sir, I 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 nun repeats 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 nun 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 nun responds:
Āma bhante.
Yes, Venerable Sir.
The monk then recites the precepts line by line, with the nun 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 aṭṭhasikkhā-padāni samādiyāmi.
I undertake these eight precepts.
Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā-padāni samādiyāmi.
I undertake these eight precepts.
(Bow three times)
