You may take Refuge and take the Five Buddhist Precepts anytime right here from this page. Even if you have taken them before you can reaffirm them by going to a private place and chanting along (click play on the audio below). Going for Refuge and taking the Precepts define a person as a practising Buddhist.
Going for Refuge gives a continuous perspective on life by referring to one’s conduct and understanding of the qualities of the Buddha (wisdom), Dhamma (truth) and Sangha (virtue). The Precepts are for reflection and to define one’s actions as a responsible human being. There is a formal means of requesting Refuge and Precepts from a bhikkhu/bhikkhuni, which is as follows:
If you would prefer to download the five precepts as an MP3, click or press on this link.
After bowing three times, with hands joined in Anjali, recite the following:
| Mayam Bhante/Aye, tisaranena saha panca siilaani yaacaama Dutiyampi mayam Bhante/Aye, tisaranena saha panca siilaani yaacaama Tatiyampi mayam Bhante/Aye, tisaranena saha panca siilaani yaacaama |
We, Venerable Sir/Madam, request the three Refuges and the Five Precepts. For the second time, we, Venerable Sir/Madam, request the three Refuges and the Five Precepts. For the third time, we, Venerable Sir/Madam, request the three Refuges and the Five Precepts. |
| Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaasambuddhassa Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaasambuddhassa Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaasambuddhassa Buddham saranam gacchaami Dhammam saranam gacchaami Sangham saranam gacchaami Dutiyampi buddham saranam gacchaami Dutiyampi dhammam saranam gacchaami Dutiyampi sangham saranam gacchaami Tatiyampi buddham saranam gacchaami Tatiyampi dhammam saranam gacchaami Tatiyampi sangha”m saranam gacchaami Leader: Tisaranagamanam nitthitam Response: — Ama Bhante/Aye |
Homage to the Blessed One, the Noble One, the Perfectly Enlightened One. Homage to the Blessed One, the Noble One, the Perfectly Enlightened One. Homage to the Blessed One, the Noble One, the Perfectly Enlightened One. To the Buddha I go for refuge. To the Dhamma I go for refuge. To the Sangha I go for refuge. For the second time, to the Buddha I go for refuge. For the second time, to the Dhamma I go for refuge. For the second time, to the Sangha I go for refuge. For the third time, to the Buddha I go for refuge. For the third time, to the Dhamma I go for refuge. For the third time, to the Sangha I go for refuge. Leader: This completes the going to the Three Refuges. Response: — Yes, Venerable Sir/Madam. |
To undertake the precepts, repeat each precept after the leader:
| 1. Paanaatipaataa veramanii sikkhaapadam samaadiyaami 2. Adinnaadaanaa veramanii sikkhaapadam samaadiyaami 3. Kaamesu micchaacaaraa veramanii sikkhaapadam samaadiyaami 4. Musaavaadaa veramanii sikkhaapadam samaadiyaami 5. Suraamerayamajjapamaadatthaanaa veramanii sikkhaapadam samaadiyaami Leader: Imaani pañcasikkhaapadaani Siilena sugatim yanti Siilena bhoga-sampadaa Siilena nibbutm yanti Tasmaa siilam visodhaye Response: — Saadhu, saadhu, saadhu -(bow three times)- |
1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures. 2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given. 3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct. 4. I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech. 5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating liquors and drugs which lead to carelessness. Leader: These Five Precepts Have morality as a vehicle for happiness, Have morality as a vehicle for good fortune, Have morality as a vehicle for liberation. Let morality therefore be purified. Response: — Well said, well said, well said! -(bow three times)- |