Taking Refuge and The Five Precepts TEMPLE WHITE LOTUS, LLC. December 18, 2015 Authored by: Shihan Yin Shu Amatayus Sensei
Rite of Initiation into The Triple Gems and The Five Precepts (All are seated in the Temple, with the Initiate(s) in front of the Altar in a semi-circle. The Priest announces the reason and type of Rite to be performed, and all offerings placed upon a side altar table. The offerings are passed around so all can impart their blessings/aspirations/intentions, and then the priest formally offers them. All altar candles are lit, and incense is prepared). The Opening Bows (All, bow to the ground) A:/ Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammasambuddhassa (3x) D:/ or P:/ The Dharma is deep and lovely. We now have a chance to see it, study it, and practice it. We vow to realize its true meaning. Incense Offering (Priest opens the altar and intones the Offerince Gatha) P:/ In gratitude, we offer this incense to all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout all space and time. May it be as fragrant as the Earth herself, reflecting our careful efforts, our wholehearted concentration and understanding, slowly
ripening. May we and all beings be companions of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. May we awaken from forgetfulness and realize our true home. (Bell). The Assorting Offerings (Seven water bowls and red envelopes being the minimum, but may include fruit, flowers, or any other objects/intentions. These are passed around from the side altar, clockwise around the temple, for all to impute their intentions/blessings/aspirations onto them, finally being handing to the priest to formally offer). Offeratory Gatha P:/ (With each item being offered). Om Ah Hoong. P:/ The precious Buddha, the supreme lord; The precious holy Dharma, the supreme savior; the precious Sangha, the sublime and spiritual friend of all; to you most precious Gems of Three, the supreme objects of refuge, We humbly do thee give, and freely offer. (Bell, Bow, Bell). Dharma Message Concerning Refuge/Precepts (Given by the presiding Priest, Deacon, or other person so appointed).
Refuge in the Triple Gems (The priest intones the refuge, the initiate reponds, with a full bow to the ground). P:/ I take refuge in the Buddha, the one who shows me the way in this life. (Bell) A:/ I take refuge in the Buddha, the one who shows me the way in this life. (Bell, bow,bell) P:/ I take refuge in the Dharma, the way of understanding and of love. (Bell) A:/ I take refuge in the Dharma, the way of understanding and of love. (Bell, Bow, Bell) P:/ I take refuge in the Sangha, the school and community that lives in harmony and awareness. (Bell) A:/ I take refuge in the Sangha, the school and community that lives in harmony and awareness. (Bell, Bow, Bow). (The priest intones the refuges in Pali, with all present repeating it, 3 times, in honor of the original Sangha and Ancestral teachers, and the renewal of their own Refuge taking). P:/ Buddham Saranam Gacchami. A:/ Buddham Saranam Gacchami. (3x)
P:/ Dhammam Saranam Gacchami. A:/ Dhammam Saranam Gacchami. (3x) P:/ Sangham Saranam Gacchami. A:/ Sangham Saranam Gacchami. (3x) (Bell) The Five Precepts (The priest intones the Precepts, one by one, repeated by the initiate, who bows to the ground with each repetition) P:/ I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from killing all sentient beings. A:/ I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from killing all sentient beings. (Bell, Bow, Bell) P:/ I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from taking things not freely given. A:/ I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from taking things not freely given. (Bell, Bow, Bell) P:/ I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from sexual exploitation or misconduct.
A:/ I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from sexual exploitation or misconduct. (Bell, Bow, Bell) P:/ I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from false or malicious speech. A:/ I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from false or malicious speech. (Bell, Bow, Bell) P:/ I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from intoxicating drinks and substances which cause me to be unmindful and become heedless in body, speech, or mind. A:/ I undertake to observe the precept to abstain from intoxicating drinks and substances which cause me to be unmindful and become heedless in body, speech, or mind. (Bell, Bow, Bell) (The priest now repeats the 5 precepts in Pali, with each being repeated by all, in honor of Ancestoral Teachers and in renewal of their own vows) P:/ Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami. A:/ Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami. P:/ Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami. A:/ Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami. P:/ Kamesumiccacara varamani sikkhapadam samadiyami.
A:/ Kamesumiccacara varamani sikkhapadam samadiyami. P;/ Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami. A:/ Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami. P:/ Surameraya majjapamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami. A:/ Surameraya majjapamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami. Showing of Gratitude (Intoned by the Priest or Deacon, with a bell and simple bow from all present). P:/ Teaching and living the way of awareness in the very midst of suffering and confusion, Shakyamuni Buddha, the Awakened and World Honored One, to whom we bow in gratitude. (Bell, Bow, Bell). P:/ Cutting through ignorance, awakening our hearts and our minds, Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Great Understanding, to whom we bow in gratitude. (Bell, Bow, Bell). P:/ Working mindfully, working joyfully, for the sake of all beings, Samantabhadra, the Bodhisattva of great Action, to whom we bow in gratitude. (Bell, Bow, Bell).
P:/ Fearless and persevering through realms of suffering and great darkness, Kshitigharba, the Bodhisattva of Great Aspiration, to whom we bow in gratitude. (Bell, Bow, Bell). P:/ Responding to suffering, serving beings in countless ways, Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion, to whom we bow in gratitude. (Bell, Bow, Bell). P:/ Seed of awakening and loving kindness in all children, sprouts, and all beings, Maitreya, the Buddha yet to be born in our midst, to whom we bow in gratitude. (Bell, Bow, Bell) P:/ Showing the way fearlessly and compassionately, the stream of all our Ancestral Teachers, to whom we bow in gratitude. (Bell, Bow, Bell). The Imposition of Dharma Name and Abisekha Empowerment (The priest now assumes the bumpa of holy water, and pours a little water three times into the cupped hands of the initiate, who sips it, and then anoints their forehead, head, and back of the head with the remaining water.) (Putting back the bumpa upon the altar, the priest now faces each initiate and asks:) P:/ Having taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha, you have assumed a new Path; by which name shall you be called in this assembly?
(The initiate now gives their chosen or appointed Dharma name, and hands the priest a red envelope with their name written within it) P:/ In our community, you shall be known as. (The priest places the name envelope upon the altar). All are duly welcomed into the community The Closing Sutra Verse (All resume their places). (Recited by all). A:/ Reciting the vows, practicing the way of awareness, gives rise to benefits without limit. We vow to share the fruits with all beings. We vow to offer to parents, teachers, friends, and numerous beings who give guidance and support along the path. P:/ This Rite has ended. Go forth in peace, to love and serve all beings. P:/ Namo Buddhaya! A:/ Namo Buddhaya! P:/ Namo Dharmaya! A:/ Namo Dharmaya! P:/ Namo Sanghaya!
A:/ Namo Sanghaya! (Bell, Bow, Bell)