Leader: Yam ahaṃ vadāmi taṃ vadetha.

Community: Āma Bhante*

Leader: Namo tassa Bhagavato arahato sammā‧sambuddhassa.

Community: Namo tassa Bhagavato arahato sammā‧sambuddhassa.

Namo tassa Bhagavato arahato sammā‧sambuddhassa.

Namo tassa Bhagavato arahato sammā‧sambuddhassa.

Leader, followed by Community:

Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Dutiyam pi Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Dutiyam pi Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Dutiyam pi Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Tatiyam pi Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Tatiyam pi Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Tatiyam pi Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.4

Leader: Tisaraṇa‧gamanaṃ niṭṭhitaṃ.

Community: Āma Bhante*

* Chant Bhante for a Bhikkhu, Ayye from a Bhikkhuni, Mitte (friend) for a layperson.

Five/Eight Precepts

Leader, then repeated by Community:

1. Pāṇātipātā ‧ veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the precept of not killing.

2. Adinnādānā ‧ veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the precept of not stealing.

(Five Precepts) 3. Kāmesu micchācārā veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the precept of refraining from sexual misconduct.

(Eight Precepts) 3. Abrahmacariyā ‧ veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the precept of not engaging in sexual activity.

4. Musā vādā ‧ veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the precept of not lying.

5. Surā ‧ meraya ‧ majja ‧ pamādaṭṭhānā ‧ veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the precept of not using intoxicants or drugs that are the cause of heedlessness.

(Eight Precepts) 6. Vikāla bhojanā ‧ veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at wrong times.

7. Nacca ‧ gīta ‧ vādita ‧ visūka dassana ‧ mālā ‧ gandha ‧ vilepana‧

dhāraṇa ‧ maṇḍana ‧ vibhūsanaṭṭhānā ‧ veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the precept to refrain from entertainment, beautification, and adornment.

8. Uccā sayana ‧ mahā sayanā ‧ veramaṇī‧sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the precept to not use high or luxurious furniture.

Leader: Sīlena sugatiṃ yanti,

Sīlena bhoga‧sampadā,

Sīlena nibbutiṃ yanti,

Tasmā sīlaṃ visodhaye.

Community: Sādhu! Sādhu! Sādhu!

Sīla is the way to a good life,

Sīla is the source of true wealth,

Sīla leads to true peace,

Therefore, let Sīla be pure!

Response:  Well said!  Well said!  Well said!

Requesting a Dhamma Talk

(After bowing three times, with hands joined in añjali, recite the following:)

Brahmā ca lokādhipati Sahampati

Katañjali andhivaraṃ ayācatha

Santīdha sattāpparajakkha-jātikā

Desetu dhammaṃ anukampimaṃ pajaṃ

The Brahma Sahampati, Lord of the World,

With hands palm to palm before his heart, requested a blessing:

“There are beings here with only a little dust in their eyes.

Please, out of compassion, teach the dhamma.”