Buddhist: Buddhist Vows

Buddhist Vows

Any Lay Buddhist simply joins the Three Refuges and undertakes the

Five Precepts like this: Newly bathed, shaved, white-clothed, with clean

bare feet, one kneels at a shrine with a Buddha-statue, and bows first

three times, so that feet, hands, elbows, knees & head touch the floor.

Then, with joined palms at the heart, one recites these memorized lines

in a loud, calm & steady voice:

As long as this life lasts:

I hereby take refuge in the Buddha.

I hereby take refuge in the Dhamma (Buddha’s teachings).

I hereby take refuge in the Sangha (Buddha’s disciple monks).

I hereby seek shelter in the Buddha for the 2nd time.

I hereby seek shelter in the Dhamma for the 2nd time.

I hereby seek shelter in the Sangha for the 2nd time.

I hereby request protection from the Buddha for the 3rd time.

I hereby request protection from the Dhamma for the 3rd time.

I hereby request protection from the Sangha for the 3rd time.

And also;

I will hereby respect these Three Jewels the rest of my life!

I accept to respect & undertake these 5 training rules:

I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Killing.

I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Stealing.

I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Sexual Abuse.

I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Dishonesty.

I hereby accept the training rule of avoiding all Alcohol & Drugs.

As long as this life lasts, I am thus protected by these 5 precepts…

(Courtesy of Bhikkhu Samahita, Ceylon)