Formal Requests

Contents

• Taking the Five Precepts
• Taking the Eight Precepts
• Ordination for an Eight-Precept Nun
• Requesting a Discourse
• Requesting Blessings
• Requesting Forgiveness

Taking the Five Precepts

THE REQUEST:
Maya"m bhante, ti-sara.nena saha pañca siilaani yaacaama.

Venerable Sir, we request the Three Refuges & the Five Precepts.

Dutiyampi maya"m bhante...

Venerable Sir, a second time...

Tatiyampi maya"m bhante...

Venerable Sir, a third time...

The monk then recites the following passage three times, after which the lay people repeat it three times:

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaa-sambuddhassa.

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 lay people reciting line by line after him.

Buddha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Dhamma"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Sa"ngha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

I go to the Sangha for refuge.

Dutiyampi buddha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Dutiyampi dhamma"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Dutiyampi sa"ngha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

Tatiyampi buddha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Tatiyampi dhamma"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Tatiyampi sa"ngha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

The monk then says:

Ti-sara.na-gamana"m ni.t.thita"m.

This ends the going for refuge.

AAma bhante.

Yes, Venerable Sir.

The monk then recites the precepts line by line, with the lay people reciting them line by line after him.

Paa.naatipaataa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from taking life.

Adinnaadaanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from stealing.

Kaamesu micchaacaaraa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from sexual misconduct.

Musaavaadaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from telling lies.

Suraa-meraya-majja-pamaada.t.thaanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from intoxicating liquors & drugs that lead to carelessness.

The monk then concludes with the following:

Imaani pañca sikkhaa-padaani:

These are the five training rules.

Siilena sugati"m yanti.

Through virtue they go to a good bourn.

Siilena bhoga-sampadaa.

Through virtue is wealth attained.

Siilena nibbuti"m yanti.

Through virtue they go to Liberation.

Tasmaa siila"m visodhaye.

Therefore we should purify our virtue.

Taking the Eight Precepts

THE REQUEST:
Maya"m bhante, ti-sara.nena saha a.t.tha siilaani yaacaama.

Venerable Sir, we request the Three Refuges & the Eight Precepts.

Dutiyampi maya"m bhante...

Venerable Sir, a second time...

Tatiyampi maya"m bhante...

Venerable Sir, a third time...

The monk then recites the following passage three times, after which the lay people repeat it three times:

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaa-sambuddhassa.

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 lay people reciting line by line after him.

Buddha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Dhamma"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Sa"ngha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

I go to the Sangha for refuge.

Dutiyampi buddha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Dutiyampi dhamma"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Dutiyampi sa"ngha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

Tatiyampi buddha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Tatiyampi dhamma"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Tatiyampi sa"ngha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

The monk then says:

Ti-sara.na-gamana"m ni.t.thita"m.

This ends the going for refuge.

AAma bhante.

Yes, Venerable Sir.

The monk then recites the precepts line by line, with the lay people reciting them line by line after him.

Paa.naatipaataa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from taking life.

Adinnaadaanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from stealing.

Abrahma-cariyaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from sexual intercourse.

Musaavaadaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from telling lies.

Suraa-meraya-majja-pamaada.t.thaanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from intoxicating liquors & drugs that lead to carelessness.

Vikaala-bhojanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from eating after noon & before dawn.

Nacca-giita-vaadita-visuuka-dassanaa maalaa-gandha-vilepana-dhaara.na-ma.n.dana-vibhuusana.t.thaanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from dancing, singing, music, watching shows, wearing garlands, beautifying myself with perfumes & cosmetics.

Uccaasayana-mahaasayanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from high & luxurious seats & beds.

Imaani a.t.tha sikkhaa-padaani samaadiyaami.

I undertake these eight precepts.

Imaani a.t.tha sikkhaa-padaani samaadiyaami.

I undertake these eight precepts.

Imaani a.t.tha sikkhaa-padaani samaadiyaami.

I undertake these eight precepts.

Ordination for an Eight-Precept Nun

Araha"m sammaa-sambuddho bhagavaa.

The Blessed One is Worthy & Rightly Self-awakened.

Buddha"m bhagavanta"m abhivaademi.

I bow down before the Awakened, Blessed One.

(BOW DOWN)

Svaakkhaato bhagavataa dhammo.

The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One.

Dhamma"m namassaami.

I pay homage to the Dhamma.

(BOW DOWN)

Supa.tipanno bhagavato saavaka-sa"ngho.

The Sangha of the Blessed One's disciples has practiced well.

Sa"ngha"m namaami.

I pay respect to the Sangha.

(BOW DOWN)

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaa-sambuddhassa. (Three times.)

Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Rightly Self-awakened One.

Esaaha"m bhante, sucira-parinibbutampi, ta"m
bhagavanta"m sara.na"m gacchaami, dhammañca
bhikkhu-sa"nghañca, pabbajja"m ma"m sa"ngho dhaaretu,
ajjatagge paanupeta"m sara.na"m gata"m.

Venerable sir, I take refuge in the Blessed One -- though he long ago attained Liberation -- together with the Dhamma & the Bhikkhu Sangha. May the Sangha regard me as one gone forth, having attained refuge from this day forward.

Aha"m bhante, ti-sara.nena saha a.t.tha siilaani yaacaami.

Venerable Sir, I request the Three Refuges & the Eight Precepts.

Dutiyampi aha"m bhante...

Venerable Sir, a second time...

Tatiyampi aha"m 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 sammaa-sambuddhassa.

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.

Buddha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Dhamma"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Sa"ngha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

I go to the Sangha for refuge.

Dutiyampi buddha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A second time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Dutiyampi dhamma"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A second time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Dutiyampi sa"ngha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

Tatiyampi buddha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A third time, I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Tatiyampi dhamma"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A third time, I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Tatiyampi sa"ngha"m sara.na"m gacchaami.

A third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

The monk then says:

Ti-sara.na-gamana"m ni.t.thita"m.

This ends the going for refuge.

AAma bhante.

Yes, Venerable Sir.

The monk then recites the precepts line by line, with the nun reciting them line by line after him.

Paa.naatipaataa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from taking life.

Adinnaadaanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from stealing.

Abrahma-cariyaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from sexual intercourse.

Musaavaadaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from telling lies.

Suraa-meraya-majja-pamaada.t.thaanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from intoxicating liquors & drugs that lead to carelessness.

Vikaala-bhojanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from eating after noon & before dawn.

Nacca-giita-vaadita-visuuka-dassanaa maalaa-gandha-vilepana-dhaara.na-ma.n.dana-vibhuusana.t.thaanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from dancing, singing, music, watching shows, wearing garlands, beautifying myself with perfumes & cosmetics.

Uccaasayana-mahaasayanaa verama.nii sikkhaa-pada"m samaadiyaami.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from high & luxurious seats & beds.

Imaani a.t.tha sikkhaa-padaani samaadiyaami.

I undertake these eight precepts.

Imaani a.t.tha sikkhaa-padaani samaadiyaami.

I undertake these eight precepts.

Imaani a.t.tha sikkhaa-padaani samaadiyaami.

I undertake these eight precepts.

Requesting a Discourse

Brahmaa ca lokaadhipatii sahampati
Kat'añjalii andhivara"m ayaacatha:
Santiidha sattaapparajakkha-jaatikaa
Desetu dhamma"m anukampima"m paja"m.

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 teach the Dhamma out of compassion for them.

Requesting Blessings

Vipatti-pa.tibaahaaya
    sabba-sampatti-siddhiyaa,
Sabba-dukkha-vinaasaaya
    paritta"m bruutha ma"ngala"m.
Vipatti-pa.tibaahaaya
    sabba-sampatti-siddhiyaa,
Sabba-bhaya-vinaasaaya
    paritta"m bruutha ma"ngala"m.
Vipatti-pa.tibaahaaya
    sabba-sampatti-siddhiyaa,
Sabba-roga-vinaasaaya
    paritta"m bruutha ma"ngala"m.

For warding off misfortune, for the achievement of all good fortune,
For the dispelling of all pain, may you chant a blessing & protection.
For warding off misfortune, for the achievement of all good fortune,
For the dispelling of all danger, may you chant a blessing & protection.
For warding off misfortune, for the achievement of all good fortune,
For the dispelling of all illness, may you chant a blessing & protection.

Requesting Forgiveness

(From the Triple Gem)

Ratanattaye pamaadena, dvaarattayena kata"m,
Sabba"m aparaadha"m khamatu no bhante.

May the Triple Gem forgive us for any wrong we have done out of carelessness in thought, word, or deed.

(From a Senior Monk)

[Mahaathere]* pamaadena, dvaarattayena kata"m,
Sabba"m aparaadha"m khamatu no bhante.
(Three times.)

Venerable Sir, may you forgive us for any wrong we have done you out of carelessness in thought, word, or deed.

[* Mahathere is used for very senior & highly respected monks. Change it to There for somewhat less senior monks, Upajjhaaye for one's preceptor, AAcariye for one's teacher, and AAyasmante for monks in general.]

Bow down & stay there while the monk says:

Aha"m khamaami, tumhehi pi me khamitabba"m.

I forgive you; may you all also forgive me.

Respond:

Khamaama bhante.

We forgive you, Venerable Sir.

The monk will then recite a blessing, after which all say:

Saadhu bhante.

Very good, Venerable Sir.

(BOW THREE TIMES)

(When one person is asking forgiveness)

[Mahaathere]* pamaadena, dvaarattayena kata"m,
Sabba"m aparaadha"m khamatha me bhante.
(Three times.)

Venerable Sir, may you forgive me for any wrong I have done you out of carelessness in thought, word, or deed.

[* Mahathere is used for very senior & highly respected monks. Change it to There for somewhat less senior monks, Upajjhaaye for one's preceptor, AAcariye for one's teacher, and AAyasmante for monks in general.]

Bow down & stay there while the monk says:

Aha"m khamaami, tayaa pi me khamitabba"m.

I forgive you; may you all also forgive me.

Respond:

Khamaami bhante.

I forgive you, Venerable Sir.

The monk will then recite a blessing, after which say:

Saadhu bhante.

Very good, Venerable Sir.

(BOW THREE TIMES)