TAKING THE THREE REFUGES ...
TIRATANA
The Triple Gems (Tiratana) consist
of the Buddha; the man who purified his mind and understood everything. the
Dhamma; the teaching of the Buddha. (It also means the law of nature) and the
Sangha; the community of Buddhist monks, who live and teach the Buddha's way of
life. When we take the Three Refuges, we bow down in the monastery or to the
monks, we are not just bending over to a nice statue or a man with a shaved
head, wearing robes. We think about the goodness of the Buddha, his teachings
and all the people who live and teach the Dhamma.
Bowing down to pay
Homage to the Buddha
We started with
BOWING DOWN properly. How do we do it? Slowly and carefully, we:
kneel on the floor, feet together, sitting on your heels.
hands together in front of your chest.
raise your hands up to your forehead.
lower your hands to the floor and slide them forward and touch your elbows.
lower your head and touch the floor, gently
raise your head, slide your hands back and lift them up to your chest. ( 3
Times )
We think about the Triple Gems
(Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha).
If you want to, on the first bow you can remember the great
qualities of the Buddha.
On the second bow you can think about theDhamma, and
the third time you can admire the Sangha.
Taking the three
Refuges
BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
DHAMMAN SARANAM GACCHAMI
SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
DUTIYAMPI BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
DUTIYAMPI DHAMMAN SARANAM GACCHAMI
DUTIYAMPI SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
TATIYAMPI BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI
TATIYAMPI DHAMMAN SARANAM GACCHAMI
TATIYAMPI SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAM
{ These are
translated as: }
For the first time, I take refuge in the Sangha
For the first time, I take refuge in the Buddha
For the first time, I take refuge in the Dhamma
For the second time, I take refuge in the Sangha
For the second time, I take refuge in the Buddha
For the second time, I take refuge in the Dhamma
For the third time, I take refuge in the Buddha
For the third time, I take refuge in the Dhamma
For the third time, I take refuge in the Sangha
THE FIVE PRECEPTS - PANCA SILA
The Buddha gave us Five Precepts
(rules) to follow which are; * no killing, (or harming any living beings) * no
stealing, (or taking anything that is not yours) * no sexual misbehaviour,
(respecting others) * no harmful speech, (like, abusing, telling lies,
swearing, gossiping, shouting) * no drugs or alcohol, (or anything that makes
you feel strange).
Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam
samadiyami =I take the precept to abstain from killing living
beings. (I will care for all living creatures)
Adinadana veramani sikkhapadam
samadiyami=I take the precept to abstain from taking what is not
mine. (I will share what I have)
Kamesu miccha cara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
=I take the precept to abstain from sexual misbehaviour. (I will
respect other people and myself)
Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
=I take the precept to abstain from harmful speech. (I will be
quiet, honest and careful)
Surameraya majja-pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam
samadiyami=I take the precept to abstain from taking alcohol and
drugs. (I will keep my mind pure and alert)
Monk: Appamadena sampadetta=(Be mindful, don't be lazy)
Precepters: Ama bhante=(Yes, Venerable Sir)
At the end we will finish with
some wishes and sharing of merits in Pali. Merits means, rewards from good
actions or deeds, such as listening to and practising Dhamma.
Idan me punnyan, asavak-kayavaham
hotu=by good deeds, may I be free from defilements.
Idan me silan, magga phala nyanassa paccayo
hotu=by precepts, may I have great wisdom.
Idan me punnyan, nibbanassa paccayo
hotu=by good deeds, may I attain to Nibbana.
Iman no punnya-bhagan , sabba
sattanan, dema=we share our merits with all beings.
Sabbe
satta sukhita hontu x 3 times=may all beings be happy and well.
Sadhu,
Sadhu, Sadhu=well done, well done, well done
Related article for further reading selected by the Course
Organizer:
How to Become a
Buddhist, by Anisakan
Sayadaw, 'The Light of the Buddha', 1958,
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