Other Procedures

Contents

Nissaya (Dependence)

Taking dependence happens either individually or with the whole community before the Rains Retreat and Winter Retreat. It is frequently preceded by Asking for Forgiveness, see Asking for Forgiveness for preparation.

The bhikkhu:

‘Ācariyo me bhante hohi,
āyasmato nissāya vacchāmi.’ (×3)

(Ven. sir, may you be my teacher. I shall stay dependent on the ven. one.)

The Ācariya:

‘Sādhu, lahu, opāyikaṁ, paṭirūpaṁ,
pāsādikena sampādehi.’

(It is good; …convenient; …suitable; …proper; … you should endeavour to conduct yourself in a good manner.)

Vin.I.60–61

The bhikkhu:

‘Sādhu bhante. Ajja-t-agge-dāni thero mayhaṁ bhāro, aham-pi therassa bhāro.’ (×3)

(It is good, ven. sir. From this day onwards the Elder will be my burden and I shall be the burden of the Elder.)

Sp.V.977

At the end, bow three times and sit with feet folded on one side. The senior monk may offer advice and encouragement in the practice.

Kappiya-karaṇa (Making Fruit Allowable)

For fruit with seeds or vegetables that can grow again, the bhikkhu says:

‘Kappiyaṁ karohi’ ‘Make it allowable.’

The lay person, while ‘marking’ (cutting, tearing or burning) the fruit, etc., responds:

‘Kappiyaṁ bhante.’ ‘It is allowable, ven. sir.’

Sp.IV.767-768

Entering Town after Midday

Leave can be taken in one’s own language, or in Pali:

‘Vikāle gāmappavesanaṁ āpucchāmi.’
(I take leave to go to the town at the ‘wrong time’.)

Kv.140

Saṅghadāna-apalokana (Sharing Saṅghadāna)

After saṅghadāna is offered, a bhikkhu, other than the senior Thera, recites:

‘Yagghe bhante saṅgho jānātu.
Ayaṁ paṭhama-bhāgo therassa pāpuṇāti.
Avasesā bhāgā amhākañc’eva pāpuṇanti.
Bhikkhūnañca sīladharānaṁ sāmaṇerānaṁ gahaṭṭhānaṁ
Te yathāsukhaṁ paribhuñjantu.’

‘therassa’ → ‘mahātherassa’

‘May the Saṅgha hear me. The first portion (of this offering) goes to the Elder. The remainder is for the rest of us here: for the bhikkhus, sīladharās, sāmaṇeras and lay people. May they partake of it as they please.’

The Sangha responds: ‘Sādhu.’

Sp.VII.1405-1409

Paṁsukūla-cīvara (Taking Rag-cloth)

‘Imaṁ paṁsukūla-cīvaraṁ assāmikaṁ mayhaṁ pāpuṇāti.’
‘This rag-cloth, which is ownerless, has reached me.’

Desanā

Requesting permission to speak on Vinaya

After bowing three times, with hands joined in añjali, addressing the senior elder:

‘Okāsaṁ me bhante thero detu vinaya-kathaṁ kathetuṁ.’

‘Namo… (×3); Buddhaṁ Dhammaṁ Saṅghaṁ namassāmi.’

‘Vinayo sāsanassa āyū’ti. Karotu me āyasmā okāsaṁ ahan-taṁ vattukāmo.’

‘Ven. sir, please give permission to speak on Vinaya… Vinaya is the life of the religion. I ask for permission from the ven. one: I wish to speak about the Vinaya.’

Reply: ‘Karomi āyasmato okāsaṁ.’

‘I give you the opportunity, venerable.’

Vin.I.113

Requesting permission to speak on Dhamma

After bowing three times, with hands joined in añjali, addressing the senior bhikkhu:

‘Okāsaṁ me bhante thero detu dhamma-kathaṁ kathetuṁ.’

‘Ven. sir, please give permission to speak on Dhamma.’

‘Namo… (×3); Buddhaṁ Dhammaṁ Saṅghaṁ namassāmi.’

One may recite a sutta quote before beginning the talk, such as:

‘Apārutā tesaṁ amatassa dvārā ye sotavantā pamuñcantu saddhaṁ.’

‘Open are the doors to the Deathless. May all those who have ears release their faith.’

‘Ito paraṁ sakkaccaṁ dhammo sotabbo’ti.’

‘After this you should attentively listen to the Dhamma.’

Añjali

Chanting and making formal requests is done with the hands in añjali. This is a gesture of respect, made by placing the palms together directly in front of the chest, with the fingers aligned and pointing upwards.

Requesting a Dhamma Talk

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

Brahmā ca lokādhipatī sahampati
Katañjalī anadhivaraṁ ayācatha

Santīdha sattāpparajakkha-jātikā
Desetu dhammaṁ anukampimaṁ pajaṁ

(Bow three times again)

The Brahmā god Sahampati, Lord of the world,
With palms joined in reverence, requested a favour:

‘Beings are here with but little dust in their eyes,
Pray, teach the Dhamma out of compassion for them.’

Buddhavaṁsa 1

Acknowledging the Teaching

After the talk, the person next in seniority after the speaker, chants:

‘Handa mayaṁ dhamma-kathāya / ovāda-kathāya sādhukāraṁ dadāmase.’

Now let us express our approval of this Dhamma teaching / exhortation.

If an exhortation, use ovāda-kathāya instead of dhamma-kathāya.

The listeners, together:

‘Sādhu, sādhu, sādhu. Anumodāmi.’
It is well, I appreciate it.

After the talk on Vinaya or Dhamma

When the talk is concluded, the speaker chants:

‘Ayaṁ dhamma- / vinaya- / dhammavinaya-kathā sādh’āyasmantehi saṁrakkhetabbā’ti.’

‘This talk on Dhamma / Vinaya / Dhammavinaya should be well-preserved by you, ven. sirs.’

The person next in seniority after the speaker:

‘Handa mayaṁ dhamma- / vinaya- / dhammavinaya-kathāya sādhukāraṁ dadāmase.’

‘Now let us make the act of acknowledging this Dhamma / Vinaya / Dhammavinaya talk.’

The listeners, together:

‘Sādhu, sādhu, sādhu. Anumodāmi.’

Requesting the Three Refuges & the Five Precepts (Thai Tradition)

After bowing three times, with hands joined in añjali, recite the appropriate request.

For a group from a monk

Mayaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāma
Dutiyampi mayaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāma
Tatiyampi mayaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāma

For oneself from a monk

Ahaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāmi
Dutiyampi ahaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāmi
Tatiyampi ahaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāmi

For a group from a nun

Mayaṁ ayye tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāma
Dutiyampi mayaṁ ayye tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāma
Tatiyampi mayaṁ ayye tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāma

For oneself from a nun

Ahaṁ ayye tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāmi
Dutiyampi ahaṁ ayye tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāmi
Tatiyampi ahaṁ ayye tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāmi

We/I, Venerable Sir/Sister,
request the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts.

For the second time,
we/I, Venerable Sir/Sister,
request the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts.

For the third time,
we/I, Venerable Sir/Sister,
request the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts.

Repeat, after the leader has chanted ‘Namo tassa’ three times.

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa (×3)

Homage to the Blessed, Noble, and Perfectly Enlightened One.

Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

To the Buddha I go for refuge.
To the Dhamma I go for refuge.
To the Saṅgha I go for refuge.

Dutiyampi buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

For the second time…

Tatiyampi buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

For the third time…

Leader:

[Tisaraṇa-gamanaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ]

This completes the going to the Three Refuges.

Response:

Āma bhante / Āma ayye

Yes, Venerable Sir / Sister.

Repeat each precept after the leader.

(1) Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from taking the life of any living creature.

(2) Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.

(3) Kāmesu micchācārā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.

(4) Musāvādā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from lying.

(5) Surāmeraya-majja-pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from consuming intoxicating drink and drugs which lead to carelessness.

Leader:

[Imāni pañca sikkhāpadāni
Sīlena sugatiṁ yanti
Sīlena bhogasampadā
Sīlena nibbutiṁ yanti
Tasmā sīlaṁ visodhaye]

These are the Five Precepts;
virtue is the source of happiness,
virtue is the source of true wealth,
virtue is the source of peacefulness –
Therefore let virtue be purified.

Response:

Sādhu, sādhu, sādhu.

(Bow three times)

Requesting the Three Refuges & the Eight Precepts (Thai Tradition)

After bowing three times, with hands joined in añjali,
recite the appropriate request.

For a group from a monk

Mayaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma
Dutiyampi mayaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma
Tatiyampi mayaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma

For oneself from a monk

Ahaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāmi
Dutiyampi ahaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāmi
Tatiyampi ahaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāmi

For a group from a nun

Mayaṁ ayye tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma
Dutiyampi mayaṁ ayye tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma
Tatiyampi mayaṁ ayye tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma

For oneself from a nun

Ahaṁ ayye tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāmi
Dutiyampi ahaṁ ayye tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāmi
Tatiyampi ahaṁ ayye tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāmi

We/I, Venerable Sir/Sister,
request the Three Refuges and the Eight Precepts.

For the second time,
We/I, Venerable Sir/Sister,
request the Three Refuges and the Eight Precepts.

For the third time,
We/I, Venerable Sir/Sister,
request the Three Refuges and the Eight Precepts.

Repeat, after the leader has chanted ‘Namo tassa’ three times.

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa (×3)

Homage to the Blessed, Noble, and Perfectly Enlightened One.

Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

To the Buddha I go for refuge.
To the Dhamma I go for refuge.
To the Saṅgha I go for refuge.

Dutiyampi buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

For the second time…

Tatiyampi buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

For the third time…

Leader:

[Tisaraṇa-gamanaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ]

This completes the going to the Three Refuges.

Response:

Āma bhante / Āma ayye

Yes, Venerable Sir / Sister.

Repeat each precept after the leader.

(1) Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from taking the life of any living creature.

(2) Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.

(3) Abrahmacariyā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from any intentional sexual activity.

(4) Musāvādā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from lying.

(5) Surāmeraya-majja-pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from consuming intoxicating drink and drugs which lead to carelessness.

(6) Vikālabhojanā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi.

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

(7) Nacca-gīta-vādita-visūkadassanā mālā-gandha-vilepana-dhāraṇa-maṇḍana-vibhūsanaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi.

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

(8) Uccāsayana-mahāsayanā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.

A.IV.248–250

Leader:

[Imāni aṭṭha sikkhāpadāni samādiyāmi]

Response:

Imāni aṭṭha sikkhāpadāni samādiyāmi (×3)

I undertake these Eight Precepts.

Leader:

[Imāni aṭṭha sikkhāpadāni
Sīlena sugatiṁ yanti
Sīlena bhogasampadā
Sīlena nibbutiṁ yanti
Tasmā sīlaṁ visodhaye]

These are the Eight Precepts;
virtue is the source of happiness,
virtue is the source of true wealth,
virtue is the source of peacefulness –
Therefore let virtue be purified.

Response:

Sādhu, sādhu, sādhu.

(Bow three times)

Alternative ending for undertaking Uposatha precepts

The laypeople may chant:

‘Imaṁ aṭṭh’aṅga-samannāgataṁ
buddhapaññattaṁ uposathaṁ, imañca rattiṁ
imañca divasaṁ, samma-deva abhirakkhituṁ samādiyāmi.’

Leader:

‘Imāni aṭṭha sikkhāpadāni,
ajj’ekaṁ rattin-divaṁ, uposatha (sīla)
vasena sādhukaṁ (katvā appamādena) rakkhitabbāni.’

Response:

‘Āma bhante.’

Leader:

‘Sīlena sugatiṁ yanti,
Sīlena bhoga-sampadā,
Sīlena nibbutiṁ yanti,
Tasmā sīlaṁ visodhaye.’

Asking Forgiveness of The Triple Gem

(Men Chant)
Ahaṁ buddhañ ca dhammañ ca saṅghañ ca saraṇaṁ gato
upāsakattaṁ desesiṁ bhikkhu-saṅghassa sammukhā.

(Women Chant)
Ahaṁ buddhañ ca dhammañ ca saṅghañ ca saraṇaṁ gatā
upāsikattaṁ desesiṁ bhikkhu-saṅghassa sammukhā.

Etaṁ me saraṇaṁ khemaṁ,
etaṁ saraṇam uttamaṁ
etaṁ saraṇam āgamma sabba-dukkhā pamuccaye.
Yathā-balaṁ careyyāhaṁ sammā-sambuddha-sāsanaṁ

m.
dukkha-nissaraṇass’ eva bhāgī assaṁ anāgate.

w.
dukkha-nissaraṇass’ eva bhāginissaṁ anāgate.

Kāyena vācāya va cetasā vā
buddhe kukammaṁ pakataṁ mayā yaṁ
buddho paṭigghaṅhātu accayantaṁ
kālantare saṁvarituṁ va buddhe

Kāyena vācāya va cetasā vā
dhamme kukammaṁ pakataṁ mayā yaṁ
dhammo paṭigghaṅhātu accayantaṁ
kālantare saṁvarituṁ va dhamme

Kāyena vācāya va cetasā vā
saṅghe kukammaṁ pakataṁ mayā yaṁ
saṅgho paṭigghaṅhātu accayantaṁ
kālantare saṁvarituṁ va sanghe

Taking Leave after Uposatha

Having undertaken the Eight Precepts, lay followers may stay overnight at the monastery. The next morning they will take their leave from the senior monk:

Laypeople:

Handa dāni mayaṁ bhante āpucchāma
bahukiccā mayaṁ bahukaraṇīyā

Senior monk:

‘Yassa dāni tumhe kālaṁ maññatha.’

‘Please do what is appropriate at this time.’

Disrobing

After the bhikkhus who are to witness the disrobing have assembled, the bhikkhu who will disrobe should first confess his offences and ask for forgiveness. Wearing all his three robes, with his saṅghāti on his left shoulder:

Bow three times.

‘Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa’ (×3)

Optionally, one may chant Recollection After Using the Requisites.

Bow three times.

Recite in Pali and in his own language:

‘Sikkhaṁ paccakkhāmi. Gihī’ti maṁ dhāretha.’

I give up the training. May you regard me as a layman.

He may state this once, three times, or as many times as he needs to assure himself that he is now a layman and no longer a bhikkhu. If two or more are disrobing, they should state this passage separately.

The former bhikkhu then withdraws to change into lay clothes. When he returns, he may request the Three Refuges and Five Precepts.