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, opāyikaṃ, paṭirūpaṃ,
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 mayhaṃ 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:

‘Kappiyaṃ karohi’ ‘Make it allowable.’

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

‘Kappiyaṃ 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 gāmappavesanaṃ 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.
Ayaṃ paṭhama-bhāgo therassa pāpuṇāti.
Avasesā bhāgā amhākañc’eva pāpuṇanti.
Bhikkhūnañca sīladharānaṃ sāmaṇerānaṃ gahaṭṭhānaṃ
Te yathāsukhaṃ 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

Paṃsukūla-cīvara (Taking Rag-cloth)

‘Imaṃ paṃsukūla-cīvaraṃ assāmikaṃ mayhaṃ 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:

‘Okāsaṃ me bhante thero detu vinaya-kathaṃ kathetuṃ.’

‘Namo… (×3); Buddhaṃ Dhammaṃ Saṅghaṃ namassāmi.’

‘Vinayo sāsanassa āyū’ti. Karotu me āyasmā okāsaṃ ahan-taṃ 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 okāsaṃ.’

‘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:

‘Okāsaṃ me bhante thero detu dhamma-kathaṃ kathetuṃ.’

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

‘Namo… (×3); Buddhaṃ Dhammaṃ Saṅghaṃ namassāmi.’

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

‘Apārutā tesaṃ amatassa dvārā ye sotavantā pamuñcantu saddhaṃ.’

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

‘Ito paraṃ sakkaccaṃ 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 anadhivaraṃ ayācatha

Santīdha sattāpparajakkha-jātikā
Desetu dhammaṃ anukampimaṃ pajaṃ

(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.’

Buddhavaṃsa 1

Acknowledging the Teaching

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

‘Handa mayaṃ dhamma-kathāya / ovāda-kathāya sādhukāraṃ 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:

‘Ayaṃ dhamma- / vinaya- / dhammavinaya-kathā sādh’āyasmantehi saṃrakkhetabbā’ti.’

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

The person next in seniority after the speaker:

‘Handa mayaṃ dhamma- / vinaya- / dhammavinaya-kathāya sādhukāraṃ 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

Mayaṃ bhante tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāma
Dutiyampi mayaṃ bhante tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāma
Tatiyampi mayaṃ bhante tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāma

For oneself from a monk

Ahaṃ bhante tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāmi
Dutiyampi ahaṃ bhante tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāmi
Tatiyampi ahaṃ bhante tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāmi

For a group from a nun

Mayaṃ ayye tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāma
Dutiyampi mayaṃ ayye tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāma
Tatiyampi mayaṃ ayye tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāma

For oneself from a nun

Ahaṃ ayye tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāmi
Dutiyampi ahaṃ ayye tisaraṇena saha
pañca sīlāni yācāmi
Tatiyampi ahaṃ 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.

Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

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

Dutiyampi buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

For the second time…

Tatiyampi buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

For the third time…

Leader:

[Tisaraṇa-gamanaṃ niṭṭhitaṃ]

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 sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi

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

(2) Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi

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

(3) Kāmesu micchācārā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.

(4) Musāvādā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from lying.

(5) Surāmeraya-majja-pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi

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

Leader:

[Imāni pañca sikkhāpadāni
Sīlena sugatiṃ yanti
Sīlena bhogasampadā
Sīlena nibbutiṃ yanti
Tasmā sīlaṃ 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

Mayaṃ bhante tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma
Dutiyampi mayaṃ bhante tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma
Tatiyampi mayaṃ bhante tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma

For oneself from a monk

Ahaṃ bhante tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāmi
Dutiyampi ahaṃ bhante tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāmi
Tatiyampi ahaṃ bhante tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāmi

For a group from a nun

Mayaṃ ayye tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma
Dutiyampi mayaṃ ayye tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma
Tatiyampi mayaṃ ayye tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma

For oneself from a nun

Ahaṃ ayye tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāmi
Dutiyampi ahaṃ ayye tisaraṇena saha
aṭṭha sīlāni yācāmi
Tatiyampi ahaṃ 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.

Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

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

Dutiyampi buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

For the second time…

Tatiyampi buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi

For the third time…

Leader:

[Tisaraṇa-gamanaṃ niṭṭhitaṃ]

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 sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi

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

(2) Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi

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

(3) Abrahmacariyā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi

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

(4) Musāvādā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi

I undertake the precept to refrain from lying.

(5) Surāmeraya-majja-pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi

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

(6) Vikālabhojanā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

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

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

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

(8) Uccāsayana-mahāsayanā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ 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 sugatiṃ yanti
Sīlena bhogasampadā
Sīlena nibbutiṃ yanti
Tasmā sīlaṃ 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:

‘Imaṃ aṭṭh’aṅga-samannāgataṃ
buddhapaññattaṃ uposathaṃ, imañca rattiṃ
imañca divasaṃ, samma-deva abhirakkhituṃ samādiyāmi.’

Leader:

‘Imāni aṭṭha sikkhāpadāni,
ajj’ekaṃ rattin-divaṃ, uposatha (sīla)
vasena sādhukaṃ (katvā appamādena) rakkhitabbāni.’

Response:

‘Āma bhante.’

Leader:

‘Sīlena sugatiṃ yanti,
Sīlena bhoga-sampadā,
Sīlena nibbutiṃ yanti,
Tasmā sīlaṃ visodhaye.’

Asking Forgiveness of The Triple Gem

(Men Chant)
Ahaṃ buddhañ ca dhammañ ca saṅghañ ca saraṇaṃ gato
upāsakattaṃ desesiṃ bhikkhu-saṅghassa sammukhā.

(Women Chant)
Ahaṃ buddhañ ca dhammañ ca saṅghañ ca saraṇaṃ gatā
upāsikattaṃ desesiṃ bhikkhu-saṅghassa sammukhā.

Etaṃ me saraṇaṃ khemaṃ,
etaṃ saraṇam uttamaṃ
etaṃ saraṇam āgamma sabba-dukkhā pamuccaye.
Yathā-balaṃ careyyāhaṃ sammā-sambuddha-sāsanaṃ

m.
dukkha-nissaraṇass’ eva bhāgī assaṃ anāgate.

w.
dukkha-nissaraṇass’ eva bhāginissaṃ anāgate.

Kāyena vācāya va cetasā vā
buddhe kukammaṃ pakataṃ mayā yaṃ
buddho paṭigghaṅhātu accayantaṃ
kālantare saṃvarituṃ va buddhe

Kāyena vācāya va cetasā vā
dhamme kukammaṃ pakataṃ mayā yaṃ
dhammo paṭigghaṅhātu accayantaṃ
kālantare saṃvarituṃ va dhamme

Kāyena vācāya va cetasā vā
saṅghe kukammaṃ pakataṃ mayā yaṃ
saṅgho paṭigghaṅhātu accayantaṃ
kālantare saṃvarituṃ 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 mayaṃ bhante āpucchāma
bahukiccā mayaṃ bahukaraṇīyā

Senior monk:

‘Yassa dāni tumhe kālaṃ 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:

‘Sikkhaṃ paccakkhāmi. Gihī’ti maṃ 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.