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The Three Refuges and Five Precepts

IMC-Lewes Posted on January 30, 2024

On January 22, our visiting teacher Larissa Kitenko presented the sangha with the annual taking of the Refuges and Precepts for daily life in Pali and in English. Attached is her handout.

Larissa closed with “Whatever has brought you to this Sangha or whatever has been bringing you back, the Dhamma teachings welcome you. Whatever your color, race, class, physical ability, gender, sexual orientation, political views, this is a safe place. All are welcome!”

The Three Refuges

The Three Refuges (also known as the Three Jewels) form the simple framework for the transmission of the Buddhist philosophy. When a person accepts the Buddhist philosophy and wants to make it part of their life, the traditional way is to say “I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma, I take refuge in the Sangha.”

  • Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa (3 times)
    Homage to the Blessed One, the Noble One, the Enlightened One.
Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchami
Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchami
Sanghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchami

Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami

Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami

I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dhamma.
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 second time, I take refuge in the Sangha.

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.

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa (3 times)
Homage to the Blessed One, the Noble One, the Enlightened One.

Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchami
(I take refuge in the Buddha)
Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchami
(I take refuge in the Dhamma)
Sanghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchami
(I take refuge in the Sangha)

Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
(For the second time, I take refuge in the Buddha)
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
(For the second time, I take refuge in the Dhamma)
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
(For the second time, I take refuge in the Sangha)

Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami
(For the third time, I take refuge in the Buddha)
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami
(For the third time, I take refuge in the Dhamma)
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami
(For the third time,I take refuge in the Sangha)

The Five Precepts

Just as the Three Refuges forms the simple framework for the transmission of the Buddhist philosophy, the Five Precepts are the basic ethical guidelines for the followers of the philosophy that we can undertake to put into practice in our lives.

  1. Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from killing.

  2. Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from stealing.

  3. Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from harming through sexual activity.

  4. Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to refrain from harmful speech.

  5. Sura meraya majja pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
    I undertake the precept to abstain from intoxicants that cloud the mind and heart.

For further information, please see this article from Wildmind Meditation and this article from Tricycle.

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