The Request:

Mayaṁ bhante, ti-saraṇena saha aṭṭha sīlāni yācāma.

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

Dutiyam-pi mayaṁ bhante…

Venerable Sir, a second time…

Tatiyam-pi mayaṁ bhante…

Venerable Sir, a third time…

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

Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.

I go to the Buddha for refuge.

Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.

I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.

I go to the Saṅgha for refuge.

Dutiyam-pi buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.

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

Dutiyam-pi dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.

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

Dutiyam-pi saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.

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

Tatiyam-pi buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.

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

Tatiyam-pi dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.

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

Tatiyam-pi saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi.

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

The monk then says:

Ti-saraṇa-gamanaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.

This ends the going for refuge.

The lay people respond:

Āma bhante.

Yes, Venerable Sir.

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

Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from taking life.

Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from stealing.

Abrahma-cariyā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from sexual intercourse.

Musāvādā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the training rule to refrain from telling lies.

Surā-meraya-majja-pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.

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

Vikāla-bhojanā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.

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

Nacca-gīta-vādita-visūka-dassanā mālā-gandha-vilepana-dhāraṇa-maṇḍana-vibhūsanaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.

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

Uccāsayana-mahāsayanā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṁ samādiyāmi.

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

Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā-padāni samādiyāmi.

I undertake these eight precepts.

Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā-padāni samādiyāmi.

I undertake these eight precepts.

Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā-padāni samādiyāmi.

I undertake these eight precepts.

(Bow three times)