Ordination for an Eight-Precept Nun

Arahaṁ sammā-sambuddho bhagavā.

The Blessed One is Worthy & Rightly Self-awakened.

Buddhaṁ bhagavantaṁ abhivādemi.

I bow down before the Awakened, Blessed One.

(Bow down)

Svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo.

The Dhamma is well-expounded by the Blessed One.

Dhammaṁ namasmi.

I pay homage to the Dhamma.

(Bow down)

Supaṭipanno bhagavato vaka-saṅgho.

The Saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples has practiced well.

Saṅghaṁ namāmi.

I pay respect to the Saṅgha.

(Bow down)

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato

sammā-sambuddhassa. (three times)

Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One,

the Rightly Self-awakened One.

Esāhaṁ bhante, sucira-parinibbutam-pi, taṁ bhagavantaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi, dhammañ-ca bhikkhu-saṅghañ-ca. Pabbajjaṁ maṁ saṅgho dhāretu, ajjatagge pānupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gataṁ.

Venerable sir, I take refuge in the Blessed One—even though he long ago was totally unbound—together with the Dhamma & the Bhikkhu Saṅgha. May the Saṅgha regard me as one gone forth, having attained refuge from this day forward.

Ahaṁ bhante, ti-saraṇena saha aṭṭha lāni yācāma.

Venerable Sir, I 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 nun repeats it three times:

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato

sammā-sambuddhassa. (three times)

Homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One,

the Rightly Self-awakened One.

The monk then recites the following passages line by line, with the nun reciting line by line after him.

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 nun responds:

Āma bhante.

Yes, Venerable Sir.

The monk then recites the precepts line by line, with the nun 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.

Muvādā 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-vika-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-masayanā 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 aṭṭhasikkhā-padāni samādiyāmi.

I undertake these eight precepts.

Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā-padāni samādiyāmi.

I undertake these eight precepts.

(Bow three times)