Observing the Moral Precepts (From 'The Teachings of the Buddha', the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Yangon, 1997)

Asking for the Five Precepts

"Aham bhante tisaranena saha pancasilam dhammam yacami anuggaham katva silam detha me bhante.

Dutiyampi -Aham bhante tisaranena saha pancasilam dhammam yacami anuggaham katva silam detha me bhante.

Tatiyampi -Aham bhante tisaranena saha pancasilam dhammam yacami anuggaham katva silam detha me bhante.

(Bhikkhu)==> " Ya-maham vadami tam vedetha

(Lay devotees)==> "Ama bhante."

Note It is not necessary to recite "Ama bhate" if one observes the precept in front of me Buddha image himself.

Meaning

Venerable sir, I observe the five precepts together with the threefold refuge.

Venerable sir, please help me ohserve the five precepts out of compassion for me.

(Bhikkhu)==> Repeat after me as I say.

(Lay devotees)==> Yes, Venerable Sir.

The Formula of Paying Homage to the Buddha

Pali word - Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato sammasambuddhassa (three times)

Meaning - Veneration to the Exalted One, the One worthy of special veneration, and the perfectly enlightened One.

Taking three Refuges

Pali word -

Buddham saranam gacchami

Dhammam saranam gacchami

Samgham saranam gacchami

Dutiyampi -Buddham saranam gacchami

Dutiyampi -Dhammam saranam gacchami

Dutiyampi -Samgham saranam gacchami

Tatiyampi-Buddham saranam gacchami

Tatiyampi-Buddham saranam gacchami

Tatiyampi-Buddham saranam gacchami

Bhikkhu==> Saranagamanam paripunnam

Lay devotees==> Ama bhante

Meaning

I take refuge in the Buddha

I take refuge in the Dhamma

I take refuge in the Samgha

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 Samgha

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 Samgha

Bhikkhu ==>- you have now completed the act of taking three refuges.

Lay devotees ==> Yes, Venerable Sir.

Note : It is not necessary to recite "Ama bhante" if one takes the three refuges in front of the Buddha image.

Undertaking the Five Precepts

How to establish and observe the five precepts (In Pali and English rendeiing)

In Pali

(1)Panatipata veramanisikkhapadam samadiyami:

(2)Adinnadana veramanisikkhapadam samadiyami:

(3) Kamesumicchacara veramanisikkhapadam samadiyami:

(4)Musavada veramanisikkhapadam samadiyami:

(5)Suramerayamajja pama datthana veramanisikkhapadam samadiyami:

Meaning

1. I observe the precept of abstaining from killing any living beings.
2. I observe the Precept of abstaining from taking wnat is not given by the owner.
3. I observe the precept of abstaining from committing sexual misconduct.
4. I observe the precept of abstaining from telling lies.
5. I observe the precept of abstaining from taking any intoxicant or drug that causes forgetfulness.

Bhikkhu:==> Tisranena saha pancasilam dhammam sadhukam katva appamadena sampadetha.

Do observe the five precepts together with the Three Refuges with diligence and steadfast mindfulness

Lay-devotees:==> Ama bhante.Yes, Venerable Sir.

"Meaning of Saranagamana"

The Pali word 'saranagamana' means the solemn recognition of the Three Refuges as the holiest objects of worship because they can ward off danger, bring good benefits, eliminate suffering and deliver happiness.

Existence and Disappearance of Saranagamana

One can establish Saranagamana by reciting "Buddham saranam gacchami, Dhamman saranam gacchami Samgham saranam gacchami"in front of a monk, a Buddha image or a pagoda recognizing solemnly the Three Refuges as the holiest objects of worship. So long as one is alive or one is not converted to another system of belief, the Saranagamana will remain in oneself and it will ward of danger, bring good benefits, eliminate suffering and deliver happiness. When one dies or when one is converted to another system of belief, the Saranagamana completely disappears in one.

The Benefits of Saranagamana

(1) Those who can maintain Saranagamana till death, will not be reborn in lower abodes when they die.

(2) They will be rebron as human beings or celestial beings.

(3) They will surpass others in the following ten virtues:

1. in enjoying visible objects,
2. in enjoying pleasant sounds,
3. in enjoying sweet odours,
4. in enjoying good taste,
5. in enjoying pleasant contact,
6. in enjoying a long life,
7. in enjoying good appearance,
8. in enjoying happiness,
9. in enjoying power, and
10. in enjoying the number of companions.

In the world the Three Gems are the most superior. If one takes refuge in Three Gems, he will gain such advantages as long life, good appearance, etc. If one misconceives the Three Gems, he cannot attain Magga and Phala and he will be reborn in Niraya.

The Consequences of Breaking or Observing the Five Precepts

The Consequences of Killing Sentient Beings

Whosoever kills any living being will be reborn in one of the four lower abodes after death. Even when he is freed from there and is again reborn as a man, he will encounter the following evil consequences:

1. Having physical deformities and disfigurements,
2. Being ugly,
3. Being pale and feeble,
4. Being dull and inactive,
5. Being easily frightened when confronted with danger,
6. Being killed by other or facing death in youth,
7. Suffering from many diseases,
8. Having few friends, and
9. Being separated from beloved ones.

On the other hand the one who abstains from killing sentient beings will enjoy the benefits which are the opposite of the above consequences.

Consequences of Stealing

Stealing includes taking other's things vithout asking for the permission of the owner, and taking other's properties by force or by cheating or by trick. Whosoever commits stealing will be reborn in one of the four lower abodes when he dies. Even when he is freed from there and is again reborn as a man, he encounter the following evil consequences:

1. Being poor,
2. Having the bodily and mental suffering,
3. Being totured by hunger and starvation,
4. Having unfulfilled wishes,
5. Having unstable and easily perishable fortune.
6. Having properties destoryed by five the enemies, namely flood, fire, thieves, bad inheritors and bad rulers.

On the other hand the one who from stealing will enjoy the benefits which are the opposite of the above consequences.

The Consequences of Sexual Misconduct

Whosoever has sexual ralation with person other than one's spouse is said to have committed sexual misconduct. That person will be rebron in one of the lower abodes when dies. Even if he is freed from there and again reborn as a human being, he will encounter the following evil consequences:

1. Being disgusted by others.
2. Having many enemies.
3. Lacking of wealth and prosperity,
4. Being deprived of happiness,
5. Being rebron as a woman,
6. Being rebron as a sexual pervert,
7. Being rebron in the inferior lineage,
8. Encountering disgrace,
9. Having physical deformities,
10. Being separated from beloved ones,
11. Being inflicted with the loss of wealth.

On the other hand, the one who abstains from sexual misconduct, will enjoy the benefits which are the opposite of the above consequences.

The Consequences of Telling Lies

Telling what is not true by gesture or by words with malicious intention is commit ting the action of falsehood. The gravity of that offence corresponds to the amount of harm done on others. The liar will have to suffer in the miserable realms after his death. If he were to be reborn in the human world he will be afflicted with the following defects:

1. poor pronunciaton,
2. uneven teeth,
3. foul breath.,
4. unhealth complexion,
5. poor eyesight and poor hearing,
6. defective appearance,
7. lack of influence on others,
8. harshness of speech, and
9. restlessness of the mind.

On the other hand the one who abstaius from telling lies will enjoy the benefits which are the oppsite of the above consequences.

The Consequences of Indulging in Intoxicants

Intoxicants and narcotic drugs such as alcohalic, liquors, opium, cocaine and heroin are addictive. Consuming any of these leads to the drukeness, forgetfullness and lack of common sense. These in turn lead to murder, lying and adultery, etc. Moreover the user of intoxicants or narcotic drugs will enjoy poor health, die young and will be rebron in woeful abodes.

Even when he is freed from there and is again reborn as a human being, he will encounter the following evil conseuqences;

1. lack of intelligence.
2. being lazy,
3. lack of mindfulness.
4. being ungrateful.
5. lack of moral shame and moral dread;
6. insanity, and
7. tendency to commit all evil deeds.

On the other hand he who abstains from consuming intoxicants will enjoy the benefits which are the opposite of the above evil consequences.