Triple Gem and 5 Precepts

[Rory]

Gassho;
   the new Fo Guang Shan Temple  where I live is having a big grand opening ceremony with the Venerables from Taiwan giving Refuge and Precepts. I have taken refuge in a Japanese tradition. So is there anything people can tell me or I might need to know?
Rory

[Sonam Wangchug]

May your moral aspirations come to fruit!

May all sentient beings take vows!

[t]

This has been my experience from last year in October when I attended the 'San Gui Wu Jie' or 'Triple Refuge/Five Precepts' to renew my Refuge/Precepts pledge (first taken in 1999 under a former Chief Abbess of FGS in my country.) It was presided by the Grandmaster Xing Yun, Founder of Fo Guang Shan and with another 2 Venerables at his sides with one to do an English translation of his Dharma talk and explanations on the Refuge & 5 Precepts. Here's a Youtube video on it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yi1rAG9bNI

1. Links on the Grandmaster and His Organisation, Fo Guang Shan/Buddha Light Mountain:
http://www.fgs.org.tw/english/index/index.htm
http://www.fgs.org.tw/english/index/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fo_Guang_Shan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hsing_Yun

Links on His Lineage, the Linji Ch'an Order:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linji

2. The Grandmaster's Teachings (In English booklet format)
http://www.blpusa.com/bies-top.html

3. The Haiqing and Man Yi Robes (Refuge Robe and Precept Sash/Robe)
Traditionally worn by those in Chinese Mahayana Buddhism, the 'Haiqing' is a Chinese long black gown like robe with long butterfly sleeves which is worn by those who have taken the Refuge. Normally worn in temple ceremonies or privately at home/anywhere when performing formal chanting with Dharma instruments. However, it is also an allowable option for one to wear it or not, at ceremonies or anywhere else when informal chanting is performed.   
The 'Man Yi' is a dark brown sash/robe worn over the shoulders and on top of the Haiqing baring the right shoulder. There are 2 kinds: one worn by the Monastics (which has rice field stripes/squares) and the other is the plain type worn by the Laity who have taken the basic 5 Precepts or more.
For those who have taken the Refuge & 5 Precepts, they can wear both.

Purpose of wearing:
i. As an external dignified sign of adorning the Way Place/Temple/Dharma Centre with the Fourfold Assembly of Monks, Nuns, Laymen and Laywomen's Dharma practice
ii. Observance of Sila/Morality/Precepts and a faithful reminder to maintain mindful conduct at all times.
iii. Also, as one way of maintaining outward modesty in the temple
 
Below are videos showing how one handles those robes from wearing to folding it back: (varies from one Order to another but generally there is much flexibility in this matter and best to check with the local FGS centre for their precise standard as I have not found any videos showing their style)
http://www.youtube.com/user/plwk#g/c/607CC4F300ED3538

4. Refuge/Precepts Ceremony and Links:
a. In Chinese Mahayana Trad, the allowance is given for those who want to take the Refuge only as some may feel that they are not ready for the full 5 Precepts and some only take less than 5 Precepts and generally are not known as the 'full fledged' Upasaka / Upasika, so that's why you can notice that the Ceremony is divided into 2 parts: one for Refuge seekers only and the other Refuge & 5 Precept seekers although all are encouraged to take up the full set. Basically, after all the preliminary official ceremony stuff, the Presiding Preceptor will give a short discourse on Refuge, the 5 Precepts and also on Bodhicitta Vows as found in the Repentance Verses and so forth to enable those participants to understand their commitments. Then, after that, certain verses are recited/sung to help one to foster and bolster one's resolve to practice for benefit and liberation of others and oneself. Here's some short readings:
1 2 3

b. One can purchase the robes from FGS outlet/temple and for the ceremony, only the Man Yi is requested to be handed over to the temple and marked with one's name, where during the ceremony, it is blessed and handed back to the participant to be worn. The Haiqing is worn by the participant before and during the ceremony.

c. A certificate/card will be given to the participant with details of the date/day/place/Preceptor of ceremony and with one's own Dharma name and other ceremony souvenirs as well. I obtained a wrist mala and a DVD commemorating FGS' 20 years in my country.

5. Appended below is a short sample format taken from the Yahoo FGS E-Liturgy Group of which I am a member, of what might be expected as I do not have the actual long format of the whole ceremony.     

Taking Refuge and Five Precepts Endowment Ceremony

Pay Respect to the Buddhas with Three Prostrations

The Guiding Teacher stands at the front of each group, then says:
'Face the front and join your palms.'
After three strikes of the bowl bell, the Guiding Teacher proclaims:
'Make three prostrations to the Buddha.  Bow.  Face each other.  Join palms.' 

Praise of the Incense Offering
LU  XIANG  ZHA  RE
Incense has just begun to burn in the censer
FA  JIE  MENG  XUN
All dharmadhatus receive the permeation
ZHU  FO  HAI  HUI  XI  YAO  WEN
All Buddhas’ great congregation perceives it from far
SUI  CHU  JIE  XIANG  YUN
Auspicious clouds gather everywhere
CHENG  YI  FANG  YING
In the midst of our utmost sincerity
CHU  FO  XIAN  QUAN  SHEN
All Buddhas manifest themselves in their entirely
NA  MO  XIANG  YUN  GAI  PU  SA  MO  HE  SA
Homage to all Bodhisattvas and Mahasattvas under incense cloud canopies ( X3 each with prostration. )

NA  MO  BEN  SHI  SHI  JIA  MO  NI  FO ( X3 )
Homage to Sakyamuni Buddha. ( X3 )
 
Chanting of the Heart Sutra (With joined palms.)
BO  RE  BO  LUO  MI  DUO  XIN  JING
Prajnaparamita  Heart  Sutra
GUAN  ZI  ZAI  PU  SA
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, 
XING  SHEN  BO  RE  BO  LUO  MI  DUO  SHI
While contemplating the profound Prajnaparamita,
ZHAO  JIAN  WU  YUN  JIE  KONG  DU  YI  QIE  KU  E
Clearly saw that the five skandhas are empty, and thus overcame all ills and suffering.
SHE  LI  ZI  SE  BU  YI  KONG  KONG  BU  YI  SE
Sariputra, form is no other than emptiness; emptiness is no other than form;
SE  JI  SHI  KONG  KONG  JI  SHI  SE 
Form is exactly emptiness, emptiness is exactly form.
SHOU  XIANG  XING  SHI  YI  FU  RU  SHI
Sensation, perception, volition, consciousness are also such.
SHE  LI  ZI  SHI  ZHU  FA  KONG  XIANG
Sariputra, all dharmas are empty of characteristics,
BU  SHENG  BU  MIE  BU  GOU  BU  JING  BU  ZENG  BU  JIAN
Neither arising nor ceasing; neither contaminated nor pure; neither increasing nor decreasing
SHI  GU  KONG  ZHONG  WU  SE  WU  SHOU  XIANG  XING  SHI
So, in emptiness there is no form; no sensation, perception, volition or consciousness,
WU  YAN  ER  BI  SHE  SHEN  YI 
No eye, ear, nose, tongue, body or mind, 
WU  SE  SHENG  XIANG  WEI  CHU  FA
No form, sound, smell, taste, touch or object of mind.
WU  YAN  JIE  NAI  ZHI  WU  YI  SHI  JIE
No realm of the eye, and so forth, and even no realm of mental consciousness,
WU  WU  MING  YI  WU  WU  MING  JIN 
No ignorance and no cessation of ignorance; up to
NAI  ZHI  WU  LAO  SI  YI  WU  LAO  SI  JIN
And so forth, and even no ageing and death, and no cessation of ageing and death.
WU  KU  JI  MIE  DAO  WU  ZHI  YI  WU  DE
No suffering, origination, cessation, or path to emancipation.  No wisdom or attainment.
YI  WU  SUO  DE  GU  PU  TI  SA  TUO
As there is no attainment, the Bodhisattvas
YI  BO  RE  BO  LUO  MI  DUO  GU 
Abide in Prajnaparamita.
XIN  WU  GUA  AI  WU  GUA  AI  GU  WU  YOU  KONG  BU
Their minds have no hindrance.  As there is no hindrance, there is no fear.
YUAN  LI  DIAN  DAO  MENG  XIANG  JIU  JING  NIE  PAN 
They are free from inverted views, and ultimately realize nirvana.
SAN  SHI  ZHU  FO  YI  BO  RE  BO  LUO  MI  DUO  GU
All Buddhas of the three periods of time thus abide in Prajnaparamita,
DE  A  NIAO  DUO  LUO  SAN  MIAO  SAN  PU  TI 
And therefore attain supreme enlightenment.
GU  ZHI  BO  RE  BO  LUO  MI  DUO 
Therefore know that the Prajnaparamita
SHI  DA  SHEN  ZHOU  SHI  DA  MING  ZHOU 
Is the great mantra, the illuminating mantra,
SHI  WU  SHANG  ZHOU  SHI  WU  DENG  DENG  ZHOU
The supreme mantra, the unequaled mantra.
NENG  CHU  YI  QIE  KU  ZHEN  SHI  BU  XU
Able to eliminate all suffering, it is true and not false.
GU  SHUO  BO  RE  BO  LUO  MI  DUO  ZHOU  JI  SHUO  ZHOU  YUE
Thus is the Prajnaparamita mantra exclaimed.  Saying thus:
JIE  DI  JIE  DI  BO  LUO  JIE  DI 
Gate gate paragate
BO  LUO  SENG  JIE  DI  PU  TI  SA  PO  HE
Parasamgate bodhi svaha.

Inviting the Preceptor
The Guiding Teacher proclaims:
All good men and good women!  Sincerely make three prostrations to the preceptor.  Bow.  Kneel down.  Join palms.

The Guiding Teacher:
In order to transform ourselves, we must take refuge in the Triple Gem.  In order to eradicate our defilements and accumulate merits from wholesome actions, we must adhere to the Five Precepts.  Without an eminent teacher, we cannot learn the right teachings.  Now, on your behalf, we sincerely invite Venerable _______________, as representative of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, to be the preceptor for your Refuge and Precepts.  Follow me and wholeheartedly invite the presence of the preceptor.  Since you may not know the proper wording, I will teach you.  Please repeat after me.

The Guiding Teacher will recite each sentence first for the preceptees to follow. 
Preceptor! On account of my sincere invitation, please be our preceptor for the Three Refuges and Five Precepts.  Relying on you, I can thus take refuge in the Triple Gem and uphold the Five Precepts.  Please accept my invitation out of your great compassion.

The Guiding Teacher proclaims:
Make a prostration.  Kneel down.  Join palms.

The Preceptor knocks on the table and begins to teach:
All good men and women!  Since you have earnestly requested, I will confer on you the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts.  Listen carefully to what I shall now expound. 
Precepts are the foundation of cultivating virtue and inhibiting evil, and the seeds whereby one transcends the ordinary and progresses to sage-hood.  Once a person takes the Three Refuges and vows to abide by the Five Precepts, they thereupon cut off the endless cycle of rebirth.  When one upholds the precepts without forgetting the initial aspiration, there will be no violations from beginning to end.  The Buddha, the World Honored One, has opened the gate of expediency by enumerating various categories of precepts, starting with the Three Refuges, and then the Five Precepts.  Taking the Three Refuges is to take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.  The Five Precepts are: No killing, no stealing, no improper sexual conduct, no lying and no intoxicants.  Since people are of different inclinations and temperaments as they progress along the various stages of cultivation, they must be guided accordingly from the superficial to the profound, from the slight to the strong.  Ultimately there is only one root, not two or three.  Good men and women, you seek to Take Refuge and receive the Five Precepts of the Upasaka or Upasika.  The Sanskrit term Upasaka denotes a male lay practitioner, and Upasika denotes a female lay practitioner, who associates oneself closely with the Triple Gem, cultivates extensively the good virtues, makes offerings, and sows the seeds of good action within the Sangha which is the field of merit. 
To take the Three Refuges is to take refuge in the Buddha by taking our founder, Sakyamuni Buddha, as our teacher; to take refuge in the Dharma by taking the Tripitaka as the unsurpassed teaching; and to take refuge in the Sangha by taking those who teach the Dharma as our friends and community.  The Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha possess infinite merits of true purity and are able to terminate the immeasurable sufferings of endless rebirths, thus allowing living beings to be free from great fear.  Therefore, one should first take refuge in the Triple Gem as the initial step in the cultivation of the mind.
The Five Precepts are abstinence from killing, stealing, improper sexual conduct, lying and taking intoxicants.  One who is benevolent does not kill, one who is righteous does not steal, one who observes propriety does not commit sexual misconduct, one who is truthful does not lie, and one who is wise does not take intoxicants.  Therefore, if one observes the Five Precepts, these virtues will prevail. 
For example, in a community of a hundred households, if ten people take refuge in the Triple Gem, there will be ten honest and prudent people.  If one hundred people observe the Five Precepts, there will be a hundred people living harmoniously together.  If this moral habit is propagated throughout the country, there will be millions of benevolent people.  By practicing one good deed, one gets rid of one evil deed and there will be one less offence and subsequent punishment.  If each family has one offence less, the whole country has a hundred offences less.  If the Five Precepts are firmly established, there will only be peace in the country.  Therefore, the observance of the Five Precepts is not only to follow the Buddhist regulations and receive the appropriate karmic rewards, but also to bring about national security and social order. 
What I have explained so far is the essence and meaning of the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts. 

Requesting the Presence of the Holy
The Preceptor knocks on the table and says:
All good men and good women!  You have just heard the meaning of the Three Refuges and the Five Precepts.  From hearing them, one can then develop understanding, and from understanding, one can uphold them.

Guiding Teacher:
All rise.  Join palms.

The Preceptor continues:
Sincerely invite the protectors of the Triple Gem to witness and protect the endowment.  Follow after me in inviting them.  First begin by stating your name ( Name ).

The Preceptor rises, holding the sandalwood, and begins chanting the first line.  Everyone joins in making the invitation from the second line.
XIANG  HUA  YING  XIANG  HUA  QING
I welcome you with incense and flowers. I invite you with incense and flowers. 
DI  ZI  (name)  DENG  YI  XIN  FENG  QING
I, your disciple (name), make this request with all my heart:
SHUO  PO  JIAO  ZHU  BEN  SHI  SHI  JIA  MO  NI  FO
The Lord of this Saha world, our teacher, Sakyamuni Buddha,
XI  FANG  JIE  YIN  A  MI  TO  FO
The welcoming Buddha of the west, Amitabha Buddha,
DANG  LAI  XIA  SHENG  MI  LE  ZUN  FO
The coming Buddha, honorable Maitreya,
JIN  XU  KONG  PIAN  FA  JIE  YI  QIE  ZHU  FO
All Buddhas from throughout space and the Dharma realms,
WEI  YUAN  CI  GUANG  SHE  ZHAO  AI  MING  XIA  QING
I wish that their compassionate light will shine forth on all sentient beings in sympathy,
MAN  WO  SHUO  QIU  ZHENG  MENG  SHOU  JIE
Fulfill my request and be a witness to my Taking Refuge and receiving the Precepts.
Guiding Teacher:
Make one prostration. Join palms.
XIANG  HUA  YING  XIANG  HUA  QING
I welcome you with incense and flowers. I invite you with incense and flowers.
DI  ZI  (name)  DENG  YI  XIN  FENG  QING
I, your disciple (name), make this request with all my heart:
DA  XIAO  E  CHENG  PI  NI  LU  ZANG
The Vinaya Pitaka of both the Mahayana and Theravada traditions,
WU  PIAN  SAN  JU  JIE  TUO  MU  CHA
The five sections and three collections of the Pratimoksa,
SHI  E  FEN  JING  QUAN  SHI  JIAO  DIAN
The twelve-fold Sutras and both provisional and absolute teachings,
BA  DA  ZONG  YAO  KAI  SHI  SHENG  DIAN 
The eight great schools, the teachings and sutras,
LI  YU  ZHEN  JING  SHEN  SHENG  FA  BAO
To leave desire and attain true purity, the most profound Dharma Gem,
WEI  YUAN  ZHEN  LI  GUANG   HUI  ZHAO  CHE  WO  DENG 
I wish that the light of the truth will shine upon us all,
JIN  YUN  YI  XIN  GUI  MING  DING  LI
Wholeheartedly, I prostrate myself and take refuge.

Guiding Teacher:
Make one prostration. Join palms.
XIANG  HUA  YING  XIANG  HUA  QING
I welcome you with incense and flowers. I invite you with incense and flowers.
DI  ZI  (name)  DENG  YI  XIN  FENG  QING
I, your disciple (name), request with all my heart:
GUAN  YIN  SHI  ZHI  WEN  SHU  PU  XIAN
Bodhisattvas Avalokitesvara, Mahasthamaprapta, Manjusri and Samantabhadra,
QING  JING  HAI  ZHONG  ZHU  DA  PU  SA
Great Bodhisattvas from the assembly in the pure ocean of Dharma,
LU  ZANG  HUI  SHANG  YOU  PO  LI  ZUN  ZHE
The Venerable Upali, the Master of Vinaya,
XI  TIAN  DONG  TU  LI  DAI  ZU  SHI
The lineage of Indian and Chinese masters and patriarchs,
LIN  JI  ZHENG  ZONG  SHANG  RUO  XIA  SHUN  DA  HE  SHANG
Venerable Master Ruoshun of the Linji School,
WEI  YUAN  BU  WEI  BEN  SHI 
I wish that you will not forget your vows,
CI  GUANG  SHE  ZHAO  GUANG  LIN  DAO  CHANG
That your compassionate light will shine on and grace this holy site,
ZHENG  MENG  GUI  JIE
Be a witness to taking Refuge and receiving the Precepts.

Guiding Teacher:
Make one prostration. Join palms.
XIANG  HUA  YING  XIANG  HUA  QING
I welcome you with incense and flowers. I invite you with incense and flowers. 
DI  ZI  (name)  DENG  YI  XIN  FENG  QING
I, your disciple (name), request with all my heart:
GUANG  MING  HUI  SHANG  JI  WEI  ZHU  TIAN
Celestial beings and devas from all Dharma assemblies,
FAN  SHI  SI  WANG  TIAN  LONG  BA  BU
Sakra, Brahma, the four guardian kings, and eight ranks of nagas,
WEI  TUO  QIE  LAN  TU  DI  CHENG  WANG 
The ghardians of the monastery and shrine,
ZHU  DA  HU  FA  HU  JIE  SHEN  WANG
Dharma protectors and observers of precepts,
JIN  GANG  LI  SHI  YOU  XIAN  LING  QI
Vajra guardians, subtle and manifest spirits,
WEI  YUAN  BU  WEI  BEN  SHI  QI  JIA  LI  LING
I wish that you will not forget your vows, be present by all means,
CI  BEI  XI  SHE  JIAN  TAN  HU  JIE
With loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity, guard and protect the precept transmission.

Guiding Teacher:
Make one prostration. Join palms.

Taking Refuge Vows (Refuge Takers Only)
The Preceptor knocks on the table and says:
All good men and women!  We have just invoked the Triple Gem, at this moment the compassionate light of the Triple Gem is shining on you.  Since you have resolved to take refuge in the Triple Gem and observe the Five Precepts, please take the following oath in front of the Triple Gem.  I have several questions to ask you, and you should answer truthfully.

The Preceptor asks:
All good men and women!  Today you have vowed to take refuge in the Buddha, to regard the Buddha as your teacher from this day forward.  Can you uphold this resolution?
Answer:  Yes, I can.

The Preceptor asks:
All good men and women!  Today you have vowed to take refuge in the Dharma, to regard the Dharma as your path from this day forward.  Can you uphold this resolution?
Answer:  Yes, I can.

The Preceptor asks:
All good men and women!  Today you have vowed to take refuge in the Sangha, to regard the Sangha as your community from this day forward.  Can you uphold this resolution?
Answer:  Yes, I can.

Repentance
The Preceptor knocks on the table and says:
All good men and women! You have just sincerely answered my questions, and demonstrated your sincere intention in Taking Refuge and Receiving the Precepts.  Now, before the Triple Gem, you should sincerely repent to purify yourselves before receiving them.  If you do not know how to repent, I will now teach you. 

The Guiding Teacher says:
Stand up.  Join palms.  First state your name (name) and repeat after me in repentance.
The repentance is first recited in English together. Then it is chanted in Chinese. The Preceptor chants one line, followed by the preceptees who chant the same line, then make one prostration.

WANG  XI  SUO  ZOU  ZHU  E  YIE
All the negative karma I have accumulated from the past,
JIE  YOU  WU  SHI  TAN  CHEN  CHI
Due to desire, anger and ignorance from time without beginning,
CONG  SHEN  YU  YI  ZHI  SUO  SHENG
Produced from body, speech, and mind,
YI  QIE  WO  JIN  JIE  CHAN  HUI
I now repent it all.
ZHONG  SHENG  WU  BIAN  SHI  YUAN  DU
Living beings are limitless, I vow to liberate them all.
FAN  NAO  WU  JIN  SHI  YUAN  DUAN
Defilements are endless, I vow to stop them all.
FA  MEN  WU  LIANG  SHI  YUAN  XUE
Dharma practices are measureless, I vow to learn them all.
FO  DAO  WU  SHANG  SHI  YUAN  CHENG
The Buddha Path is supreme, I vow to practice it.
NA  MO  PU  XIAN  WANG  PU  SA  MO  HE  SA
Homage to Samantabhadra Bodhisattva Mahasattva.
( X3 each with prostration )

The Guiding Teacher says:
Kneel down.  Join palms.

The Meaning of the Three Refuges
The Preceptor teaches:
All good men and women! You have just repented and vowed in front of the Triple Gem. Now, your body and mind are pure enough to take the Three Refuges and receive the Five Precepts. I am going to proclaim on your behalf the meaning of the Three Refuges, so that you may understand the essence of the precepts.  Say your name, (name), and repeat after me.
The Preceptor will recite each sentence first, then everyone repeats after them:
I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.  Taking refuge in the Buddha, one will have unsurpassed merits and wisdom.  Taking refuge in the Dharma, one will be detached from desires.  Taking refuge in the Sangha, one will be outstanding among sentient beings.  I have taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

Guiding Teacher:
Make one prostration.  Join palms.

The Preceptor continues:
I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. 
Life after life, I take refuge in the Buddha, as my teacher and guide. 
Life after life, I take refuge in the Dharma, as my truth and path. 
Life after life, I take refuge in the Sangha, as my friends and community. 
I have taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.

Guiding Teacher:
Make one prostration.  Join palms.
The Preceptor continues:
I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. 
Life after life, I take refuge in the Buddha, may all living beings be free from anger. 
Life after life, I take refuge in the Dharma, may all living beings be free from ignorance. 
Life after life, I take refuge in the Sangha, may all living beings be free from desire. 
I have taken refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.

Guiding Teacher:
Make one prostration.  Join palms.

The Guiding Teacher announces:
All good men and women, you have now completed the ceremony for taking refuge in the Triple Gem.  Your participation today indicates that your confidence is pure and true.  All those taking refuge in the Triple Gem should now sit down where you are. Those taking the Five Precepts should please kneel and join palms.

Proclaiming the Five Precepts (Precept Takers Only)
The Preceptor knocks on the table and says:
All good men and women!  You have already taken refuge in the Triple Gem and obtained the essence of the precepts as well as respect and confidence.  Next, I am going to elucidate the Five Precepts for you to uphold and observe.  All the sutras praise the virtues of the precepts due to the fact that every being of the three realms of existence (sense desire, form and formless) instinctively transmigrates amongst the six realms of rebirth: the realms of heavenly beings, human beings, asuras, animals, hungry spirits, and hells.  If one observes the three refuges, one will be reborn as a human being.  If one further upholds the five precepts, one will take rebirth in the realm of heavenly beings as one’s karmic retribution.  Otherwise, one will fall to the three realms of suffering.  When one or two precepts are observed, one can still be reborn as a human being with a life span dependent on how well the precepts are upheld.  I therefore ask you to determine for yourself how many precepts you are willing to observe before I can bestow the precepts on you.  Can you uphold the precepts of an Upasaka or Upasika?
Answer: Yes, I can uphold the Precepts.

The Preceptor says:
Since you can uphold the Precepts, follow my words and receive each of the precepts you are willing to observe.  State your name, (name).
First, “no killing” is a precept for an Upasaka or Upasika. Can you uphold it for the rest of your life?
Answer: Yes, I can.
Second, “no stealing” is a precept for an Upasaka or Upasika. Can you uphold it for the rest of your life?
Answer: Yes, I can.
Third, “no improper sexual conduct” is a precept for an Upasaka or Upasika. Can you uphold it for the rest of your life?
Answer: Yes, I can.
Fourth, “no lying” is a precept for an Upasaka or Upasika. Can you uphold it for the rest of your life?
Answer: Yes, I can.
Fifth, “no taking intoxicants” is a precept for an Upasaka or Upasika. Can you uphold it for the rest of your life?
Answer: Yes, I can.
Can you uphold each of the precepts you have affirmed above?
Answer: Yes, I can.

The Preceptor knocks on the table and proclaims:
Since you can uphold the precepts of an Upasaka or Upasika, you are eligible to put on the robe of repentance according to Buddhist etiquette.  This robe is for you to wear only during chanting or repentance services.  You are not allowed to put it on when you go outside.  If you go to a temple, you should carry it in a bag.  If you are at home, you should store it in a clean place.  Now that you know, can you act according to the teachings?
Answer:  Yes, we can do as instructed.

Conferment of the Robe
The Preceptor knocks on the table and says:
Since you can uphold your commitment, I shall ask the Guiding Teacher to present you with the robe, so that you may don it while chanting the following verse.

The Guiding Teacher proclaims:
Please stand and divide into two groups.

The Guiding Teachers pass the robes to the preceptees, as the following verse is chanted:

SHAN  ZAI  JIE  TUO  FU  ZUN  GUI  LI  CHAN  YI
Excellent is this robe of liberation, the noble robe of repentance and veneration.
WO  JIN  DING  DAI  SHOU  LI  FO  QIU  CHAN  HUI
I now put it on, and pay respect to the Buddha and show my repentance.
Continue chanting the above verse until all have donned their robes, then continue with:
NA  MO  BAO  TAN  HUA  PU  SA  MO  HE  SA
Homage to the Bodhisattva of precious sandalwood flowers.
( X3 each with prostration )

After everyone puts on the robe, the Guiding Teacher will proclaim:
Make three prostrations to the Preceptor.  Bow.  Kneel down.  Join palms.

Making Vows
The Preceptor knocks on the table and says:
All good men and women!  Listen carefully!  The Agama Sutras say there are good men and women who observe the precepts without making vows, who thus obtain very little merit.  Excellent results will only come to be when precepts are observed along with great vows.  When merit is cultivated without making vows, it is like a house built on sand.  It is also like pottery that cannot be used without being fired in a kiln.  Therefore, after bestowing the Refuges and the Five Precepts upon you, I shall teach you the proper way of making vows.  Please join your palms together, repeat after me, and sincerely make your vows in front of the Triple Gem of the Ten Directions.

The Preceptor will recite one sentence first for the preceptees to follow. 
I vow wholeheartedly:  May the merits of the Five Precepts prevent me from falling into the three realms of suffering and the eight conditions of not seeing the Buddha.  May I benefit the entire universe with the acquired merits and wish all living beings to develop their Bodhi mind.  From this day forward, I vow to refrain from all evil actions and practice all good deeds.  From this day forward, I vow to practice the Holy Eightfold Path, be resolved in the cultivation of the Four Sublime Mental States and be a witness for Humanistic Buddhism.

Guiding Teacher:
Make one prostration.

Transfer of Merits
CI  BEI  XI  SHE  PIAN  FA  JIE
May compassion, loving-kindness, sympathetic joy, and equanimity pervade the entire universe.
XI  FU  JIE  YUAN  LI  REN  TIAN
May all people and heavenly beings benefit from our blessings and good affinities.
CHAN  JING  JIE  HENG  PING  DENG  REN
May our diligent practice of Ch'an, Pure Land and observance of precepts help us achieve universal forbearance.
CAN  KUI  GAN  EN  DA  YUAN  XIN
May we undertake the Great Mahayana vows in humility and gratitude.

Farewell to the Preceptor

Guiding Teacher:
Show your gratitude to the preceptor with three prostrations.  Bow. 

End of Ceremony
The preceptees receive their certificates and file out of the Shrine hall

[Rory]

Amituofo!
  please forgive me for being so late getting back to you as I have been busy with getting measured for robes, calling interested people and putting up posters etc about the precept ceremony.
   This is so wonderfully helpful.  and I just wrote and gave links to my temple so those new to robes can learn all about the meaning etc. And now I can read and study and prepare myself for the ceremony. You are so kind and helpful!
 
with so much gratitude
Rory

[santamonicacj]

Do you know what the 5 precepts are?
Do not kill a living being
do not take what is not given
do not speak a lie
do not drink intoxicants
abstain from sexual misconduct
    or alternately
abstain from sexual intercourse


They are commitments. Do you intend on taking them?

[Rory]

Amituofo;
  thank you for the help. I actually took refuge and the 5 precepts at my former Tendai temple when I received tokudo, but it is always good to reflect on the importance of the precepts and to keep them every day, the best way we can.
 
Rory

[tktru]

Rory, just be a good upasaka for the benefit of all the best way you can! : )

[Rory]

thanks for the good advice. There are a lot of wonderful people at my temple, so I have good examples to learn from.
 
rory