Steps to Talking Sila

There are to ways of talking Pancasila or the Five Precepts. First,you take the precepts that are prescribed for each Sila. This method can be used wherever and whenever there is no monk. Second, you sit respectfully before a monk. Then you must pay respect to him with folded palms and request him to give you Sila as follows:

MAYAM BHANTE, VISUM VISUM RAKKHANATTHAYA,

Venerable Sir, we seek from you for careful observance

TISARANENA SAHA PANCA SILANI YACAMA.

The Five precepts along with the Trible Gems.

DUTIYAMPI, MAYAM BHANTE, VISUM VISUM RAKKHANATTHAYA,

For the second time, Venerable Sir, we seek from you for careful observance

TISARANENA SAHA PANCA SILANI YACAMA.

The Five precepts along with the Trible Gems.

TATIYAMPI, MAYAM BHANTE, VISUM VISUM RAKKHANATTHAYA,

For the second time, Venerable Sir, we seek from you for careful observance

TISARANENA SAHA PANCA SILANI YACAMA.

The Five precepts along with the Triple Gems.

Repeating after him, the monk will say the following passage three time:

NAMO TASSA BHAGAVATO ARAHATO SAMMASAMBUDDHASSA

Homage to the Blessed One,the Exalted One, the perfectly Self Enlightened One.

Again you repeat after him the following passage on the acceptance of the Triple Gems as the highest refuge:

BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

I go to the Buddha for refuge.

DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

I go to the Dhamma for refuge.

SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

I go to the Sangha for refuge.

DUTIYAMPI BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

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

DUTIYAMPI DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

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

DUTIYAMPI SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

For the second time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

TATIYAMPI BUDDHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

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

TATIYAMPI DHAMMAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

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

TATIYAMPI SANGHAM SARANAM GACCHAMI

For the third time, I go to the Sangha for refuge.

Completing the above passage, the monk concludes:

TISARANAGAMANAM NITTHITAM

The going for the Triple Gems is complete.

Then you respond thus:

AMA BHANTE

So it is, Venerable Sir.

Now comes the most important part. You must attentively repeat each Sila after the monk,one by one,as follows:

1.PANATIPATA,VERAMANI,SIKKHA-PADAM,SAMADIYAMI.

I undertake the precept to abstain from killing and harming living beings.

2.ADINNADANA,VERAMANI,SIKKHA-PADAM,SAMADIYAMI.

I undertake the precept to abstain from stealing.

3.KAMESU,MICCHACARA,VERAMANI,SIKKHA-PADAM,SAMADIYAMI.

I undertake the precept to abstain from adultery and sexual mis condact.

4.MUSAVADA,VERAMANI,SIKKHA-PADAM,SAMADIYAMI.

I undertake the precept to abstain from lying and false speech.

5.SURAMERAYA-MAJJA-PAMA-DATTHANA,VERAMANI,SIKKHA-PADAM,SAMADIYAMI.

I undertake the precept to abstain from intoxicating drinks and harm fuldrugs.

Having finished Pancasila, the monk concludes in Pali. Then you say: 

SADHU BHANTE three times (meaning “Very well,Sir”) and prostrate before him three times. The steps of talking Sila are now complete. Keep and mind that the more you can observe Sila, the more happy and feaceful you will be.