Reflections & Recollections

The Eight Precepts

Pāṇātipātā vera꜓maṇī sikkhā꜓padaṃ sa꜓mādi꜕yāmi I undertake the precept to refrain from taking the life of any living creature. Adinnādānā vera꜓maṇī sikkhā꜓padaṃ sa꜓mādi꜕yāmi I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given. Abrahmacariyā vera꜓maṇī sikkhā꜓padaṃ sa꜓mādi꜕yāmi I undertake the precept to refrain from any intentional sexual activity. Musā꜓vādā vera꜓maṇī sikkhā꜓padaṃ sa꜓mādi꜕yāmi I undertake the precept to refrain from lying. Surāmeraya-majja-pamādaṭṭhā꜓nā vera꜓maṇī sikkhā꜓padaṃ sa꜓mādi꜕yāmi I undertake the precept to refrain from consuming intoxicating drink and drugs which lead to carelessness. Vikālabhojanā vera꜓maṇī sikkhā꜓padaṃ sa꜓mādi꜕yāmi. I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at inappropriate times. Nacca-gīta-vādita-visūkada꜓ssanā mālā-gandha-vilepana-dhāraṇa-maṇḍana-vibhūsanaṭṭhā꜓nā vera꜓maṇī sikkhā꜓padaṃ sa꜓mādi꜕yāmi. I undertake the precept to refrain from entertainment, beautification, and adornment. Uccāsayana-mahā꜓sayanā vera꜓maṇī sikkhā꜓padaṃ sa꜓mādi꜕yāmi. I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place. [ Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā꜓padāni sa꜓mādi꜕yāmi ] Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā꜓padāni sa꜓mādi꜕yāmi Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā꜓padāni sa꜓mādi꜕yāmi Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā꜓padāni sa꜓mādi꜕yāmi I undertake these Eight Precepts. I undertake these Eight Precepts. I undertake these Eight Precepts. [ Imāni aṭṭha sikkhā꜓padāni Sī꜓lena suga꜕tiṃ yanti Sī꜓lena bhoga꜕sa꜓mpadā Sī꜓lena nibbu꜕tiṃ yanti Tasmā꜓ sī꜓laṃ viso꜓dhaye ] These are the Eight Precepts; virtue is the source of happiness, virtue is the source of true wealth, virtue is the source of peacefulness — Therefore let virtue be purified. Sādhu, sādhu, sādhu.