Chanting:

Paying Homage to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, Taking Refuge and the Precepts:

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammā-sambuddhassa (3x)

Translation: Homage to Him, the Blessed One, the Perfected One, the Fully Self-Enlightened One.

Ti-Sarana
Buddham saranam gacchāmi.
Dhammam saranam gacchāmi.
Sangham saranam gacchāmi.
Dutiyampi Buddham…
Tatiyampi Buddham…

Translation: The Three Refuges

I go to the Buddha as my refuge.
I go to the Dhamma – [The Teachings,] as my refuge.
I go to the Sangha – [The Community,] as my refuge.
For the second time I go to the Buddha as my refuge…
For the third time I go to the Buddha as my Refuge…

Panca-silā Five Precepts and the Eight Precepts (attha-silā)
1. Pānātipātā veramanī sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi.

2. Adinnādānā veramanī sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi.
3. Abrahmacariyā veramanī sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi (celibate, monastic or on retreat). 3b. Kāmesu micchācārā veramani vikkhāpadam samādiyāmi. (Householder.)
4. Musāvādā veramanī sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi.
5. Surā-meraya-majja-pamādatthānā veramī sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi.

6. Vikāla-bhojanā veramanī sikkāpadam samādiyāmi.
7. Nacca gīta vādita visūkadassana mālāgandha vilepana dhārana mandana vibūsanatthānā veramanī sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi.
8. Uccāsayana mahāsayanā veramnī sikkhāpadam samādiyāmi.

Idaṁ me sīlaṁ magga-phala ñāṇassa paccayo hotu.

Teacher: Appamādena sampādetha. (Accomplish the training with mindfulness.)

Reply: Āma Bhante. (Yes, Bhante.)

Sādhu, sādhu, sādhu. (Wholesomely spoken, wholesomely spoken…, or well said, well…)

Translation: The Five Precepts/Eight Precepts

1. I undertake the training to abstain from harming any living being.
2. I undertake the training to abstain from taking things not freely given.
3. I undertake the training to abstain from sexual misconduct. (On retreat for everyone and for monastics all the time: I undertake the training rule to refrain from all sexual activity.)
4. I undertake the training to abstain from false speech, abusive speech, harsh speech and idle chatter.
5. I undertake the training to abstain from all types of intoxication that lead to (Any mind altering drug or activity.)
6. I undertake the training to refrain from taking food at improper times (after midday until dawn the following day). (This can be interpreted to mean not to overeat, eat frequently, eat for pleasure, eat mindlessly, and/or eat for beauty.)
7. I undertake the training to refrain from dancing, singing, music, shows and from the use of garlands, perfumes, cosmetics, adornments and ornaments. (This can be interpreted to mean to not distract yourself with entertainment and self-beautification.)
8. I undertake the training to refrain from using high and luxurious seats (or) beds. (This rule may be considered archaic for most of us.)

May this silā of mine be condition for attainment of path and fruition knowledge.

A useful forgiveness training chant:

      To those whom I may have caused harm, knowingly or unknowingly, through my thoughts, word and/or actions, I ask your forgiveness.

      To those who may have caused me harm, knowingly or unknowingly, through their thoughts, words and/or actions, I offer my forgiveness as best I am able.

     For any harm I may have caused myself, knowingly or unknowingly, through my thoughts, words and/or actions, I offer my forgiveness as best I am able.

     May I be mindful of my thoughts, words and actions so that I may not be the cause of further pain and suffering in this world.

     May the merit of these efforts help to ease the pain and suffering in this world. P. Moffet/et al

Food/meal chant:

I take this food not to beautify the body nor for sensual pleasure but to enable me to practice Buddha Sasana, so that existing disease may be cured and new disease not arise and so that I may be comfortable in the four bodily positions.

I vow to eat this food with appropriate mindfulness and gratitude.