The Buddhist "Refuges" and "Precepts"

Traditionally one becomes a Buddhist by taking refuge and the precepts. It will vary from tradition to tradition. For most people they become a "proper" Buddhist when they take the precepts in front of their teachers. Some traditions will insist that the precepts be received at a special annual ceremony.

The three refuges are the Buddha (the historical Buddha, all Buddhas and the Buddha-Nature within all beings), the Dharma (the teachings of the historical Buddha, all scriptures and teachings; the Buddhist path) and the Sangha (the Buddhist community).

In Theravada Buddhism the three refuges are chanted three times in Pali:

 

Buddham Saranam Gacchami Dhammam Saranam Gacchami Sangham Saranam Gacchami Dutiampi Buddham Saranam Gacchami Dutiampi Dhammam Saranam Gacchami Dutiampi Sangham Saranam Gacchami Tatiyampi Buddham Saranam Gacchami Tatiyampi Dhammam Saranam Gacchami Tatiyampi Sangham Saranam Gacchami

I take refuge in the Buddha I take refuge in the Dharma I take refuge in the Sangha For the second time I take refuge in the Buddha For the second time I take refuge in the Dharma For the second time I take refuge in the Sangha For the third time I take refuge in the Buddha For the third time I take refuge in the Dharma For the third time I take refuge in the Sangha

The Precepts:-

In Theravada Buddhism taking the precepts involved reciting the following:

Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Kamesu veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Sura-meraya-majja-pamadatthana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami

I undertake to train myself to refrain from killing living beings
I undertake to train myself to refrain from taking that which is not given
I undertake to train myself to refrain from sexual misconduct
I undertake to train myself to refrain from false speach
I undertake to train myself to refrain from alcohol and drugs which impair mindfulness

[You will notice that these precepts a similar to the moral codes of other religions. But they are not commandments with which we judge others but guidelines which the individual agrees to follow of their own free will.]