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Precepts

The ritual of taking the Five Precepts is almost always accompanied by taking the Three Refuges. These two factors form the foundation of being a lay Buddhist.

The ceremony is conducted by a member of the sangha at the request of the laity. It begins by one of the lay people bowing three times (to the sangha) and then with hands in anjali reciting the traditional Pali request (see: PRECEPTS). There is then a series of chanted lines in Pali with responses. The ceremony can sometimes be preceded by the offering of a tray; usually of flowers, candles and incense. Occasionally a Buddha image might be offered and sometimes a length of robe material.

The Precepts and Refuges ceremony is probably the most common ritual seen in a Buddhist situation and will often precede most other rituals, ceremonies or celebrations. Perhaps for this reason it is relatively simple. Although brief and to the point the implications and scope for contemplating the principles involved in the refuges and precepts are considerable.

The member of sangha giving the precepts may use a fan. This is held before the face and is intended to de-emphasise the personality of the individual monk or nun. The idea is that in this way the precepts are given on a more symbolic, rather than personal, level and the connection is with the sangha as an ideal institution. This is probably the most common use of the fan.