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Worship in Buddhism

Ti Sarana : The Three Refuges

Buddhists believe that all human beings constantly seek safety, security and reassurance; they 'go for refuge' to such things as relationships, material possessions, identity with certain groups. Since all these things are liable to change and ending, Buddhists remind themselves that such things are ultimately unreliable and that real safety comes only from relying on the Three Refuges: the Buddha, the Dharma (his teaching) and the Sangha (the community of Buddhists, past and present, Enlightened and unenlightened). The threefold repetition is traditional and gives a poetic emphasis to this central statement of what is at the core of a Buddhist life..

Vandana : Salutation

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa

This translates as: Homage to Him (Namo Tassa), the Blessed One (Bhagavato), the Worthy One (Arahato), the Perfectly Enlightened One (Samma Sambuddhasa).

Ti Sarana : The Three Refuges

Buddham saranam gacchami - (To the Buddha for refuge I go)
Dhamman saranam gacchami - (To the Dharma for refuge I go)
Sangham saranam gacchami - (To the Sangha for refuge I go)

Dutiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami - (For the second time to the Buddha...)
Dutiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami - (For the second time to the Dharma...)
Dutiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami - (For the second time to the Sangha...)

Tatiyampi Buddham saranam gacchami - (For the third time to the Buddha...)
Tatiyampi Dhammam saranam gacchami - (For the third time to the Dharma...)
Tatiyampi Sangham saranam gacchami - (For the third time to the Sangha...)

Pancha Sila : The Five Precepts in Pali

Panatipata veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Adinnadana veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Musavada veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami
Surameriya veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami

The Five Precepts in English

  1. I undertake to abstain from taking life
  2. I undertake to abstain from taking the not-given
  3. I undertake to abstain from sexual misconduct
  4. I undertake to abstain from false speech
  5. I undertake to abstain from taking intoxicants/drink and drugs which cloud the mind

and their positive counterparts...

  1. With deeds of loving-kindness, I purify my body
  2. With open-handed generosity, I purify my body
  3. With stillness, simplicity and contentment, I purify my body
  4. With truthful communication, I purify my speech
  5. With mindfulness clear and radiant, I purify my mind