Lay Ordination Ceremony

(Everyone reads together – underlined words read only by the Roshi)

ALL MY ANCIENT

Twisted karma.

From beginningless greed, hate and delusion

Born of body, speech and mind, I now fully avow.

SENTIENT BEINGS are numberless:

I vow to liberate them.

Desires are inexhaustible:

I vow to put an end to them.

The Dharmas are boundless:

I vow to master them.

The Buddha’s way is unsurpassable:

I vow to become it.

AWAKEN

To the universal Buddha! AWAKEN

To the universal Dharma! AWAKEN

To the universal Sangha!

I take refuge in the Buddha,

I take refuge in the Dharma,

I take refuge in the sangha.

I take refuge in the Buddha, honorable above all.

I take refuge in the Dharma, honorable for its freedom from attachment.

I take refuge in the Sangha, honorable for its harmony.

I have taken refuge in the Buddha.

I have taken refuge in the Dharma.

I have taken refuge in the sangha.

Commit no evil, Do every good, Purify your own mind.

From the most clear, profound and subtle mind, to not kill life.
From the most clear, profound and subtle mind, to not consider anything as one’s own.
From the most clear, profound and subtle mind, associations between a man and a woman should be open, pure and bright.
From the most clear, profound and subtle mind, true words and true mind are the base of attaining the way.
From the most clear, profound and subtle mind, do not delude the true self.
From the most clear, profound and subtle mind, do not point out other’s faults and mistakes.
From the most clear, profound and subtle mind, do not praise yourself and degrade others.
From the most clear, profound and subtle mind, do not be possessive with the Dharma treasures.
From the most clear, profound and subtle mind, do not indulge in anger
From the most clear, profound and subtle mind, do not dishonor the Buddha, the Dharma or the Sangha.