The Five Precepts
Leader: The Five Precepts are the basis for a happy life. They have the capacity to protect life and to make it beautiful and worth living.
They are also the door that opens to enlightenment and liberation. Please listen to each precept, and answer, “Yes” silently every time you
see that you have made the effort to study, practice and observe it.
Leader: The First Precept – Kindness and Compassion: I strive to practice non-killing and non-harming.
All: Aware of the suffering caused by the destruction of life, I strive to cultivate compassion and learn ways to protect the lives of people
and all living beings. I am determined not to kill or harm others, not to let others kill or harm others, and not to condone any act of harm
in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.
Leader: This is the first of the Five Precepts. Have we each made the effort to study and practice it during the past month? (silent reply)
1-2 minute meditation, ending with the bell.
Leader: The Second Precept – Generosity and Non-Attachment: I strive to practice taking only what is freely given.
All: Aware of the suffering caused by exploitation, social injustice, stealing and oppression, I strive to cultivate loving kindness and learn
ways to work for the well-being of all living beings. I strive to practice generosity by sharing my time, energy and material resources
with those who are in real need. I am determined not to steal and not to possess anything that should belong to others. I will respect the
property of others, and I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on earth.
Leader: This is the second of the Five Precepts. Have we each made an effort to study and practice it during the past month? (silent reply)
1-2 minute meditation, ending with the bell.
Leader: The Third Precept – Restraint: I strive to practice responsible sexual conduct.
All: Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I strive to cultivate responsibility and learn ways to protect the safety and
integrity of individuals, couples, families and society. I am determined not to engage in sexual relations that cause harm to others. I will
do everything in my power to protect others from sexual abuse.
Leader: This is the third of the Five Precepts. Have we each made the effort to study and practice it during the past month? (silent reply)
1-2 minute meditation, ending with the bell.
Leader: The Fourth Precept – Honesty and Truthfulness: I strive to practice speaking truthfully.
All: Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I strive to cultivate loving speech and deep
listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or
suffering, I strive to learn to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy and hope. I am determined not to spread news
that I do not know to be certain and not to criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can
cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the community to break. I will make every effort to reconcile and resolve all
conflicts, however small.
Leader: The is the fourth of the Five Precepts. Have we each made the effort to study and practice it during the past month? (silent reply)
1-2 minute meditation, ending with the bell.
Leader: The Fifth Precept – Health and Mindfulness: I strive to protect my mental health through mindful consumption and to
avoid intoxicants.
All: Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful consumption, I strive to cultivate good health, both physical and mental, for myself and
others by practicing mindful eating, drinking, and consuming. In order to safeguard my mind and cultivate awareness and clarity of mind,
I strive to ingest items to preserve peace, well-being and joy in my body, in my consciousness, and in the collective body and
consciousness of my community. I am determined not to use any items that contain toxins, such as may be found in certain TV programs,
magazines, books, films and conversations. I will work to transform violence, fear, anger and confusion in myself and in society by
practicing Dharma, for myself and for society. I understand that practicing Dharma is crucial for self-transformation and for the
transformation of society.
Leader: This is the fifth of the Five Precepts. Have we each made an effort to study and practice it during the past month? (silent reply)
1-2 minute meditation, ending with the bell.
Leader: We have recited the Five Precepts, the foundation of happiness for the individual, the family, and society. We should recite them
regularly so our study and practice of the precepts can deepen within us day by day. Hearing the bell, please bow three times to the Three
Treasures to show your gratitude. Bell (bow in silence to the Buddha). Bell (bow in silence to the Dharma). Bell (bow in silence to the
Sangha).
October, 2008
Folsom Pathways Sangha Service
1. Upon entering chapel, bow at altar, offer incense (when available), take a seat either on cushions
(zafus) or in chairs. Three bells ring. Silent settling in.
(Leader) Welcome. Let us begin Buddhist meditation service and bow in reverence to the Three Treasures: the
Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. (All together bow once).
2. The Three Treasures
(Leader) Fortunate it is to be born into human life. Now we are living it. Rare is it to encounter the Teaching of
the Buddha. Now we hear it. If we do not have Faith and seek the Truth of the Dharma in this life, in what life
shall we find it? Let us reverently take refuge in the Three Treasures of the Truth.
(All, repeat three times)
I take refuge in the Buddha
I take refuge in the Dharma
I take refuge in the Sangha
3. The Four Noble Truths (All)
I understand there is suffering in life.
I understand there are causes for all suffering.
I understand there is a final state of no suffering.
I understand there are paths to overcome suffering and the way to overcome suffering is by following the
Noble Eightfold Path.
4. The Noble Eightfold Path (said in turn by Sangha members going around the circle or All together)
I shall see things as they are. (Right view)
I shall be conscious of my intentions. (Right Intention)
I shall speak truthfully and with compassion. (Right Speech)
I shall act unselfishly. (Right Conduct)
I shall live honestly. (Right Livelihood)
I shall follow the teaching of the Buddha with patience. (Right Effort)
I shall cultivate awareness in the present moment. (Right Mindfulness)
I shall strengthen mindfulness through meditation. (Right Concentration)
5. (Recitation of Five Precepts may be added)
6. (As possible, Mindful Movement guidance may precede the meditation practice
with a brief talk or guidance on meditation.)
Sitting Meditation (15-30 minutes)
6. Dharma discussion. (Special Dharma topics are discussed either as a whole
group or in practice circles, relative to the number of volunteers to lead the groups. This is a time to
listen, ask questions and share Dharma).
7. Closing discussion. (If reconvening from practice circles, share reflections with All. Make
announcements, requests/plans for future topics of discussion, and general questions).
8. Ending meditation and silent dedication of merit (good wishes for others).
Three Bells ring. (gratitude for Three Treasures: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha)
October, 2008
October, 2008