1. The Opening Ceremony

(A senior monk first establishes the lay people
in the refuges and virtuous practices:)

Namo tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa x 3
Reverence to him, the Fortunate One, the Worthy One, the Perfect Sambuddha

Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
I go to the Buddha for refuge

Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
I go to the Dhamma for refuge

Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
I go to the Saṅgha for refuge

Dutiyam-pi Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
For a second time I go to the Buddha for refuge

Dutiyam-pi Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
For a second time I go to the Dhamma for refuge

Dutiyam-pi Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
For a second time I go to the Saṅgha for refuge

Tatiyam-pi Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
For a third time I go to the Buddha for refuge

Tatiyam-pi Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
For a third time I go to the Dhamma for refuge

Tatiyam-pi Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
For a third time I go to the Saṅgha for refuge

Pāṇātipātā veramaṇīsikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi [01]
I undertake the training rule of refraining from killing living creatures

Adinnādānā veramaṇīsikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi [02]
I undertake the training rule of refraining from taking what has not been given

Kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇīsikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi [03]
I undertake the training rule of refraining from sexual misconduct

Musāvādā veramaṇīsikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi [04]
I undertake the training rule of refraining from false speech

Surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇīsikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi [05]
I undertake the training rule of refraining from liquor, wines, or intoxicants which cause heedlessness.

(Then the leading monk encourages the laypeople with a teaching appropriate
to the occasion, after which the leading layman requests the recital:)

Vipattipaṭibāhāya, sabbasampattisiddhiyā,
For the warding off of misfortune, for the accomplishment of all good fortune,

sabbadukkhavināsāya: parittaṁ brūtha maṅgalaṁ.
for the destruction of all suffering: please chant the auspicious safeguard.

Vipattipaṭibāhāya, sabbasampattisiddhiyā,
For the warding off of misfortune, for the accomplishment of all good fortune,

sabbabhayavināsāya: parittaṁ brūtha maṅgalaṁ.
for the destruction of all fear: please chant the auspicious safeguard.

Vipattipaṭibāhāya, sabbasampattisiddhiyā,
For the warding off of misfortune, for the accomplishment of all good fortune,

sabbarogavināsāya: parittaṁ brūtha maṅgalaṁ.
for the destruction of all disease: please chant the auspicious safeguard.

(The chanting begins with an invitation to the gods
to attend the ceremony and listen to the recital:)

Samantā cakkavāḷesu atrāgacchantu devatā
May the gods from all over the universe assemble here

saddhammaṁ Munirājassa suṇantu saggamokkhadaṁ:
and listen to the King of the Sage’s true Dhamma about heaven and release:

Parittassavaṇakālo ayaṁ bhadantā! Sometimes recited as: Dhammassavaṇakālo ayaṁ bhadantā! or Dhammaparittassavaṇakālo ayaṁ bhadantā!
Reverend Sirs, this is the time for hearing the safeguard!

Parittassavaṇakālo ayaṁ bhadantā!
Reverend Sirs, this is the time for hearing the safeguard!