Anagārika ordination

The anagārika(s)-to-be approach the preceptor on their knees, stop about six feet away,
set the tray of white cloth requisites on the left side and bow together 3 times. Offer the
tray. The following stanzas are then chanted, in both Pāli and English;

Sambādho gharāvāso rajo-patho,

Abbhokāso pabbajjā.
Na idaṁ sukaraṁ agāraṁ ajjhāvasatā
Ekanta paripuṇṇaṁ, ekanta parisuddhaṁ
Saṁkha-likhitaṁ
Brahmacariyaṁ carituṁ.
Yaṁ nūnāhaṁ kesa-massuṁ ohāretvā
Kāsāyāni vatthāni acchādetvā
Agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajeyyaṁ.

“The household life is cramped and dusty, the homeless life is free as air. It is not
easy, living the household life, to live the fully-perfected holy life, purified and
polished like a conch shell. Suppose I were to shave off my hair and beard, don the
robes of a Buddhist monastic, and go forth from the household life into
homelessness.”

The jacket, pants, robe, sitting cloth for each anagārika are handed over to the
anagārika(s)-to-be by the preceptor. The anagārika(s)-to-be leave to put on their robes
assisted by one or two monastics. When ready, they return, approach the preceptor
kneeling, holding a tray with candles, incense, flowers and, if any, other offerings. About
six feet away from the preceptor, stop, put the tray down, bow together thrice and present
the tray. Then while kneeling, with hands in añjali, and chant together.

Mayaṁ (several ordaining) /Ahaṁ (one ordaining) bhante tisaraṇena saha aṭṭha sīlāni
yācāma (several ordaining)/ yācāmi (one ordaining)
Dutiyampi mayaṁ /ahaṁ bhante …
Tatiyampi mayaṁ /ahaṁ bhante …

(Repeat, after the preceptor has chanted three times:)

Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa

(Repeat, after the preceptor, line by line:)

Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

Dutiyampi Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

Dutiyampi Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Dutiyampi Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

Tatiyampi Buddhaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

Tatiyampi Dhammaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi
Tatiyampi Saṅghaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi

Preceptor: Tisaraṇa-gamanaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ

Anagarika(s)-to-be: Āma bhante

Then repeat after the preceptor, line by line:

1. Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi.

I undertake the precept to refrain from taking the life of any living creature.
2. Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
3. Abrahmacariyā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the precept to refrain from any kind of sexual activity.
4. Musāvādā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the precept to refrain from false and harmful speech.
5. Surāmeraya-majja-pamādaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the precept to refrain from consuming intoxicating drink and drugs which
lead to carelessness.
6. Vikālabhojanā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at inappropriate times.
7. Nacca-gīta-vādita-visūkadassanā-mālā-gandha-vilepana-dhāraṇa- maṇḍana-
vibhūsanaṭṭhānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the precept to refrain from entertainment, beautification, and adornment.
8. Uccāsayana-mahāsayanā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṁ samādiyāmi.
I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.

Preceptor: Imāni aṭṭha sikkhāpadāni samādiyāmi

Anagārika(s)-to-be: Imāni aṭṭha sikkhāpadāni samādiyāmi

Imāni aṭṭha sikkhāpadāni samādiyāmi
Imāni aṭṭha sikkhāpadāni samādiyāmi

Preceptor: Sīlena sugatiṁ yanti

Sīlena bhogasampadā
Sīlena nibbutiṁ yanti
Tasmā sīlaṁ visodhaye
Anagārika(s)-to-be: Sādhu bhante (Raising your hands in añjali towards the forehead)

(Bow three times.)

Continue kneeling and prepare to take dependence on the teacher:

Anagārika(s)-to-be:
Ācariyo me bhante hohi,
Āyasmato nissāya vacchāmi. (×3)
(Venerable sir, may you be my teacher.
I shall stay dependent on the Venerable.)

The preceptor or ācariyas: opāyikaṁ (It is suitable.)

Anagārika(s)-to-be: Sādhu bhante

The preceptor or ācariyas: patirūpaṁ (It is proper.)

Anagārika(s)-to-be: Sādhu bhante

The preceptor or ācariyas: Pāsādikena sampādehi (You should endeavour to conduct

yourself in a good manner.)
Anagārika(s)-to-be: Sādhu bhante.
Ajjatagge dāni thero mayhaṁ bhāro,
Ahampi therassa bhāro. (×3)
(It is good, venerable sir. From this day onwards the
Thera will be my burden and I shall be the burden
of the Thera.)

(Bow three times.)