Samanerī Pabbajjā at Aranya Bodhi
(Pavatt inī/Precept or)
Pr o c e d u r e
Candidate comes in with
robes tray across her
arms and hands in añjali.
She stops about 2 metres
from the pavattinī. While
standing she asks for
forgiveness:
Kneel, put robes tray
down on the right, bow 3
times, stand up, begin
request for pabbajjā.
Kneel, pick up robes tray
as before, enter Sangha
on knees, set down robes
tray, and say:
Candidate offers the robes
to the pavattinī, bows 3
times and says:
1
Tr a n s l a t i on
Saddh ivih ārin ī/ C andidate
Okāsa vandāmi Ayye.
With permission, I pay
Sabbaṃ aparādhaṃ respects, Ayye. Please forgive
khamatha me Ayye. me for all my faults, Ayye.
(Khamāmi.) (I forgive.)
Mayā kataṃ puññaṃ May the venerable rejoice in
sāminiyā anumoditabbaṃ, the merit made by me.
(Anumodāmi.) (I rejoice.)
Sāminiyā kataṃ puññaṃ May the merit made by the
mayhaṃ dātabbaṃ. venerable be given to me.
(I give.)
(Dadāmi.)
Good, good, I rejoice!
Sādhu! Sādhu! Anumodāmi.
Okāsa kāruññam katvā, Ayye, out of compassion, give
pabbajjaṃ detha me Ayye. me ordination.
Ahaṃ Ayye,
pabbajjaṃ yācāmi Ayye, I request the ordination.
Dutiyampi aha ṃ Ayye A second time, Ayye, I request
pabbajja ṃ yācāmi the ordination. A third time,
Tatiyampi ahaṃ Ayye Ayye, I request the ordination.
pabbajja ṃ yācāmi .
Sabba-dukkha-nissaraṇa Ayye, accepting this saffron
nibbāna-sacchikaran'atthāya robe please cause me to go
imaṃ kāsāvaṃ gahetvā forth, for me to practice the
pabbājetha maṃ Ayye, holy life to escape from all
suffering and to realize
anukampaṃ upādāya. Nibbana.
Sabba-dukkha-nissaraṅa Ayye, giving me this saffron
nibbāna-sacchikaranatthāya robe, please cause me to go
etaṃ kāsāvaṃ datvā forth, for me to practice the
pabbājetha maṃ Ayye holy life to escape from all
anukampaṃ upādāya suffering and realize Nibbana.
 (Pavatt inī/Precept or)
Pr o c e d u r e Tr a n s l a t i on
Saddh ivih ārin ī/ C andidate

The pavattinī gives a

short talk. Handing over
the set of robes to the
candidate, the preceptor (kesā, lomā, nakhā, dantā, taco)
ties one end of the belt kesā, lomā, nakhā, dantā, taco Hair on the head, hair on the
around the neck of the (taco, dantā, nakhā, lomā, kesā) body, nails, teeth, skin
candidate and holds the taco, dantā, nakhā, lomā, kesā
other end of the belt.
Candidate repeats word-
by-word.
The pavattinī puts the paṭisankhā yoniso
folded uttarasanga over cīvaraṃ paṭisevāmi Reflecting carefully I use this
the candidate's shoulder. yāvad-eva sītassa paṭighātāya robe: only to ward off cold, to
Candidate goes outside, unhassa paṭighātāya ward off heat, to ward off the
removes the white clothes daṃsa makasa vātātapasiriṃsapa- touch of gadflies, mosquitoes,
and puts on robes,
samphassānaṃ paṭighātāya wind, sun and reptiles, only for
repeating continuously: the purpose of modesty.
yāvad-eva hirikopīna
paṭicchādanatthaṃ.
Candidate comes back Okāsa vandāmi, Ayye.
with an offering tray. With permission, I pay
Sabbaṃ aparādhaṃ respects, Ayye. Please forgive
Standing about 2 meters khamatha me, Ayye. me for all my faults, Ayye.
away, asks for forgiveness (Khamāmi.)
(I forgive.)
Mayā kataṃ puññaṃ May the venerable rejoice in
sāminiyā anumoditabbaṃ. the merit made by me.
(Anumodāmi.) (I rejoice.)
Sāminiyā kataṃ puññaṃ May the merit made by the
mayhaṃ dātabbaṃ. venerable be given to me.
(I give.)
(Dadāmi.)
Good, good, I rejoice!
Sādhu! Sādhu! Anumodāmi.
Still standing, Okāsa, kāruññaṃ katvā, With permission, Ayye, out of
request the refuges tisaraṅena saha sīlāni compassion, administer the 3
and precepts: detha me Ayye. refuges and precepts.

Kneel, offer tray, Ahaṃ Ayye saraṅasīlam yācāmi

bow 3 times Dutiyampi ahaṃ Ayye, saraṅasīlam Ayye, I request the refuges and
and continue. precepts. A second time, Ayye
yācāmi … A third time, Ayye, I request
Tatiyampi ahaṃ Ayye, saraṅasīlam the refuges and precepts
yācāmi

2
 (Pavatt inī/Precept or)
Pr o c e d u r e
Saddh ivih ārin ī/ C andidate
Candidate repeats after Namo tassa bhagavato arahato
the pavattinī. sammāsambuddhassa (3x)
Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gaccāmi.
Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gaccāmi. I go to the Buddha as a refuge,
I go to the Dhamma as a
Sanghaṃ saraṇaṃ gaccāmi. refuge, I go to the Sangha as a
Dutiyampi …
Tatiyampi …
(Tisaraṇa-gammanaṃ niṭṭhitaṃ)
Okāsa āma Ayye
Candidate repeats after Pānātipata veramaṇī
the pavattinī.
Adinnādānā veramaṇī
Abrahmacariyā veramaṇī
Musāvādā veramaṇī
Surā-meraya-majja-pamādaṭṭhānā
veramaṇī
Vikāla-bhojanā veramaṇī
Nacca-gīta-vādita-visūka-dassanā
veramaṇī
Mālā-gandha-vilepana-dhārana-
mandana-vibhūsanatthānā veramaṇī
Uccā-sayana-mahā-sayanā veramaṇī
Jātarūpa-rajata-patigghanā veramaṇī
Pavattinī: (Imāni dasa sikkhāpadāni.)
Imāni dasa sikkhāpadāni
samādiyāmi. (3x)
Candidate bows 3 times to
Pavattinī and goes back
on knees.
3
Tr a n s l a t i on
Homage to the Sublime One,
the Worthy One, the Fully
Enlightened One.
refuge.
(The 3 refuges are complete.)
With permission, yes, Ayye.
To abstain from taking life ...
from stealing ... from false
speech ... from drinks and
drugs causing heedlesness ...
from eating at improper times
... from dancing, singing, music
and shows ... from wearing
garlands, using perfumes, and
beautifying with cosmetics ...
from the use of high and large
seats and beds ... from
accepting gold and silver
(money).
(These are the 10 training
rules.) I undertake these 10
training rules.
Here the Going-Forth ceremony ends. The Anagarikā has become Samaṇerī. Following this she will
take dependence upon her Ācarinī.
Procedure for Nissaya, Dependence
Procedure (Ācarinī/Teacher) Samaṇerī Translation
Samaṇerī walks in Okāsa vandāmi Ayye. With permission, I pay
carrying offering tray and Sabbaṃ aparādhaṃ respects, Ayye. For all my
stops about 2 metres from khamatha me Ayye. faults, please forgive me, Ayye.
ācarinī. While standing, (Khamāmi.) (I forgive.) May the venerable
ask for forgiveness. rejoice in the merit made by
Mayā kataṃ puññaṃ
me. (I rejoice.) May the merit
sāminiyā anumoditabbaṃ, made by the venerable be
(Anumodāmi.) given to me. (I give.) Good,
Sāminiyā kataṃ puññaṃ good, I rejoice!
mayhaṃ dātabbaṃ.
(Dadāmi.)
Sādhu! Sādhu! Anumodāmi.
Kneels, enters sangha on Okāsa, kāruññaṃ katvā, With permission, out of
knees, places the tray on nissayaṃ detha me Ayye. compassion, please grant me
right side, bows thrice dependence, Ayye.
and requests dependence.
Sāmaṇerī offers tray to Ahaṃ Ayye, Ayye,
ācarinī, bows thrice and nissayaṃ yācāmi. I request dependence.
then continues asking for Dutiyam’pi ahaṃ Ayye, A second time, Ayye, I request
dependence: nissayaṃ yācāmi. dependence.
A third time, Ayye, I request
Tatiyam’pi ahaṃ Ayye,
dependence.
nissayaṃ yācāmi.
Ācarinī me, Ayye, hohi. (×3) May you be my teacher, Ayye.
Ācarinī consents: (Opāyikaṃ.) (It is suitable.)
Okāsa sampaṭicchāmi. With permission, I agree.
(Paṭirūpaṃ.) (It is proper.)
Okāsa sampaṭicchāmi. With permission, I agree.
(Strive on with faith.)
(Pāsādikena sampādehi.)
I agree.
Sampaṭicchāmi.
Samaṇerī acknowledges Ajjataggedāni ācarinī mayhaṃ bhāro, From today, the Teacher is my
dependence. ahampi ācariniyā bhāro. (×3) responsibility, and I am the
Teacher’s responsibility.
Bow thrice.

4
Ācarinī and Samaṇerī:
1. Vevaṇṇiy’amhi ajjhupagato’ti pabbajitena
abhiṇhaṃ paccavekkhitabbaṃ.
2. Parapaṭibaddhā me jīvikā’ti pabbajitena
abhiṇhaṃ paccavekkhitabbaṃ.
3. Añño me ākappo karaṇīyo’ti pabbajitena
abhiṇhaṃ paccavekkhitabbaṃ.
4. Kacci nu kho me attā sīlato na upavadatī’ti
pabbajitena abhiṇhaṃ paccavekkhitabbaṃ.
5. Kacci nu kho maṃ anuvicca viññū
sabrahmacārī sīlato na upavadantī’ti pabbajitena 5. “Do my discerning colleagues in the holy
abhiṇhaṃ paccavekkhitabbaṃ.
6. Sabbehi me piyehi manāpehi nānā‧bhāvo
vinā‧bhāvo’ti pabbajitena abhiṇhaṃ
paccavekkhitabbaṃ.
7. Kammassako’mhi kamma‧dāyādo kamma‧yoni 7. “I am the owner of my kamma, heir to my
kamma‧bandhu kamma‧ paṭisaraṇo, yaṃ
kammaṃ karissāmi kalyāṇaṃ vā pāpakaṃ vā
tassa dāyādo bhavissāmī’ti pabbajitena
abhiṇhaṃ paccavekkhitabbaṃ.
8. Kathaṃ bhūtassa me rattin‧divā vītipatantī’ti
pabbajitena abhiṇhaṃ paccavekkhitabbaṃ.
9. Kacci nu kho’haṃ suññāgāre abhiramāmī’ti
pabbajitena abhiṇhaṃ paccavekkhitabbaṃ.
10. Atthi nu kho me uttari‧manussa‧dhammā
alam ariya‧ñāṇa‧dassana‧viseso adhigato so’haṃ
pacchime kāle sabrahmacārīhi puṭṭho na maṅku
bhavissāmī’ti pabbajitena abhiṇhaṃ
paccavekkhitabbaṃ.
5
1. “I am now changed into a different mode
of life [from that of a lay-person],” should be
reflected upon always by one who has gone
forth.
2. “My life depends on others” ...
3. “I must now behave in a different
manner” ...
“Does my mind upbraid me regarding the
state of my virtue?” ...
life, having tested me, upbraid me regarding
the state of my virtue?” ...
6. “All that is mine, dear and delightful, will
change and vanish” ...
kamma, born of my kamma, related to my
kamma, abide supported by my kamma.
Whatever kamma I shall do, whether good or
evil, of that I shall be the heir” ...
8. “How do I spend my nights and days?” ...
9. “Do I take delight in solitude?” ...
10. “Have I gained superhuman knowledge
which can be specially known to noble ones,
so that later when I am questioned by fellow
bhikkhus I will not be embarrassed?” should
be reflected upon always by one who has gone
forth.
The ceremony concludes with a blessing from the sangha. All:
Iti pi so Bhagavā arahaṃ
sammā‧sambuddho
vijjā‧caraṇa‧sampanno sugato lokavidū
anuttaro purisa‧damma‧sārathi
satthā deva‧manussānaṃ
buddho bhagavā’ti.
Svākkhāto Bhagavatā Dhammo
sandiṭṭhiko akāliko ehipassiko
opanayiko paccattaṃ veditabbo
viññūhīti.
Supaṭipanno Bhagavato sāvaka‧saṅgho,
uju‧paṭipanno Bhagavato sāvaka‧saṅgho, The order of the Sublime One’s disciples is practicing
ñāya‧paṭipanno Bhagavato
sāvaka‧saṅgho, sāmīci‧paṭipanno
Bhagavato sāvaka‧saṅgho, yadidaṃ
cattāri purisa‧yugāni
aṭṭha purisa‧ puggalā.
Esa Bhagavato sāvaka‧saṅgho
āhuneyyo pāhuneyyo
dakkhiṇeyyo añjalikaraṇīyo
anuttaraṃ puññakkhettaṃ lokassā’ti
6
Such indeed is the Sublime One, worthy, perfectly
enlightened, perfect in true knowledge and conduct,
well-gone, knower of the worlds, supreme trainer of
persons to be tamed, teacher of gods and humans,
enlightened and exalted.
Well expounded is the Dhamma by the Sublime
One, directly visible, unaffected by time, calling one
to come and see, leading onwards, to be realized by
the wise.
well; the order of the Sublime One’s disciples is of
upright conduct; the order of the Sublime One’s
disciples has entered the right path; the order of the
Sublime One’s disciples is practicing correctly; that
is, the four pairs of persons, the eight kinds of
individuals. This order of the Sublime One’s disciples
is worthy of offerings and hospitality, worthy of gifts
and salutation, supreme field of merit for the world.
Mahākāruṇiko nātho For the welfare of all living beings
Hitāya sabba‧pāṇinaṃ, The great compassionate protector
Pūretvā pāramī sabbā Fulfilled all the perfections,
Patto sambodhim uttamaṃ. And attained supreme enlightenment.
Etena saccavajjena By the power of this truth
Hotu te jaya‧maṅgalaṃ. May joyous victory be yours.
Jayanto bodhiyā mūle Victorious beneath the Bodhi tree
Sakyānaṃ nandi‧vaḍḍhano. He brought delight to the Sakya clan.
Evaṃ tvaṃ vijayo hohi May you too triumph in such a way,
Jayassu jaya‧maṅgale. May you achieve joyous victory.
Aparājita-pallaṅke, At the head of the lotus leaf of the world
Sīse paṭhavi-pokkhare; On the undefeated seat
Abhiseke sabba-buddhānaṃ, Consecrated by all the Buddhas
Aggappatto pamodati. He rejoiced in the utmost attainment.

Sunakkhattaṃ sumaṅgalaṃ, A lucky star it is, a lucky blessing,

Supabhātaṃ suhuṭṭhitaṃ; A lucky dawn, a lucky sacrifice
Sukhaṇo sumuhutto ca, a lucky instant, a lucky moment,
Suyiṭṭhaṃ brahma-cārisu. a lucky offering:
A rightful bodily act
Padakkhiṇaṃ kāya-kammaṃ,
A rightful verbal act,
Vācā-kammaṃ padakkhiṇaṃ;
A rightful mental act,
Padakkhiṇaṃ mano-kammaṃ,
Your rightful intentions,
Paṇidhi te padakkhiṇā.
Doing these rightful things,
Padakkhiṇāni katvāna,
Your rightful aims are achieved.
Labhant’atthe padakkhiṇe.
May he gain his aims, be happy
So attha-laddho sukhito, and flourish in the Buddha’s teachings.
Viruḷho buddha-sāsane; May you, together with all you relatives,
Arogo sukhito hohi, be happy and free from disease.
Saha sabbehi ñātibhi.
May she gain her aims, be happy
Sā attha-laddhā sukhitā, and flourish in the Buddha’s teachings.
Viruḷhā buddha-sāsane; May you, together with all you relatives,
Arogā sukhitā hohi, be happy and free from disease.
Saha sabbehi ñātibhi.
May they gain their aims, be happy
Tā attha-laddhā sukhitā, and flourish in the Buddha’s teachings.
Viruḷhā buddha-sāsane; May you, together with all you relatives,
Arogā sukhitā hotha, be happy and free from disease.
Saha sabbehi ñātibhi.

7
Sakkatvā Buddha‧ratanaṃ I revere the jewel of the Buddha,
Osadhaṃ uttamaṃ varaṃ The highest and most excellent balm,
Hitaṃ deva‧manussānaṃ. Beneficial to gods and human beings.
Buddha‧tejena sotthinā By the power of the Buddha
Nassant'upaddavā sabbe May all misfortune be destroyed,
Dukkhā vūpasamentu te. May all suffering cease for me.*
Sakkatvā Dhamma‧ratanaṃ I revere the jewel of the Dhamma,
Osadhaṃ uttamaṃ varaṃ The highest and most excellent balm,
Pariḷāh’ūpasamanaṃ. Cooling down the fever of defilements.
Dhamma‧tejena sotthinā By the power of the Dhamma
Nassant'upaddavā sabbe May all misfortune be destroyed,
Bhayā vūpasamentu me. May all fears cease for me. *
Sakkatvā Saṅgha‧ratanaṃ I revere the jewel of the Sangha,
Osadhaṃ uttamaṃ varaṃ The highest and most excellent balm,
Āhuneyyaṃ pāhuneyyaṃ. Worthy of offerings and hospitality.
Saṅgha‧tejena sotthinā By the power of the Sangha
Nassant'upaddavā sabbe May all misfortune be destroyed,
Rogā vūpasamentu me. May all illness cease for me.*

N’atthi me saraṇaṃ aññaṃ For me there is no other refuge,

Buddho me saraṇaṃ varaṃ, The Buddha is my matchless refuge;
Etena saccavajjena By the power of this truth,
Sotthi te hotu sabbadā. May joyous victory be mine.*
N’atthi me saraṇaṃ aññaṃ For me there is no other refuge,
Dhammo me saraṇaṃ varaṃ, The Dhamma is my matchless refuge;
Etena saccavajjena By the power of this truth,
Sotthi te hotu sabbadā. May joyous victory be mine.
N’atthi me saraṇaṃ aññaṃ For me there is no other refuge,
Saṅgho me saraṇaṃ varaṃ, The Sangha is my matchless refuge;
Etena saccavajjena By the power of this truth,
Sotthi te hotu sabbadā. May joyous victory be mine.*

*
W h e n b les s in g o th e rs , re p la c e m e a n d m i ne wi th y o u a n d y o ur s .

8
Yaṅkiñci ratanaṃ loke
Vijjati vividhā puthū
Ratanaṃ Buddha‧samaṃ n’atthi,
Tasmā sotthi bhavantu te.
Yaṅkiñci ratanaṃ loke
Vijjati vividhā puthū
Ratanaṃ Dhamma‧samaṃ n’atthi,
Tasmā sotthi bhavantu te.
Yaṅkiñci ratanaṃ loke
Vijjati vividhā puthū
Ratanaṃ Saṅgha‧samaṃ n’atthi,
Tasmā sotthi bhavantu te.
Whatever jewels may exist in the world,
Numerous and diversified,
There is no jewel equal to the Buddha;
By this truth may there be well-being.
Whatever jewels may exist in the world,
Numerous and diversified,
There is no jewel equal to the Dhamma;
By this truth may there be well-being.
Whatever jewels may exist in the world,
Numerous and diversified,
There is no jewel equal to the Sangha;
By this truth may there be well-being.