How to Observe “Ājīvaṭṭhamaka Sīla”

In Pāḷi

Lay devotee: Ahaṁ bhante tisaraṇena saha ājīvaṭṭhamaka sīlaṁ dhammaṁ yācāmi anuggahaṁ katvā sīlaṁ detha me bhante.

Dutiyampi ahaṁ bhante … me bhante.

Tatiyampi ahaṁ bhante … me bhante.

Meaning:

Lay devotee: Venerable sir, I ask for the precepts in which the right livelihood is included as the eighth precept together with the Triple Gem. Please administer to me, out of compassion this Ājīvaṭṭhamaka Sīla.

For the second time, venerable sir …

For the third time, venerable sir …

Paying Homage to the Buddha

In Pāḷi

(Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammāsambuddhassa) (to recite three times)

Meaning:

Veneration to the Exalted One, the Homage-Worthy, the Perfectly Self-Enlightened.

In Pāḷi

Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi;

Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi;

Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Dutiyampi Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi;

Dutiyampi Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi;

Dutiyampi Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Tatiyampi Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi;

Tatiyampi Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi;

Tatiyampi Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi.

Meaning:

I take refuge in the Buddha.

I take refuge in the Dhamma.

I take refuge in the Saṅgha.

For the second time, I take refuge in the Buddha.

For the second time, I take refuge in the Dhamma.

For the second time, I take refuge in the Saṅgha.

For the third time, I take refuge in the Buddha.

For the third time, I take refuge in the Dhamma.

For the third time, I take refuge in the Saṅgha.

Undertaking Ājīvaṭṭhamaka Sīla

In Pāḷi

1. Pāṇātipātā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

2. Adinnādānā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

3. Kāmesumicchācārā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

4. Musāvādā veramaṇī sikkhāpadaṃ samādiyāmi.

5. Pisunavācā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṃ samādiyāmi.

6. Pharusavācā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṃ samādiyāmi.

7. Samphappalāpavācā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṃ samādiyāmi.

8. Micchājivā veramaṇī sikkhā-padaṃ samādiyāmi.

Meaning:

1. I observe the precepts of abstaining from taking other’s lives.

2. I observe the precept of abstaining from taking what is not given by the owner.

3. I observe the precept of abstaining from committing sexual misconduct.

4. I observe the precept of abstaining from telling lies.

5. I observe the precept of abstaining from slandering.

6. I observe the precept of abstaining from harsh speech.

7. I observe the precept of abstaining from vain talks.

8. I observe the precept of abstaining from wrong livelihood.

(One need not undertake to observe Ājīvaṭṭhamaka Sīla everyday because one’s morality will remain pure so long as one’s livelihood is pure. However, there is no disadvantage for undertaking Ājīvaṭṭhamaka Sīla everyday).