• Recent Blog Entries

    Ed Rock

    Catching the Essence of Our Honey Dreams

    We think high and low, we think we know! We think, we think, we think. But can we catch the one who thinks, oh, catcher can you do it? And then, again, the catcher slides Into her honey...

    Ed Rock 14th-May-2012 01:17 AM
    James Taeza

    Conditioning

    Buddham, Dhammam, Sangham namassami. I am very thankful for this opportunity to be able to share my thoughts. Dedicated to Visakha Puja Day this previous weekend. Being acknowledged by...

    James Taeza 8th-May-2012 03:48 PM
    Kendra Jory

    The Rain

    It is raining today and I just love it. I love the rain. It's grey and dark outside but everyone's lights are shining. It is a day where you can give yourself a break and just read or do art all...

    Kendra Jory 7th-May-2012 02:00 AM
    Jonas Rydell

    The entertaining battle

    I have been a devoted listener to Ajahn Brahm and Ajahn Brahmalis Dhamma talks since last year, and it has made it so clear how to progress on the Buddhist path, and also the mindset that is most...

    Jonas Rydell 29th-April-2012 07:57 PM
    Andria Armstrong

    The hopes and needs of a transgender woman

    Hi everyone, hope you are all feeling well. :) I wanted to share something personal, in the hopes that something good can come of it. As I've mentioned at various times and places here on the...

    Andria Armstrong 27th-April-2012 05:34 PM
    Ed Rock

    What Are We?

    What are we beyond the changes and flux that is a fundamental truth within this vast universe of ours, an undeniable fact that affects all matter. What is there? What is the basic principle?...

    Ed Rock 20th-April-2012 10:10 PM
    Jerrod Lopes

    I just remembered something very important.

    There is no suffering. It's only there if you want it. It's an imaginary friend. No suffering. It's a word. Nothing can be adequately described with words. Something as serious as suffering surely...

    Jerrod Lopes 12th-April-2012 01:37 PM
    Ed Rock

    What’s Story Do We Believe?

    What religious story do we believe? Do we believe the story that was burned into our hearts when we were young? Or the story that sounded better than all the rest when we began searching? Or the...

    Ed Rock 12th-April-2012 05:15 AM
  • Blog Comments

    Kendra Jory

    The Rain

    Melbourne sounds very nice :)

    Kendra Jory 16th-May-2012 12:01 AM
    Mark Perrett

    The Rain

    When it's raining I like to turn everything in the house off. Total silence. Nothing but the sweet sounds of nature all around me. I close my eyes and just listen. The rain bouncing off the tin...

    Mark Perrett 15th-May-2012 10:03 AM
    Daniel Ionita

    The Rain

    I love the rain and I love storms as well (as long as they don't cause real damage). Rain makes me feel safer. When I was a kid I lived between a pair of "bad" neighborhoods, whenever it rained I...

    Daniel Ionita 14th-May-2012 01:41 PM
    Kendra Jory

    The Rain

    Thank you Stuart.

    Kendra Jory 11th-May-2012 09:50 PM
    Stuart Corner

    The entertaining battle

    if you hang around for another 20-30-40-50 years lust will diminish noticeably whether you practice meditation or not - it's really is that fickle that it only likes youth and it will only leave you...

    Stuart Corner 10th-May-2012 05:05 PM
    Stuart Corner

    The Rain

    I like being a Buddhist too ... even, 'I am' is an attachment to existence, I guess ... maybe 'there is'??? ... anyway, out of all my many, many attachments, I think I'll leave my attachment to...

    Stuart Corner 10th-May-2012 04:21 PM
  • Donate Centre Expenses

  • Taking the Five Precepts Online

    You may take Refuge and take the Five Buddhist Precepts anytime right here from this page. Even if you have taken them before you can reaffirm them by going to a private place and chanting along (click play on the audio below). Going for Refuge and taking the Precepts define a person as a practising Buddhist.

    Going for Refuge gives a continuous perspective on life by referring to one's conduct and understanding of the qualities of the Buddha (wisdom), Dhamma (truth) and Sangha (virtue). The Precepts are for reflection and to define one's actions as a responsible human being. There is a formal means of requesting Refuge and Precepts from a bhikkhu/bhikkhuni, which is as follows:




    After bowing three times, with hands joined in Anjali, recite the following:

    Mayam Bhante/Aye, tisaranena saha panca siilaani yaacaama
    Dutiyampi mayam Bhante/Aye, tisaranena saha panca siilaani yaacaama
    Tatiyampi mayam Bhante/Aye, tisaranena saha panca siilaani yaacaama
    We, Venerable Sir/Madam, request the three Refuges and the Five Precepts.
    For the second time, we, Venerable Sir/Madam, request the three Refuges and the Five Precepts.
    For the third time, we, Venerable Sir/Madam, request the three Refuges and the Five Precepts.
    Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaasambuddhassa
    Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaasambuddhassa
    Namo tassa bhagavato arahato sammaasambuddhassa

    Buddham saranam gacchaami
    Dhammam saranam gacchaami
    Sangham saranam gacchaami

    Dutiyampi buddham saranam gacchaami
    Dutiyampi dhammam saranam gacchaami
    Dutiyampi sangham saranam gacchaami

    Tatiyampi buddham saranam gacchaami
    Tatiyampi dhammam saranam gacchaami
    Tatiyampi sangha"m saranam gacchaami

    Leader:
    Tisaranagamanam nitthitam

    Response:
    -- Ama Bhante/Aye
    Homage to the Blessed One, the Noble One, the Perfectly Enlightened One.
    Homage to the Blessed One, the Noble One, the Perfectly Enlightened One.
    Homage to the Blessed One, the Noble One, the Perfectly Enlightened One.

    To the Buddha I go for refuge.
    To the Dhamma I go for refuge.
    To the Sangha I go for refuge.

    For the second time, to the Buddha I go for refuge.
    For the second time, to the Dhamma I go for refuge.
    For the second time, to the Sangha I go for refuge.

    For the third time, to the Buddha I go for refuge.
    For the third time, to the Dhamma 1 go for refuge.
    For the third time, to the Sangha I go for refuge.

    Leader:
    This completes the going to the Three Refuges.

    Response:
    -- Yes, Venerable Sir/Madam.


    To undertake the precepts, repeat each precept after the leader:

    1. Paanaatipaataa veramanii sikkhaapadam samaadiyaami
    2. Adinnaadaanaa veramanii sikkhaapadam samaadiyaami
    3. Kaamesu micchaacaaraa veramanii sikkhaapadam samaadiyaami
    4. Musaavaadaa veramanii sikkhaapadam samaadiyaami
    5. Suraamerayamajjapamaadatthaanaa veramanii sikkhaapadam samaadiyaami

    Leader:
    Imaani pañcasikkhaapadaani
    Siilena sugatim yanti
    Siilena bhoga-sampadaa
    Siilena nibbutm yanti
    Tasmaa siilam visodhaye

    Response:
    -- Saadhu, saadhu, saadhu
    -(bow three times)-
    1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.
    2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
    3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual misconduct.
    4. I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.
    5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating liquors and drugs which lead to carelessness.


    Leader:

    These Five Precepts
    Have morality as a vehicle for happiness,
    Have morality as a vehicle for good fortune,
    Have morality as a vehicle for liberation.
    Let morality therefore be purified.

    Response:
    -- Well said, well said, well said!
    -(bow three times)-


    Once you have taken the Five Precepts, if you like, (and you're a community member) you may get Sangha acknowledgement online here