Ordination Procedure for Novice Monks (with photos and script translation)

Ordination Procedures

CLICK HERE to download (ดาวน์โหลด) the Novice Ordination Script in acrobat version.

Before ordination, the soon-to-be novice would need to seek for forgiveness from parents (if they are present) or guardians. A senior respected monk who is a Upajjhāya (Preceptor) would be invited to perform the ordination.

A prepared set of robes would be formerly offered by the parents/senior family member/ representative to the person who wishes to ordain.

Upon receiving the robes, he then carry them on his forearms with his hands joined in a gesture of respect. Placing the set of robes respectfully, the novices then a tray of offerings (flowers, etc) and respectedfully offer to the Upajjhāya (Preceptor) while prostrating themselves 3 times before the Upajjhaya. Then each one would then kneel down, carrying the set of robes on their forearms, and joining hands in gesture of respect utter the Pali passages in going forth:

E-SĀ-HANG PHAN-TEH เอสาหัง ภันเต *SU-JI-RAK-PA-RI-NIB-PHU-TAM-PI* สุจิระปะรินิพพุตัมปิ TANG PHAK-KHAK-WAN-TANG ตัง ภะคะวันตัง SAK-RAK-NANG KHAD-CHĀ-MI สะระณังคัจฉามิ THAM-MAÑ-JAK ธัมมัญจะ PHIK-KHU-SANG-KHAÑ-JAK ภิกขุสังฆัญจะ		Venerable Sir, we go for refuge to that Lord, through very long attained Parinibanna, together with the Dhamma and the Bhikkhu Sangha.
LAK-PHAI-YĀ-HANG PHAN-TEH ละเภยยาหัง ภันเต TAD-SA PHAK-KHAK-WA-TOH ตัสสะ ภะคะวะโต THAM-MAK-WI-NAK-YEH PAB-PHAD-CHANG ธัมมะวินะเย ปัพพัชชัง		May we obtain, Venerable Sir, the Going-forth (as a Samanera) in the Dhamma-Vinaya of the Lord
THU-TI-YAM-PA-HANG PHAN-TEH ทุปาหัง ภันเต SU-JI-RAK-PA-RI-NIB-PHU-TAM-PI สุจิระปะรินิพพุตัมปิ TANG PHAK-KHAK-WAN-TANG ตัง ภะคะวันตัง *SAK-RAK-NANG KHAD-CHĀ-MI* สะระณัง คัจฉามิ THAM-MAÑ-JAK ธัมมัญจะ PHIK-KHU-SANG-KHAÑ-JAK ภิกขุสังฆัญจะ		For the second time, Venerable Sir, we go for refuge to that Lord, through very long attained Parinibanna, together with the Dhamma and the Bhikkhu Sangha.
LAK-PHAI-YĀ-HANG PHAN-TEH ละเภยยาหัง ภันเต TAD-SA PHAK-KHAK-WA-TOH ตัสสะ ภะคะวะโต THAM-MAK-WI-NAK-YEH PAB-PHAD-CHANG ธัมมะวินะเย ปัพพัชชัง		May we obtain, Venerable Sir, the Going-forth (as a Samanera) in the Dhamma-Vinaya of the Lord
TAK-TI-YAM-PA-HANG PHAN-TEH ตะติยัมปาหัง ภันเต SU-JI-RAK-PA-RI-NIB-PHU-TAM-PI สุจิระปะรินิพพุตัมปิ TANG PHAK-KHAK-WAN-TANG ตัง ภะคะวันตัง SAK-RAK-NANG KHAD-CHĀ-MI สะระณัง คัจฉามิ THAM-MAÑ-JAK ธัมมัญจะ PHIK-KHU-SANG-KHAÑ-JAK ธัมมัญจะ ภิกขุสังฆัญจะ		For the third time, Venerable Sir, we go for refuge to that Lord, through very long attained Parinibanna, together with the Dhamma and the Bhikkhu Sangha.
LAK-PHAI-YĀ-HANG PHAN-TEH ละเภยยาหัง ภันเต TAD-SA PHAK-KHAK-WA-TOH ตัสสะ ภะคะวะโต THAM-MAK-WI-NAK-YEH PAB-PHAD-CHANG ธัมมะวินะเย ปัพพัชชัง		May we obtain, Venerable Sir, the Going-forth (as a Samanera) in the Dhamma-Vinaya of the Lord
MAK-YANG PHAN-TEH PAB-PHAD-CHANG มะยัง ภันเต ปัพพัชชัง YĀ-CA-MAK ยาจามะ		Venerable Sir, we beg for the Going-forth
I-MĀ-NI KĀ-SĀ-YĀ-NI WAD-THĀ-NI อิมานิ กาสายานิ วัตถานิ KHAK-HEH-TAK-WA PAB-PHA-JEH-THAK MANG คะเหตะวา ปัพพาเชถะ มัง PHAN-TEH, AK-NU-KAM-PANG UH-PĀ-THĀ-YAK ภันเต, อะนุกัมปัง อุปาทายะ		Having taken these yellow-robes, please give us the Going-forth, Venerable Sir, out of compassion for us.
THU-TI-YAM-PI MAK-YANG PHAN-TEH ทุติยัมปิ มะยัง ภันเต PAB-PHAD-CHANG YĀ-CA-MAK ปัพพัชชัง ยาจามะ I-MĀ-NI KĀ-SĀ-YĀ-NI WAD-THĀ-NI อิมานิ กาสายานิ วัตถานิ KHAK-HEH-TAK-WA PAB-PHA-JEH-THAK MANG คะเหตะวา, ปัพพาเชถะ มัง PHAN-TEH, AK-NU-KAM-PANG UH-PĀ-THĀ-YAK ภันเต, อะนุกัมปัง อุปาทายะ		For the second time, Venerable Sir, we beg for the Going-forth Having taken these yellow-robes, please give me the Going-forth, Venerable Sir, out of compassion for us.
TAK-TI-YAM-PI MAK-YANG PHAN-TEH ตะติยัมปิ มะยัง ภันเต PAB-PHAD-CHANG YĀ-CA-MAK ปัพพัชชัง ยาจามะ		For the third time, Venerable Sir, we beg for the Going-forth
I-MĀ-NI KĀ-SĀ-YĀ-NI WAD-THĀ-NI อิมานิ กาสายานิ วัตถานิ KHAK-HEH-TAK-WA PAB-PHA-JEH-THAK MANG คะเหตะวา, ปัพพาเชถะ มัง PHAN-TEH, AK-NU-KAM-PANG UH-PĀ-THĀ-YAK ภันเต, อะนุกัมปัง อุปาทายะ		Having taken these yellow-robes, please give us the Going-forth, Venerable Sir, out of compassion for us.

Then the Upajjhāya will receive the applicant’s set of robes. Having placed it in front of himself, he instructs the applicant on the basic knowledge of the Triple Gem (the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha), telling him how he can go to it for the refuge (as moral conduct, meditation and wisdom) and how he can benefit by being ordained. After that the Upajjhāya tells him to commit to memory the following five unattractive parts of the body, and after explaining the meaning and purpose of doing so, recites them in normal and reverse orders. The applicant will then repeat them after him, word by word, as follows:

(In normal order):

KEH-SĀ (hair of the head) เกสา
LO-MĀ (hair of the body) โลมา
NAK-KHĀ (nails) นะขา
THAN-TA (teeth) ทันตา
TAK-JO (skin) ตะโจ

(In reverse order):

TAK-JO (skin) ตะโจ
THAN-TA (teeth) ทันตา
NAK-KHĀ (nails) นะขา
LO-MĀ (hair of the body) โลมา
KEH-SĀ (hair of the head) เกสา

The Upajjhāya now takes the Aṁsa (the shoulder-cloth worn across the left shoulder) out of the set, puts it over the applicant’s head covering his left shoulder.

3. He then hands back to him the rest of the robes, teaching him how to put them on. He then orders the applicant to go out and put on these robes. A Bhikkhu leaves the assembly to help him.

The applicant then carries the set of robes on the forearms as before, with hands joined in the gesture of respect, backs out (walking on his knees) to the edge of the platform/ hall before walking to a suitable place where he will put on the robes.

When he has put on the robes, he goes and prostrate three times (with, as usual the five-point prostration), the applicant, kneeling down, reciting the following passages:

MAK-YANG PHAN-TEH มะยัง ภันเต SAK-RAK-NAK-SI-LANG YĀ-CA-MAK สะระณะสีลัง ยาจามะ		Venerable Sir, we request for the Refuges and the Precepts.
THU-TI-YAM-PI MAK-YANG PHAN-TEH ทุติยัมปิ มะยัง ภันเต SAK-RAK-NAK-SI-LANG YĀ-CA-MAK สะระณะสีลัง ยาจามะ		For the second time, Venerable Sir, we request for the Refuges and the Precepts
TAK-TI-YAM-PI MAK-YANG PHAN-TEH ตะติยัมปิ มะยัง ภันเต SAK-RAK-NAK-SI-LANG YĀ-CA-MAK สะระณะสีลัง ยาจามะ		For the third time, Venerable Sir, we request for the Refuges and the Precepts

4. Salutation and Taking Refuge in the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dhamma & Sangha)

Then the Ācariya (the Teacher or elder Bhikkhu) thrice recites the following preliminary passage in Pāli which the applicant should repeat when he has finished. The passage is as follows:

NAK-MO TAD-SAK PHAK-KHAK-WAK-TOH นะโม ตัสสะ ภะคะวะโต		Homage to the Uncomparable One
AK-RAK-HAK-TOH อะระหะโต		the Worthy Undefiled One
SAM-MĀ-SAM-PHUD-THAD-SAK สัมมาสัมพุทธัสสะฯ		the Perfectly Self-Awakened One

Repeat 3 Times ( ๓ หน)

After instructing the applicant to concentrate his mind on the Triple Gem, the Ācariya chants and the applicant repeats, sentence by sentence, as follows:

PHUD-THANG SAK-RAK-NANG KHAD-CHA-MI พุทธัง สะระนัง คัจฉามิ		To the Buddha I go for refuge
THAM-MANG SAK-RAK-NANG KHAD-CHA-MI ธัมมัง สะระนัง คัจฉามิ		To the Dhamma I go for refuge
SAṄG-KHANG SAK-RAK-NANG KHAD-CHA-MI สังฆัง สะระนัง คัจฉามิ		To the Sangha I go for refuge
*THU-TI-YAM-PI PHUD-THANG* SAK-RAK-NANG KHAD-CHA-MI ทุติยัมปิ พุทธัง สะระนัง คัจฉามิ		For the second time, to the Buddha I go for refuge
*THU-TI-YAM-PI THAM-MANG* SAK-RAK-NANG KHAD-CHA-MI ทุติยัมปิ ธัมมัง สะระนัง คัจฉามิ		For the second time, to the Dhamma I go for refuge
THU-TI-YAM-PI SAṄG-KHANG SA-RA-NANG KHA-CHA-MI ทุติยัมปิ สังฆัง สะระนัง คัจฉามิ		For the second time, to the Sangha I go for refuge
TAK-TI-YAM-PI PHUD-THANG SAK-RAK-NANG KHAD-CHA-MI ตะติยัมปิ พุทธัง สะระนัง คัจฉามิ		For the third time, to the Buddha I go for refuge
TAK-TI-YAM-PI THAM-MANG SAK-RAK-NANG KHAD-CHA-MI ตะติยัมปิ ธัมมัง สะระนัง คัจฉามิ		For the third time, to the Dhamma I go for refuge
TAK-TI-YAM-PI SAṄG-KHANG SAK-RAK-NANG KHAD-CHA-MI ตะติยัมปิ สังฆัง สะระนัง คัจฉามิ		For the third time, to the Sangha I go for refuge

Then the Ācariya says “SA-RA-NA-KHA-MA-NANG NID-THI-TANG” (สะระณะคะมะนัง นิฏฐิตัง) (this is the end of Going for Refuge) and the applicant replies: ĀH-MA PHAN-TEH (อามะ ภันเต) (Yes, Venerable Sir)

5. Giving the Ten Precepts

Now the Ācariya tells the applicant that the ordination as a Sāmanera (novice) is completed. Since he is now a Sāmanera he has to study and practice the Ten Precepts for Sāmaneras. He should chant them after the Ācariya, clause by clause, as follows:

THE TEN PRECEPTS

1. PA-NA-TI-PA-TA WEH-RAK-MAK-NI ปาณาติปาตา เวระมะณี		I undertake the training precept to abstain from killing.
2.AK-THIN-NA-THA-NA WEH-RAK-MAK-NI อะทินนาทานา เวระมะณี		I undertake the training precept to abstain from taking what is not given.
3.AK-PHRAH-MAK-JAK-RI-YA WEH-RAK-MAK-NI อะพรัหมะจะริยา เวระมะณี		I undertake the training precept to abstain from all kinds of sexual activity.
4. MU-SA-WA-THA WEH-RAK-MAK-NI มุสาวาทา เวระมะณี		I undertake the training precept to abstain from telling lies.
5. SU-RA-MEH-RAK-YAK-MAD-CHA-PAK-NA-THAD-THA-NA WEH-RAK-MAK-NI สุราเมระยะมัชชะปะมาทัฎฐานา เวระมะณี		I undertake the training precept to abstain from any kind of intoxicants.
6. WI-KA-LAK-PHO-CHAK-NA WEH-RAK-MAK-NI วิกาละโภชะนา เวระมะณี		I undertake the training precept to abstain from eating at the wrong time.
7. NAD-JAK-KHI-TAK WA-THI-TA WI-SU-KAK-THAD-SAK-NA WEH-RAK-MAK-NI นัจจะคีตะวาทิตะวิสูกะทัสสะนา เวระมะณี		I undertake the training precept to abstain from dancing, singing, music and any kind of entertaiment show.
8. MA-LA-KHAN-THAK-WI-LEH-PAK-NAK-THA-RAK-NAK-MAN-THAK-NAK-WI-PHU-SAK-NAD-THA-NA WEH-RAK-MAK-NI มาลาคันธะวิเลปะนะธาระณะมัณฑะนะวิภูสะนัฎฐานา เวระมะณี		I undertake the training precept to abstain from the use of flowers, garlands, perfumes, unguents and things that tend to beautify and adorn a person.
9. UD-JA-SAK-YAK-NAK- MAK- HA- SAK-YAK-NA WEH-RAK-MAK-NI อุจจาสะยะนะมะหาสะยะนา เวระมะณี		I undertake the training precept to abstain from using high and luxurious beds and seats.
10. CHA-TAK-RU-PAK-RAK-CHAK-TAK-PAK-TIK-KHAK-HAK-NA WEH-RAK-MAK-NI ชาตะรูปะระชะตะปะฎิคคะหะณา เวระมะณี		I undertake the training precept to abstain accepting and holding any kind of money, gold or silver (money)

I-MA-NI THAK-SAK SIK-KHA-PAK-THA-NI SAK-MA-THI-YA-MI (3x)
อิมานิ ทะสะ สิกขาปะทานิ สะมาทิยามิฯ
(I undertake these Ten Rules of Training)

The Preceptor would then followed by advise to the newly ordained novice example on observance of precepts, intend and sincerity in practice. The newly novice would then pay respect and offer Sanghadana. After that, the Preceptor and senior monks would chant transferance of merit. The novice to dedicate the merits from the ordination to his parents and guardians- may they rejoice in the merits. In Thailand, this is often followed by the symbolic pouring of water as transferance of merit is recited:

Further Guide:

CLICK HERE to download (ดาวน์โหลด) the Novice Ordination Script in acrobat version.

How to chant (audio): To learn how to chant the script, you may refer to this video The Buddhist Ordination Chanting by Phra Maha Nayok of Wat Bowonniwet Wihan– the first 6 minutes is for novice and after that is for Bhikkhu.

ASKING FORGIVENESS FROM BUDDHA, DHAMMA & SANGHA

Asking Forgiveness from the Buddha:

KA-YEH-NAK WA-JA-YAK WA-JEH-TAK-SA WA กาเยนะ วาจายะ วะเจตะสา วา		By body, by speech, or by mind
PHUD-THEH KU-KAM-MANG PAK-KAK-TANG MAK-YA-YANG พุทเธ กุกัมมัง ปะกะตัง มะยายัง		Whatever bad kamma I have done to the Buddha
PHUD-THO PAK-TIK-KHAN-HAK-TU AD-JAK YAN-TANG พุทโธ ปะฏิคคัณหะตุ อัจจะ ยันตัง		May the Buddha accept my admission of it
KA-LAN-TAK-REH SANG-WAK-RI-TUNG WAK PHUD-THEH กาลันตะเร สังวะริตุง วะพุทเธ		So that in the future I may show restraint toward the Buddha

Asking Forgiveness from the Dhamma:

KA-YEH-NAK WA-JA-YAK WA-JEH-TAK-SA WA กาเยนะ วาจายะ วะเจตะสา วา		By body, by speech, or by mind
THAM-MEH KU-KAM-MANG PAK-KAK-TANG MAK-YA-YANG ธัมเม กุกัมมัง ปะกะตัง มะยายัง		Whatever bad kamma I have done to the Dhamma
*THAM-MO PAK-TIK-KHAN-HAK-TU* *AD-JAK YAN-TANG* ธัมโม ปะฏิคคัณหะตุ อัจจะ ยันตัง		May the Dhamma accept my admission of it
KA-LAN-TAK-REH SANG-WAK-RI-TUNG WAK THAM-MEH กาลันตะเร สังวะริตุง วะ ธัมเม		So that in the future I may show restraint toward the Dhamma

Asking Forgiveness from the Sangha:

KA-YEH-NAK WA-JA-YAK WA-JEH-TAK-SA WA กาเยนะ วาจายะ วะเจตะสา วา		By body, by speech, or by mind
SANG-KHEH KU-KAM-MANG PAK-KAK-TANG MAK-YA-YANG สังเฆ กุกัมมัง ปะกะตัง มะยายัง		Whatever bad kamma I have done to the Sangha
SANG-KHO PAK-TIK-KHAN-HAK-TU AD-JAK YAN-TANG สังโฆ ปะฏิคคัณหะตุ อัจจะ ยันตัง		May the Sangha accept my admission of it
KA-LAN-TAK-REH SANG-WAK-RI-TUNG WAK SANG-KHEH กาลันตะเร สังวะริตุง วะ สังเฆ		So that in the future I may show restraint toward the Sangha